Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD SEEKS MEETING WITH WAYFAIR OVER DELIVERY CHARGES RIP OFF

Richard Lochhead MSP has written to the Chief Executive of Wayfair seeking talks over the companies delivery charges policy.

Moray’s MSP has led the campaign against unfair delivery charges and Wayfair’s policy is often raised with him by consumers across Scotland.  The online retailer offers free delivery on orders over £40, however, free delivery is not available for ‘remote areas’.  Wayfair lists 13 mainland UK postcodes as ‘remote areas’, 12 of which are in Scotland and include Moray, Aberdeen, and Inverness.

Mr Lochhead has led the campaign against unfair parcel delivery charges, which costs Scottish consumers an additional £38.1m per year compared to the rest of the UK. 

SNP MSP Richard Lochhead launched his Fair Delivery Charges campaign to target online retailers who apply excessive delivery surcharges to shoppers in Moray and the north of Scotland.

The campaign has received cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament, and has been backed by online retailers such as eBay. The Advertising Standards Authority has also investigated a dossier of over 200 companies referred by Mr Lochhead.

Commenting SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said:

“Over the last two years I’ve been inundated with examples of companies who are guilty of adding whopping surcharges for deliveries to Moray and the north of Scotland. 

“More and more people are complaining to me about Wayfair’s ridiculous surcharges – there’s no doubt that Wayfair is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to fleecing online customers in Scotland. 

“With 12 of the 13 mainland postcodes exempt from free delivery being in Scotland, it is quite clear that Wayfair’s delivery policy discriminates against Scottish consumer.  The company’s policy to charge up to £40 for delivery to areas across the country is one reason why these surcharges are costing shoppers in Scotland an extra £38m a year compared to the rest of the UK.

“This is just another example of why I’m urging the UK Government to consider legislation to curb this kind of behaviour and I hope Wayfair will agree to meet with me soon so I can try to persuade them to change their policy.”