Rhode Fees Hit Your Wallet: The Hidden Charge You Probably Missed Is Now Squeezing Household Budgets
That new jar of honey, beauty cream, or local snack you just bought might cost more than you think, thanks to a quiet new "rhode" surcharge sneaking onto receipts. Starting this month, several major grocery chains and online retailers have added a tiny line item labeled "rhode logistics fee" to shipments and in-store purchases across the Northeast and Midwest. While each charge looks small—usually 15 to 50 cents per item—consumer watchdogs say it compounds fast on families already fighting inflation. "This is a pure wallet grab disguised as a regulatory cost," warns Laura Kim of the National Consumer League. "Check every single receipt. If you see 'rhode,' dispute it at the register. That money is meant for your coffee fund, not theirs." Retailers claim the fee covers a new state recycling mandate, but critics argue the charge was never approved by voters, leaving you to foot a bill you had no say in.