Consumers don't enjoy extra fees, but retailers and restaurants keep finding new charges to add at checkout. In doing so, however, businesses are taking a significant risk with add-on fees at the point of sale, as the vast majority of consumers don’t approve.
That’s not stopping retailers and eateries from charging consumers extra fees, some moderately familiar and some brand new. Those fees are becoming increasingly frustrating for consumers, both in stores and online. “As businesses navigate rising costs, many are tacking on surprise charges that chip away at customer trust and satisfaction,” said Lucia Lu, senior analyst at Nextpins, a business solutions firm, via email to NTD.
Rising labor expenses, high inflation, and thinner profit margins can leave businesses no choice but to get creative with fees. “That scenario typically leads to checkout shock charges, therefore undermining consumer confidence in the process,” Lu noted.
What are the most unexpected or onerous new retail and restaurant add-on fees?
'Kitchen Appreciation' Fees
These fees, added to restaurant bills, can be particularly annoying to diners, who believe the cost of their burger or salad already covers kitchen labor.Reservation fees
These fees have begun popping up at restaurants and hotels, golf courses, and spas, among other service spots.Credit Card Fees
Credit card charges aren’t exactly new, but they’ve become more pervasive as fewer consumers use cash to pay for goods and services.“Credit card fees are generally the worst because it’s a sizable cost compared to the final price at checkout,” said Greg Zakowicz, senior ecommerce expert at Omnisend, an ecommerce marketing automation platform, by email to NTD.
Tariff Fees
Tariff recovery surcharges typically appear in specialty shops and certain restaurants as a 1 percent to 5 percent extra charge on specific imported items.Convenience Fees
Online ticket sellers apply convenience fees that start at around $2 and climb well into double digits. “The fees are supposed to cover costs related to the automated process that seems to cost them very little,” Andreani noted.Expanded Point-of-Sale Tipping Fees
These point-of-sale screens flash preset tip suggestions of up to 20-30 percent for various services, from takeout coffee to pizza delivery.How to Defend Against Add-On Fees
It’s not easy avoiding 2025-era added fees, but there are some defensive steps consumers can take to curb the cost charges.“The real trick here is knowing where to look, because businesses don’t make it easy,” Elizabeth Rivelli, a personal finance analyst at Best Money, a money management advisory platform, told NTD.
Rivelli advises consumers to focus on those tiny disclaimers at the bottom of menus, the collapsed "terms" section on digital checkout pages, and the emailed receipt after you’ve already paid.
“That’s where they stash the hidden details,” she said. “Also watch for slippery phrasing like 'administrative fee' or 'mandatory gratuity,' which could mean anything. Some places even bake fees into the tax line, hoping you won’t notice.” Consumers can also ask service providers to waive extra fees. “If you get hit anyway, dispute it; credit card companies often side with customers on undisclosed fees,” Rivelli added.