Plea to internet companies over deliveries

[Geezer]

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Articl ... 1?UserKey=

By David Perry

Published: 17/11/2009



Allow customers to use Royal Mail over costly private firms, urges Scots MP


INTERNET shopping companies were urged last night to allow customers to opt for Royal Mail deliveries to avoid private courier companies which levy high charges for deliveries in some parts of the Highlands and islands.

The appeal from Liberal Democrat Scottish affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael came after Commons exchanges in which Postal Services Minister Pat McFadden ignored his protest over mail order firms either refusing to deliver in some areas or only doing so at an exceptionally high surcharge. The Orkney and Shetland MP had earlier urged the UK Government to act to stop businesses overcharging to deliver Christmas presents to his constituents.

He said some had no option but to use internet and mail order companies for goods not available locally, only to find some “will either not deliver to island communities or do so only at an exceptionally high surcharge”. He called for action to ensure a universal service.

Mr McFadden used the chance instead to warn Royal Mail that any more industrial action could cost it future parcel-delivery business in what is a growing area.

Mr Carmichael said the best option is to do as much Christmas shopping locally as possible, but there were things for which there is no alternative but internet and mail order companies.

He said: “It is a major irritation to local people that we are routinely excluded from taking advantage of opportunities that other parts of the country take for granted.

“This is because no thought was given to how competition would affect communities like ours when it was introduced in the parcel post market.

“I am calling on all web-based shopping sites to offer the Royal Mail standard parcel service as one of their delivery options so my constituents can get their Christmas presents and deliveries on time and at a reasonable cost.”

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[simjan]

example of really bad delivery from a private company, yesterday delivery they put note through letterbox saying item in black container next to green bin, recycle bin. stupid man it is a compast bin, plus you cannot email them, the telephone is an automated system, only for redelivery,costing at least 10p per min. Give me royal mail anyday!

[pinstripe]

"This is because no thought was given to how competition would affect communities like ours when it was introduced in the parcel post market."

I disagree with this statement, they did think about how it would affect those communities, they just didn't care.

[fishtank]

Pat McFadden,Mandlesons lap dog.


John Thurso(Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross, Liberal Democrat)

"To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on financial and legal advice in respect of the proposed sale of shareholdings in Royal Mail in the last two years."

Pat McFadden(Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills; Wolverhampton South East, Labour)

"The Department spent £4.6 million on financial and legal advice to take forward the implementation of the Hooper Review's recommendations (which included work on securing a minority strategic partner for the Royal Mail)."

£4.6 MILLION!

[jockstrapp]

Ordered DVD player from Amazon late Saturday night, arrived Monday delivered by courier , unlike the pile of parcels/packets that have been lying in my delivery office for over a week great customer service once again by ROYAL FAIL

[music4essex]

I delivered an Amazon parcel on saturday morning that had only been ordered friday afternoon, so not all bad lol,

mind you I ordered something off e.bay and had a note saying that due to RM's industrial action it could be delayed , I sent a polite note back saying I work on RM as a postie lol

Essex mum

[dvbuk55]

Ordered DVD player from Amazon late Saturday night, arrived Monday delivered by courier , unlike the pile of parcels/packets that have been lying in my delivery office for over a week great customer service once again by ROYAL FAIL

Ordered an X Box 360 super elite modern warfare 2 limited edition late Saturday night - received Monday morning by Parcelforce @ 0930 - courtesy Gamestation and free delivery.

[DirtyHarry]

"This is because no thought was given to how competition would affect communities like ours when it was introduced in the parcel post market."

I disagree with this statement, they did think about how it would affect those communities, they just didn't care.

Exactly. They couldn't have given a toss.