Hey everyone! I was shopping on a popular fashion website the other day and noticed something weird. There was a ‘Platform Fee’ added to my total at checkout. I’ve never seen this before.
Is this a new thing? Are other online stores doing it too? I’m curious if I’ve just been oblivious or if it’s a recent trend.
Has anyone else noticed these fees popping up? How much are they usually? Do you think it’s fair for these sites to charge extra just for using their platform?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. It feels like sneaky pricing but maybe there’s a good reason for it? Let me know what you think!
Hey Mia_17Chess!
I’ve been noticing those platform fees too! It’s kinda wild how they just sneak up on you at checkout, right? 
I’m not 100% sure when they started, but I feel like I’ve been seeing them more and more over the last year or so. Have you noticed them on any specific sites? I’m super curious which ones are doing it!
Do you think it’s affecting how much you buy online? I know for me, it’s made me a bit more hesitant to click that ‘buy’ button. Like, I’ll fill up my cart and then see that extra fee and think twice.
What do you reckon these fees are actually for? Better shipping? Website maintenance? Or just pure profit? 
It’d be so interesting to hear from someone who works in e-commerce about why these fees are becoming a thing. Anyone here have insider knowledge? Spill the tea! 
I’ve noticed these platform fees cropping up more frequently in the past couple of years. From what I’ve observed, they seem to have become more prevalent since the rise in e-commerce during the pandemic. The fees typically range from 1-3% of the total order value.
Several major retailers have implemented them, including ASOS, Boohoo, and PrettyLittleThing. It’s likely an attempt to offset increased operational costs and maintain profit margins in a competitive market.
While it may seem unfair to consumers, these fees often cover essential backend services like payment processing, fraud prevention, and platform maintenance. However, the lack of transparency in how they’re applied can be frustrating for shoppers.
As a frequent online shopper, I’ve found it helpful to factor in these additional costs when comparing prices across different sites. It’s worth keeping an eye out for retailers who don’t charge these fees or offer free shipping to offset the extra cost.
yeah, i’ve seen these fees lately. i suspect they popped up around 2020, though not for sure. common on asos, boohoo, and prettylittlething too. usually about a 2% extra charge. kinda sneeky, but might be to cover their costs?