Hello folks,

I ordered a nice tool from a certain tool dealer in the UK and as the sum exceeded that for free postage, I felt I had a reasonable deal, not great, but the dealer has to make a reasonable profit so the price was accepted. That was until they told me that I do not live where I have been living for 30 years!

You see, I live in a AB51 postcode, and many couriers think this is in the Highlands, well it's not. Checking the Parcel Force guide, it is firmly within the bastions of Zone 1, which is the same zone as London, Manchester, Birmingham etc.Oh no it's not, said the dealer, it's in the Highlands because Sid the white van man tariff rate states it. Well, who can argue with Sid the white van man, I tried to explain that the Royal Mail network, whilst not being cheaper in some areas, have the largest network and can, through Parcel Force, give a better than courier rate. The response was, 'oh we don't use them, now you have to pay the postage'. I then stated that if orders are over £60 then it's free delivery, as per their T&Cs, They responded by'Never mind that you are in the Highlands', so to those few who live in the Highlands (and all zone 1's too, yes that's London Manchester etc) the spend over £60 free postage does not apply to you either, they just like to hide the fact as it's not defined in the T&Cs.

So whilst living 'not in the Highlands' or even perhaps in Brixton Town, London, you might not know that you actually live in the Highlands too, especially if Sid the white van man courier thinks so. I live in postal Zone 1, not 2 which is highlands and Islands, or Zone 3 which is Northern Island. So the tools dealer, who has a big advertisement here on this site, is a bit of a self centered business type who portrays a dodgy shape changing allegiance to us hobby machinists and would trick you into paying more rather than using a fair and just system for us all.

Caveat Emptor, I say, I will not be purchasing any more from this bunch as their website is not truthful and accurate, you need to be aware of some of the devious little practises they get up to to wring a bit more brass out of us.

Now, the Royal mail network can be more expensive in some areas that are easily accessable and due to the competition from various couriers, not be the cheapest option, however, when you start getting to the extremities of the UK, couriers are no longer the best option as they have not built up their infrastructure effectively so be sure to check that cheeky little tool dealers are not ripping you off on postage rates whist working at their commission rates from the couriers.

Have a nice day…

John,

That's all very plausible and quite understandable. My issue is with what is stated within the dealers T&Cs where geographically positioned within the 'Highlands and islands' is not correct. The demarcation is determined from a couriers perspective and not RM / parcel force. As RM is used for all packages below a certain weight, the implication is usage of RM. Where the weight exceeds this, then packages over £60 are exempt postage costs, it does not state otherwise. I have taken this up with the dealer but continued custom vs accurate postage is not for discussion. Whether or not the courier collects or the dealer has to make the effort to go to a Parcel Force location – their convenience or my cost.

The postage to some destinations is wholly considered by the courier network and based on not having adequate infrastructure and charges go accordingly, If the dealer uses RM, as stated in the dealers T&Cs then it would be accepted that this service should be used in these circumstances. Clearly I have a choice, to only use dealers who operate the postage tariff as per the RM system. I still say the system is based on limited competition within this type of hobby and leaves few choices for us to shop around to get a fair deal. I live in zone 1, but have to pay for zone 2 with some dealers. I bought a large Yaesu radio, weighing over 10 KGs in a large box from a UK source that came via a courier free of charge, why do tool dealers treat us differently?

Before this sounds like all tool dealers treat us this way, many treat us fairly and abide by the RM rates, this one does not and will only be used as a last resort for my requirements and having spent in excess of £15k in the last two years in this area perhaps I am meagre in their eyes, I look forward to being treated as a valued customer and not some one who resides in an 'inconvenient area'.

I live beside a main trunk route, A96, and hardly a back road meandering up a hill somewhere.

Steve

Correct, but I need the tool so have to pay, my issue or rant is, I am not in zone 2, I do not live in the Highlands, but am classed as living there. In this day and age, conciseness would be nice but based on legal tort, I might have an legal advantage, but I can not be honestly bothered for the sake of £12. The T&Cs were obviously not authored by someone in the legal profession as I know it as it appears to have some holes in it.

I have had my rant, thanks for reading, I will go and climb a mountain in the Highlands now to cool down… Oh wait, they are over an hours drive away.

Steve.

Hello folks,

I have won my case, we are now back in zone 1, no longer in the Highlands and the courier coming here does not charge extra based on the huge amount of business conducted here.I am now back in the free delivery zone without having to pay for rent in London, although I don't know how that got into the conversation..

Speaking to someone who can make a difference rather than being fobbed off by a sales person is recommended here, a lesson learned for me.

Apologies for being grumpy, I can beat the best when it comes to being grumpy!. All sorted, at least for the time being until I learn that we no longer live in the vibrant North East, and now have to pay a charge comparable for Alaska by the next courier with an out of date atlas.

Till then, thanks for reading and keep all the debates and news rolling.

Steve

Edited By Steve G on 01/08/2016 15:34:57

Rod,

Ha ha, I hope that never becomes the case but a good reply nonetheless. The North East, does not in general, support the separatists. But I hope we remain in the UK and the Brexit situation turns out to be a success. Just think of all the cheap tools we will get from China, whether or not they are any good.

Many of us moved up here (from England) in the 80s to support the oil industry, I was one of them. And many of us remain and do not want to be separated from the rest of Britain. Although SNP are currently in power, they would not have been successful had Labour not been so fragmented at the time, they took their votes. Worrying times.

Steve