Getting a visa at the border (Australian)

For some reason people (including LP) continue to be very cautious about getting a visa at the border, and there doesn't seem to be much from people who come from Jordan.
I took a taxi from Amman (11JD) and had no problems, other than being charged an eye watering US$75 for a visa. As soon as the immigration guy saw my passport he told me Australians pay $75, go and get my temperature checked by the doctor, pay the cashier and then take the papers to him. It took all of five minutes, and no mention at all of not having a visa. The fee als seemed genuine as he gave me a reciept - but I haven't met anyone else who paid such a huge amount - but as the fee in Australia is $100 so I can't really complain.

I also met an American who paid only $18, but had to wait a couple of hours.

Seems anyone can get a visa at the border - but some people have to wait.

One word of warning - the immigration guy lied to me and told me it was a multiple entry visa. When I tried to enter Lebanon I checked with the Syrian immigration and they told me that border visas are never multiple entry - so I didn't get to go to Lebanon.

I'm a little confused - do you mean a visa for Syria? It's not obvious from your story, other than the fact that you took a taxi from Amman.

Syrian visa for Australians was usd 30 last year it has gone up to usd 60 at bar with that for people from EU countries
For Americans if you get visa in your country at the embassy costs usd 131,unlike getting it at the borders it costs only usd 16 an a few hours waiting time
Multiple entry and double entry visa can only be obtained from Syrian embassy

I don't get how they charge US citizens $131 at the embassy and only, according to several reports I've now read, $16 to $18 at the border. Sure you have to wait, and yes, a long time, but whats with the dramatic price difference?

I applied here in the US (with Irish passport), cost $100 (got a multiple entry for 6 months) after reading they were charging $50 at the border.

The US cost doesn't make a lot of sense? .... unless there's a waiting time discount!!!

Yes lot of things dsnt make sense to governments .the visa cost is one of those things apparently.Well may be the discount for time waiting!!!