End unfair surcharges on Highlanders, Finnie demands
John Finnie MSP is to urge the Scottish Government and online retailers to take action to end unfair surcharges on customers in the Highlands and Islands.
The demand will come tomorrow (Thursday September 24) when he hosts a Scottish Parliament debate on the problem.
According to research by Citizens’ Advice Scotland, around half of online retailers charge extra for delivery to the Highlands and Islands, with the average surcharge costing customers over £14.
Mr Finnie will call on the Scottish Government to extend Road Equivalent Tariff ferry fares to larger vehicles to cut the cost of delivery to the islands, and to work with retailers, delivery companies and ferry operators to consolidate deliveries.
He will also tell retailers to reduce or scrap surcharges, and to make use of all options including delivering to local shops and post offices for collection.
Mr Finnie said: “Online shopping is hugely important for people in rural and remote areas, which has brought them access to shopping choices that people in big cities take for granted. But with around half of online retailers charging often extortionate delivery surcharges, and some refusing to deliver to parts of the Highlands and Islands altogether, consumers in our part of Scotland are paying an unfair postcode penalty.
“The good news is that the proportion of retailers that charge the penalty is slowly coming down, but the average surcharge from those that still do has gone up from £12 three years ago to £14 today.
“Citizens’ Advice Scotland have even reported absurd delivery charges, like £40 to deliver a £6 roll of parcel tape, and £50 on a bakery tool costing just £1.15.
“I’m calling on all online retailers to look at the example of the 50% of their competitors who don’t penalise customer in rural Scotland, and examine whether their charges are really necessary. I suspect most companies who took the time to look at the situation would find they could reduce or scrap the surcharge.
“The Scottish Government can help reduce delivery costs by taking the initiative to bring together retailers, couriers, and ferry operators including state-owned CalMac to find ways to consolidate deliveries. With a little innovation and collaboration, there’s no reason why every retailer should have to make a separate trip to every village or island – we can work smarter than that.”
Mr Finnie urging the Scottish Government to cut the cost of delivering to the islands in particular by extending the Road Equivalent Tariff fare structure to larger delivery vehicles.
“If that is ever to happen, the retailers must commit to passing on the saving to customers.
“I’m very pleased to have been able to bring this issue to the Scottish Parliament chamber for debate. As always, I’m thankful for the great work of Citizens’ Advice Scotland, whose research and campaigning has been fundamental to challenging the postcode penalty.”
