Areas of Scotland are subject to some of the highest fees and longest delivery times in the UK, and in some cases customers are refused any service at all. The issue is most severe in island communities and the Highlands where charges can be as high as £18.60 per delivery and goods arrive up to 3 days later than other parts of the UK.
The session will examine how prevalent high delivery charges are in Scotland, which areas are most affected and if additional costs reflect the real economic cost of delivering goods. Finally, it will look at what options exist for reducing or eliminating charges.
Witnesses being called include representatives from:
- Citizens Advice Scotland
- Ofcom
- Amazon
- Argos
- eBay
- DPD
Many customers and small businesses relying on delivery services to get goods to customers across the whole of UK have complained for years about these higher charges, which on the face of it, can be for taking a parcel a few extra miles compared to the next tier down of charges for delivery.
Announcing the session, Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, Pete Wishart MP commented "High charges and lengthy delivery times are yet another thing that makes it just that little bit harder for people and businesses outside the major population centres in Scotland. If you are paying £15 more to get something delivered and having to wait three more days to receive it then it makes a real difference to whether your business is competitive or not.
When we announced this session last month we invited the people of Scotland to tell us about their experiences of high delivery charges and the impact it has had on them. I am very pleased with the response we received and this will help inform our questioning."
When we announced this session last month we invited the people of Scotland to tell us about their experiences of high delivery charges and the impact it has had on them. I am very pleased with the response we received and this will help inform our questioning."
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