Rip-off delivery firms can't be named and shamed

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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FOURTEEN companies top a hit list after being shopped by frustrated customers to a consumer watchdog for the way they slap on controversial delivery charges to the Highlands.

But trading standards officers are refusing to reveal the identities of the companies – which are all based outside of the Highlands – despite appealing for information in a public survey in the first place.

And this week the HN learned it is red tape dating back to before the internet shopping revolution which is preventing firms from being named publicly at the moment.

Now, leading North politicians are demanding immediate action to change laws in order to protect those being hit by unreasonable delivery charges.

Highland Council trading standards carried out the "Highland Delivery Charges Survey" and more than 300 people responded.

After sifting through the returns, the council has revealed more than a third of complaints lodged were against just 14 companies, but their indentities are protected by a cloak of secrecy and even councillors in charge of the department concerned are being kept in the dark.

Trading standards labelled the results "specified information" and, under terms of the 10-year-old Enterprise Act, the names of the companies they are investigating cannot be disclosed.

The survey encouraged people to comment on additional delivery costs which are legal, but websites must make the charge clear early on in the payment process, before any bank details have been entered.

A report on the initial findings and progress of the investigation will be submitted to the council’s TEC services committee on March 15.

Highland trading standards manager Gordon Robb told the HN: "The names of the companies is not going to remain a state secret, but I do not a have a timescale of when they will be revealed.

"The purpose of asking the public to take part was so we can hopefully resolve the situation and if there is a problem with a company breaching legislation, then we will deal with that. However, the same restrictions in revealing the names of those under investigation to the media apply to what we can tell the elected TECS members." Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP David Thompson, a former head of Highland trading standards called for trading standards officials to have greater powers to reveal problematic companies.

He said: "I would like to see trading standards’ consumer protection devolved to the Scottish Parliament so we can have a unified look at all these issues.

"There needs to be greater power given to trading standards and Consumer Focus Scotland to help find and stop these companies, and help the public."

Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Charles Kennedy said: "I have seen myself cancel orders online because they wait until the 59th minute of the final hour to tell you about the delivery costs.

"I don’t see why the private sector should be governed any differently from the Universal Service Obligation the Royal Mail has to follow, which means charges across the country are equal.

"I am speaking to the Office of Fair Trading this week and I would expect action to be taken about delivery charges to rural areas."

[DGP1]

OK, I'll name them.....................every single one of them except RM and then only until RM can get their zonal pricing in.

[Lounge Lizard]

"But trading standards officers are refusing to reveal the identities of the companies – which are all based outside of the Highlands"
Conversely, it would be interesting to know if delivery companies based WITHIN the Highlands charge more than Royal Mail to send parcels to the rest of the UK - or maybe there aren't many such companies because they can't compete.