ONLINE delivery charges are to be investigated by MPs. The Scottish Affairs Committee will hold a one-off session on February 27 that will involve major online retailers, delivery companies and organisations that have looked into delivery charges, including Ofcom and Citizens Advice Scotland
It is estimated that at least a million people in Scotland are subject to higher fees, longer delivery times or even refusal of service. The issue is most severe in island communities and the Highlands.
The session will examine how common high delivery charges are and which areas are most affected. It will investigate what information is available to consumers about charges and whether additional charges reflect the real cost of delivery. It will also look at what options exist for reducing or eliminating charges.
The committee chairman, SNP MP Pete Wishart, said: “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. We have launched this inquiry to understand how there can be such a disparity in service between different areas of the UK.”
People can tell the committee about their experiences on a dedicated forum at http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com.
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