Site targets delivery fee rip-offs

A new online tool has been launched to track unfair delivery charges in rural areas.

The facility from Scotland’s new consumer advice service consumeradvice.scot will collect vital intelligence as part of a campaign to tackle misleading advertising and sales tactics.

The service asks consumers to fill out an online form at www. consumeradvice.scot/ whereby delivery and relevant information will be passed on to the appropriate authorities for investigation.

The annual cost of extra delivery fees paid by Scottish consumers has reached £40 million, according to data obtained by MSP Richard Lochhead, who has been leading the campaign against the unfair practice.

Examples, which have already been raised in Holyrood, include a sofa that cost £299, with a delivery charge of £600 to postcode IV25.

Mr Lochhead said: “I’m delighted that this new project is being launched to allow consumers to play their part in tackling these unjustifiable sky-high parcel delivery surcharges that are hitting the pockets of families and businesses in many parts of Scotland.

“I have no doubt that this initiative will provide many examples of the ludicrous surcharges that some online retailers and their couriers are getting away with, especially during the festive period.”

David Mackenzie, of Highland Council’s Trading Standards Service, said:

“We have had significant success tackling unfair delivery surcharges, with many sellers up and down the country changing their practices after Trading Standards intervention.

“But with e-commerce continuing to grow and new firms coming online all the time, we are dependent on the public continuing to report matters to us.”