If someone’s bail is set at 100,000 and you pay it. The person goest to court you get the 100,000 bail back. If you choose to go to a go to a bond agency you will pay about 10,000 or ten percent but you don’t get that back even if the person goes to court when they are suppose to.
May have been the difference in price based on whether you went through a bail bondsman or paid bond directly to the court. Bail through a bondsman is usually a percentage of the bond amount set by the court. The court does not have to allow you the option to go through a bondsman, they can require bond paid directly to the court in the full amount AND they can then apply that bond money to any fees, fines, restitution, etc.
So, (1) don’t ever pay bail or bond for a criminal because the likelihood of getting it back is probably about zero and (2) don’t hang out with criminals - they’re more trouble than they’re worth. Finally, don’t ever stiff a bail bondsman. Heaven only knows what lengths they might go to to get their money back.