UK Government ministers have been warned their “feet will be held to the fire” after they pledged to review excessive delivery fees to the north of Scotland.
Outraged customers across the region have banded together to speak out about extra charges added to deliveries after it emerged prices can be up to four times more than the rest of the country.
Some have revealed that costs of up to £75 have been added to deliveries of online purchases based purely on where they live.
Richard Lochhead: Time to stop rip-off delivery charges once and for all
Now the UK Government has pledged to review evidence collected by Ofcom, who regulate postal services, in order to get a fair deal for Scottish customers.
Last night, Moray MSP Richard Lochhead, who has spearheaded the Fair Delivery Charges campaign, described the momentum for action as “unstoppable”.
He said: “UK ministers have responded to the campaign by agreeing to review the behaviour of those retailers that discriminate against many customers on the basis of location. I’ll be holding their feet to the fire.
“It’s a farce, and in many cases downright illegal, for retailers to exclude the north of Scotland from the definition of ‘UK mainland’.”
Robert Boyle, from Keith, was quoted £50 by Lloyds Pharmacy, who have since reviewed their policies, for a mobility scooter to be delivered to his home for his terminally ill wife.
Politicians and businesses welcome “breakthrough” in delivery charges campaign
Other examples include a similar surcharge to have £5.99 handtowels delivered to Speyside and Aberdeenshire-based Brewdog charging extra to deliver to the Highlands compared to the south of England.
Yesterday, Mr Boyle welcomed the fact that action was “finally” being taken to stamp out the excess fees.
He said: “It’s high time that this happened. It’s ridiculous to charge to Scotland, when they wouldn’t charge to deliver to Cornwall, which is just as far from the depot that I bought the scooter from.”
The UK Government’s Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, Margot James, will now work with The Consumer Protection Partnership following a two-year study by Ofcom.
She said: “It is legal for delivery companies to make differential charges but ‘they have a duty to consider the fairness of their pricing structures’, and they have a legal obligation to ensure that delivery charges are clear to consumers before they order.
“I will work to establish a review of the evidence collected so far on the issue to see what more can be done to protect Scottish consumers.”
Moray MP Douglas Ross added: “I’m determined to use all the avenues open to me to see this scandalous practice brought to an end. This announcement is welcome step forward but more has to be done and I will focus my efforts on getting the right outcome for Moray and the other areas affected.”
