TL; DR
- Flipkart adds a ₹355 “offer handling fee” on iPhone 17 orders, while Amazon charges ₹199, inflating already premium prices.
- These fees vary by device (₹321 on Nothing Phone 3) and have jumped from earlier ₹49 to ₹69 to hundreds today.
- You can avoid these surcharges by opting for offline stores or other platforms without such add-ons.
E-commerce platforms in India, led by Flipkart and Amazon, have increasingly introduced various handling and platform fees. This is only inflating costs on premium devices like the iPhone 17. Our recent findings highlight Flipkart charging ₹355 as an “offer handling fee” for iPhone 17 orders, with Amazon adding ₹199 for the same.
These fees appear fixed but fluctuate across products; for instance, the Nothing Phone 3 incurs around ₹321, suggesting device-specific pricing tied to value or promotions.
These extra fees just keep getting more and more
Historically, such charges began emerging around 2022 to 2023 as platforms sought to offset operational costs. Flipkart first rolled out handling fees for cash-on-delivery orders in late 2022, charging extra for logistics.
By October 2023, “offer handling fees” became common, starting at ₹49 for discounts during sales. These evolved into layered charges: secure packaging (₹59 to ₹69), payment handling (₹54), and “protect promise” (₹129 to ₹149), often totaling ₹200 to ₹300 on mobiles.
ALSO READ: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. iPhone Air: All The Differences Explained In One Place
Fees have risen steadily; what was ₹50 in early 2025 jumped to ₹150 by mid-year, non-refundable even on cancellations. Flipkart added a ₹3 platform fee in August 2024, just like the quick-commerce platforms.
Amazon followed suit, introducing a ₹49 processing fee on bank discounts ≥₹500 in March 2025, affecting all users including Prime members. By June 2025, it implemented a flat ₹5 marketplace fee per order, excluding quick-commerce but applying universally otherwise.
Opinion
These platforms have grown too comfortable, turning optional perks into hidden tolls that erode trust. While sellers face reduced referral fees on low-value items (e.g., Amazon waived them below ₹300 in 2025), end-users bear the brunt.
For iPhone 17 buyers, going through Apple Stores, authorized resellers, or other platforms without such charges can help save money. And as these fees keep increasing, there is a growing need for regulatory action to protect consumer rights.
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