Moray Citizens Advice Bureau campaigns against unfair delivery charges
MORAY Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is campaigning to bring an end to unfair parcel delivery surcharges and the non-delivery of parcels.
The aim of the organisation's Fair Delivery Charges campaign is to raise awareness of unfair parcel surcharging in Moray by working with local communities to create local solutions.
Moray CAB is one of many bureaux across Scotland to join the campaign. It is asking local consumers and businesses to complete its online survey to share their experiences of delivery surcharges.
It is estimated that the cost of these charges for the people of Moray in 2019 was £2.78 million.
Mary Riley, Moray CAB manager, said: "This is a phenomenal figure which affects businesses and public alike.
"We are kick-starting our campaign by launching our Fairer Delivery Charges for Moray survey, which can be accessed using the link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/fairerdeliverychargesformoray.
"We positively encourage the general public and businesses to take part by completing the survey and sharing their personal experiences with us."
Moray MSP and long-standing campaigner on the issue Richard Lochhead welcomed Moray CAB's involvement.
Mr Lochhead has led the campaign against unfair parcel delivery surcharges and has repeatedly called on the UK Government to introduce legislation to end the discriminatory practices.
The MSP said: "It is a source of huge frustration for shoppers and local businesses that companies and couriers continue to impose unfair and often ridiculous parcel delivery surcharges on customers in Moray and across the north of Scotland. In Moray alone, it’s estimated that last year these charges cost online shoppers around £2.78 million.
"Citizens Advice is an organisation I’ve had regular contact with throughout my campaign, so it is great to see Moray CAB launching its campaign against unfair surcharges. I would encourage consumers and businesses in Moray to get behind their campaign and respond to their new survey, to share their experiences.
"Since I launched my campaign back in 2017, we’ve managed to secure cross-party support and what started out as a Moray campaign has become a big national issue.
"That progress is welcome but this issue needs to be treated more seriously and it is clear that there’s public support in Moray and across the north of Scotland for action to be taken to end these rip-off fees once and for all.
"I look forward to working with Moray CAB to campaign and push for action that sees an end to consumers in Moray being ripped off."
Moray CAB's Elgin office can be contacted on 01343 559001 or 01343 559004 between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Friday.
