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Unfair levy on Highlands



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Published Date: 14 October 2008
Many readers will have ordered items by phone or on the internet, only to find their address is subject to an additional charge for delivery – one that can often be more than the value of the order.
The practice seems to relate to a time when anything destined for the Highlands had to be carried over moor and mountain by packhorse. As we now enjoy modern roads, railways and even airports, the retention of these surcharges appears only to serve the increased profits of courier companies. I'm concerned this ishampering the economic and social development of Highland communities, and I've petitioned the Scottish Government about it.

Courier firms seem to list all "KW" postcodes as being offshore (startling news to many in Caithness and Sutherland). And the charges only work one way: they're not imposed on items going from the Highlands to England.

CHRIS FERNE
Struie Road
Dornoch, Sutherland



The full article contains 153 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 13 October 2008 8:40 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

SouthernSkye,

14/10/2008 07:25:20
Most firms we deal with still have charges in lace to include the ferry over to Skye or to cover the costs of the toll.
It seems the fact there is a bridge and it is now toll-free is news that never made it much further south than Oban !
2

StuartAD,

West Lothian 14/10/2008 08:31:32
Royal Mail still delivers the same all over. Only buy from those who use this service!
3

Spoot,

Third rock pool on the left 14/10/2008 09:38:35
A few years ago I attempted to order a substantial item from a supplier in the London area. When I gave my address in east central Scotland, I was told that the goods couldn't be delivered - the company only delivered to mainland Britain.

I suspect that there's still a great deal of this kind of geographical ignorance out there, and not just south of the border.
4

GlenB,

14/10/2008 18:53:16
One company that I ordered from put Skye in the same category as Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland.

Pointing out that one didn't need a plane or a boat to get there made no difference as delivery involved a "change of carrier"

 

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