Right, but you are most likely an 'average' retail trader-- the MMs, big boys, etc. - with large accounts and leverage accordingly can MARGIN these costs-- they don't pay them-- it's a bet-- which is why they scramble to cover when the price moves-- we the people can literally catch them with their pants down if we buy big when we see shorting occurring- it forces them to then purchase the shares they thought they could profit from shorting.