Postage

Belfastbelle

Why do some retailers state 'mainland UK Delivery only' when it is clearly obvious that it costs exactly the same to post to NI?

(I'm guessing it's something about insurance/ risk v delivery distance but surely the post office bases their business reputation on 'delivery success' ratios..)

molerat

Probably because they are too stupid to realise how much business they are losing by failing to understand how one of the basic components of an internet operations works. :mad:

RTNI

Or maybe because they don't realise that Royal Mail deliver to NI for the same price. They assume that the island of Ireland as a complete entity is more expensive to deliver too; which for NI is not the case.

erincc

Have experienced this many times on ebay. Usually ask them outright. Most don't know that it's the same price via royal mail. If they use a courier tho that's different. My gripe at the minute is the tassimo offer on grabbit board. UK mainland only, Fed up of being treated like second class citizens.:mad:

donnac2558

Yes I was looking at something on ebay at the weekend Ebay UK and seller put, Will Not Post To Northern Ireland.

Last year again on ebay I saw duvet covers I wanted the company it was a business shop stated Free Shipping To The Irish Republic, but charged to ship to NI. I messaged and asked why as we are part of the UK and no different that posting to Wales or Scotland. Got the reply OOPS!!! It was the Irish Republic they charged to ship to and NI was free. Did get a very sorry for the inconvenience.

I used to buy cat food from Zooplus great deals and free shipping to the UK. Then suddenly it was we charge to ship to NI and Scotland! Stopped buying from them and went to a local pet store instead, got free delivery to the door and discounts as well.

Mistral001

As far as ebay is concerned, it is rare now, in my experience to find, sellers charging extra for NI deliveries. Though it used to be a big problem when the couriers used to charge extra for for NI and Scottish Islands etc.

Ebay traders know that NI is in Uk and that their couriers as well as Royal Mail do not charge extra for delivery because they have the address and post code of the customer on their computer and the computer tells them that. I think if it was left up to the average English person to know that Belfast was in the UK there could be a few mistakes.

techspec

erincc wrote: »

Have experienced this many times on ebay. Usually ask them outright. Most don't know that it's the same price via royal mail. If they use a courier tho that's different. My gripe at the minute is the tassimo offer on grabbit board. UK mainland only, Fed up of being treated like second class citizens.:mad:

But won't the Tassimo offer be sent via courier - contradicting your post?

However, it used to me a nightmare getting a bidder from NI, as couriers often charged double.

But with Hermes and Collect+ now shipping there along with Royal Mail - it no-longer seems as big a problem.

BUT if they scam you - it still feels like your dealing with an overseas buyer - and you have no-where to turn.

jenheiffer

techspec wrote: »

But won't the Tassimo offer be sent via courier - contradicting your post?

No I think the poster's point is that the offer is not open AT ALL to NI addresses. This has happened to me several times with offers in the Daily Telegraph and other so-called 'mainland' newspapers.

erincc

jenheiffer wrote: »

No I think the poster's point is that the offer is not open AT ALL to NI addresses. This has happened to me several times with offers in the Daily Telegraph and other so-called 'mainland' newspapers.

Correct...thank you.:)

techspec

jenheiffer wrote: »

No I think the poster's point is that the offer is not open AT ALL to NI addresses. This has happened to me several times with offers in the Daily Telegraph and other so-called 'mainland' newspapers.

Youve lost me.

Post said they understand when its sent by courier and not royal mail - then quoted an item being sent via courier.

Thats why its not available.