Halfords revises its £50 online delivery charges

HALFORDS has revised delivery charges for the north of Scotland after a £50 delivery charge to send towels costing £5.99 to Speyside was criticised by politicians.

The high street chain said the fee was exceptional for an online exclusive product but that a £2.99 fee would now be charged.

It said the usual £2.99 delivery costs apply to the Highlands and Islands region in more than 95 per cent of all online purchases.

But the firm pointed out the exception was when a customer purchased from its specialist Halfords Marketplace online site, which is used by smaller independent retailers that deliver direct.

The issue was raised by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who described the charge as “shocking” after it was brought to her attention by Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead.

He said rural constituents were being “fleeced”.

A Halfords spokesman said: “We agree the previous charge did not make sense if a Marketplace customer was ordering one item at a small cost. Having completed a review, we have reduced the carriage costs to a standard £2.99.

“All suppliers have been notified. Halfords will subsidise the difference whenever the carriage cost is more. We would like to apologise for the frustration this charge has caused for our Marketplace customers.”

Moray MP Angus Robertson, who had written to bosses about the higher charge, said: “Halfords’ decision to quickly review and change its delivery charges policy so that a flat rate now applies regardless of where the customer lives is a very welcome change of heart.”