e-commerce

Internet delivery charges survey

A report to The Highland Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee on Thursday 16 March has identified that the Internet trading activities of almost 200 businesses across the UK are under investigation by Council’s Trading Standards as a result of a survey undertaken between November 2011 and January 2012

The survey closed on 31 January but complaints about this and any other trading practice can still be made to The Highland Council’s Trading Standards at 38 Harbour Road, Inverness or telephone Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. More information about your consumer rights can be found by going to the Consumer Direct website at: www.direct.gov.uk.

 

Those of us who live and work in the ‘Scottish Highlands’ will be familiar with the additional costs and delays when ordering goods online and there is a widespread feeling that the Highlands are not being treated fairly by some online retailers.  For example, some retailers claim to offer Free UK delivery when in fact hidden surcharges apply to certain areas usually including the Highlands & Islands.  Such 'FREE' claims are likely to be illegal. The Highland Council has a duty to enforce consumer protection laws surrounding internet sales and the Trading Standards Service has embarked on a project to trace and tackle those businesses that fall foul of internet trading law.

We want consumers and business owners who have experienced unfair or misleading delivery charges online to contact us and give our officers the details so that we can investigate any substantive issues.  We have set up this webpage and simple form in order to collect details of possible bad practice online.  We are committed to improve the way Highland residents are treated by internet retailers and we really need this information to focus our efforts on the worst offenders.  I would encourage Highland consumers and businesses to complete the form.  The minimum information we require is the name of the business, its website address along with the approximate date of the transaction and an outline of the issues.  If you want us to contact you about the particular transaction then you can fill out the rest of the contact details - it really is very straightforward.