15min: Additional E-Commerce Fees: What’s Behind the Price Difference?

Recently, 15min, one of the largest free news portals in Lithuania, published an article discussing additional e-commerce fees, such as packaging and service charges. Customers often feel disappointed when a small €4 purchase ends up costing around €10. So, what causes this price difference, and is it fair?

I shared my insights and information with 15min.lt. There are several reasons why these additional fees have become more common.

First, the creation and maintenance of an e-commerce channel has often been more of an investment than a direct revenue source. The biggest losses have been felt by physical store owners. For many of them, e-commerce was initially seen as an additional service rather than a primary sales channel.

In Lithuania, sellers previously avoided directly adding these fees, fearing it would drive customers away. However, the situation is changing. Many businesses now face the reality that there are simply not enough margins left to cover the additional costs related to online sales.

Moreover, e-commerce channels require significant investments. These include warehousing, logistics, platform maintenance, customer service, and ongoing support. The costs of these operations are often much higher than customers realize.

The e-commerce market is maturing, and along with it, business models are improving. In order to provide high-quality service, these fees are becoming an essential part of sustainable business practices. The key question remains: are these additional fees justified if the service quality is truly top-notch