Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD SLAMS £37.99 DELIVERY CHARGE FOR £5.99 PLANT

CASE RAISED JUST DAYS AFTER UK GOVERNMENT MINISTER RULES OUT ACTION 

Moray’s MSP has written to Jackson’s Nurseries in Staffordshire after a constituent from Glenlivet went to buy a plant costing £5.99 but then faced a £37.99 delivery charge.

Mr Lochhead – who continues to be inundated with delivery charges cases – has called on the company to review their current delivery policy in order to ensure that customers in the north of Scotland are benefit from the same delivery charges as other customers on the UK Mainland. The company charges £9.99 on order over £9.99 for delivery to the UK Mainland, and £11.99 for orders under £9.99.

The constituent raised this case with the MSP just days after the Conservative UK Government ruled out legislation to tackle unfair delivery charges. The Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, Kelly Tolhurst MP, confirmed that no legislation would be introduced to end rip off parcel delivery surcharges in Westminster Hall debate.

Moray’s SNP MSP has highlighted the recent case to demonstrate some of the ludicrous charges being imposed on his constituents and is once again calling on the UK Government to take action urgently.

Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“Time and time again companies charge customers in Moray and rural Scotland unfair and excessive parcel delivery costs.

“Although some companies have changed their policies, I continue to be inundated with cases where consumers in Moray are charged more for delivery than elsewhere in the UK, but a £37.99 delivery charge for a £5.99 plant is yet another case that beggars belief.

“I have written to the company to ask that they review their policy and bring their delivery charges for customers in the north of Scotland into line with what they charge shoppers in the rest of the UK mainland. And if companies like this one are passing on extra charges from their couriers, then they should challenge their courier or use another that won’t penalise shoppers in the north of Scotland.

“This is just the latest example of consumers in Moray having to put up with extortionate parcel delivery charges and with the rise in online shopping it is frankly high time that the Conservative Government acted to curb this daylight robbery.

“Just this week the UK Government Minister responsible once again ruled out legislation, despite repeated cross-party calls for action. My campaign to end these rip off surcharges has really shone a light on these unacceptable practices and it’s time the UK Government started listening to consumers in my constituency and across the north of Scotland.”