Raileurope offers a service that charges the higher reservations fees. They are high. Indeed, DB charges only E 3, per trip, including 2 segments if needed.

But the DB rules don't apply. This is the free market.

That's why I never buy anything from them, passes or otherwise. Seat reservations, if I get them, I would get in Europe. You can get them in Germany for Spanish trains and vice versa, so it doesn't matter where you go first.

And, you can find agencies selling rail passes that do not charge a handling/mailing fee. Those are the ones I patronize. Pass ordered on a Sunday night; arrived Tuesday at noon, from Florida to west coast.