News / Delivery charges survey
HIGHLANDS and Islands MSP Jean Urquhart is urging businesses in Shetland to speak up about “discriminatory” delivery charges.
She is calling for firms to back a survey launched on Monday by Citizens’ Advice Scotland (CAS) to uncover the extent of the problem.
Businesses can take part in the survey online at tinyurl.com/DeliveryCosts, or collect a paper copy from the Lerwick Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) office.
CAS is particularly interested to hear from small rural businesses. Research carried out in 2012 showed that one million Scots were hit by additional delivery charges, or refused delivery altogether.
Islanders face extra charges of almost £19 per order, compared to £15 extra in the Highlands.
Urquhart said: “As a small business owner myself, I know how costly – and how infuriating – discriminatory delivery policies can be. I’ll definitely be taking part in this survey.
“Citizens Advice are doing a great job fighting for fairer costs, and the least we can do is give them the evidence they need for the next stage of their campaign.”
The independent MSP vowed to do “everything I can to support the fight” in the Scottish Parliament.
CAS chief executive Margaret Lynch said the charges can be “absolutely devastating for small businesses – both when sending and receiving parcels”.
“We want to assess how bad this problem is, so we are today opening a survey that is just for businesses,” Lynch said.
“Throughout the campaign we have said that Scots don’t want ‘special treatment’. All they want is a fair deal. We are determined to ensure they get that.”
More than 23,000 people have now signed up to a Facebook page started by Argyll woman Jacky Couper campaigning against inflated delivery charges.
One Shetland News reader was asked by an Edinburgh deli to pay £30 to post a gift voucher to the islands, while an eBay trader wasked for £45 to deliver a packet of blank CDs.
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