Online retailers urged to look at isles delivery policy

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has urged companies selling goods on the internet to “look again” at their delivery policy after the publication of a report from Citizen’s Advice Scotland into online retailers.

According to a report into online retailers by Citizen’s Advice Scotland, Orkney is the least likely place for retailers to deliver goods. In addition, Orcadians face high surcharges and late deliveries.

Mr Carmichael said: ‘The contents of this report will come as no surprise to anyone in the Northern Isles who has tried to order goods online in the past. There is a strong case for the Office of Fair Trading to take a good look at the courier market in Scotland.

‘We have seen many cases locally where the cost of getting goods delivered is greater than the value of the product itself. These are often not even large or bulky purchases that might be expected to carry a higher cost. This is a manifestly ridiculous state of affairs.

‘The Government has acted to protect the universal postal service and the Royal Mail will deliver most parcels anywhere in the UK at a uniform price. The companies imposing these punitive charges need to look again at their delivery policy and give their customers in the Northern Isles a fair deal.”