Deutsche Post warns of costly mail forwarding ‘price trap’ as third‑party sellers charge up to €130
Deutsche Post warns consumers about an online mail forwarding ‘price trap’ after finding third‑party services charge up to €130 for six months, while its direct online fee is €32. Check official offers before ordering.
The national postal operator Deutsche Post has issued a consumer warning about inflated fees for mail forwarding arranged through third‑party websites. The company says many customers are steered to external providers that advertise forwarding services but charge substantially more than the postal operator’s direct rate. Deutsche Post highlighted that around 350,000 forwarding orders end up with third‑party firms each year, a pattern it describes as a “price trap.”
Deutsche Post flags third‑party ‘price trap’
Deutsche Post, based in Bonn, described the practice as a cost risk for people who move or need mail redirected during extended absence. The company said third‑party providers typically forward the request to the postal service anyway and keep a large markup. Consumers may therefore pay a premium without receiving additional benefits beyond the forwarding itself.
Price comparison: €32 versus up to €130
According to the postal operator, a six‑month mail forwarding order placed directly on the Deutsche Post online platform costs €32. Third‑party providers that market similar six‑month services online charge as much as €130, the company said, leaving a margin of roughly €100 for the intermediary. Deutsche Post presented these figures to underline the gap between its regulated service fee and the higher prices marketed by private resellers.
How third‑party services process orders
Deutsche Post explained that many third parties act as resellers rather than independent carriers: they collect customer details and then submit the forwarding request to the postal operator. In most cases the postal operator performs the actual mail handling and delivery, while the external site retains the difference in price. The company argues this model can mislead consumers into paying for value they do not receive.
Consumer impact and practical advice
Customers who are planning a move or a long absence should compare offers carefully before paying for mail forwarding, Deutsche Post advised. Individuals should check the official Deutsche Post website or use its customer service channels to confirm current rates and to place forwarding orders directly. Comparing total costs and verifying whether a provider actually performs the forwarding—or merely passes the request on—can prevent unnecessary expense.
Regulatory and industry considerations
The presence of high‑margin resellers raises questions about transparency in online marketplaces and advertising practices, experts say. Where intermediaries use prominent advertising or search‑engine placements, consumers may assume they are buying a postal product directly and fail to notice higher fees. Regulators and consumer protection groups commonly encourage clearer disclosure of fees and actual service providers in such cases.
What customers should check before buying
Before completing a purchase, consumers should verify the seller’s identity, read terms describing the service, and confirm whether the postal operator will be the executing carrier. Looking for explicit pricing comparisons and searching the official Deutsche Post portal for its direct forwarding fee can reveal significant differences. If in doubt, customers can contact Deutsche Post customer support to confirm whether a specific offer is legitimate or to place the order through the operator directly.
The postal operator’s warning spotlights a broader issue in online service markets: when routine post services are resold via third parties, higher prices can result without added convenience or security. For most household moves and temporary relocations, ordering mail forwarding directly from the postal operator is the most straightforward and cost‑effective option.
