You know theres a difference with small and large hosting companies, smaller companies get free IP space from their upstream providers.
However they whistle a different tune when they have to pay 2250 for a /19 or /20
Granted i'm more than happy to give out ip space if they can justify it i'm recooping my costs, however if i have someone that wants a /24 for no real particular reason.. theres going to be a cost somewhere.
Another few weeks and I should have my /19 from arin.
side note if your requesting a /24 i'm pretty sure you could afford it.