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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that the Scottish Highlands are in fact part of the UK mainland?

250 replies

Habbibu · 15/02/2011 10:48

I've just ordered some spare parts for my coffee machine, and, on trying to find out more about shipping, read this: "Please note that as from today 26/01/2010 we now ONLY ship to the UK Mainland.

We no longer ship to southern or northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey,Isle of man, Scottish Highlands and Islands or anywhere outside of mainland UK.

This is due to the fact that shipping to these destinations has proved difficult and time consuming.

Please note that there are NO EXCEPTIONS to the rule, please do not E-mail us asking us about this as these mails will not be replied to."

Leaving aside the rather unfriendly and unhelpful nature of this note, plus the PITA it must be to those on the islands, since when was there a sea to cross to get to (say) Inverness? How is it so more difficult to get just that bit further up the A9? (well, yes, yes, I know, it can be a pain, but you get my point). Thankfully it doesn't affect me (though I have seen the odd place that won't deliver north of Edinburgh), but it's a massive pain for my ILs and others - who manage to get themselves up and down the road quite happily.

OP posts:
Lizcat · 15/02/2011 13:53

It's funny isn't it how the Royal Mail (with all their other faults) manage before 1pm delivery to even ZE postcodes from anywhere in UK. So often I nip down to the post office here in west berks at about 4pm and Aunty Mary in Shetland gets it before 1pm tomorrow at no extra charge beyond the regular next day delivery.

Original poster
Habbibu · 15/02/2011 14:00

Indeed, Lizcat, but they're terrible, don't you know? all these other companies would increase competition and of course that would make things better. The question is, better for whom?

OP posts:
Ineedacleaneriamalazyslattern · 15/02/2011 14:02

Lizcat exactly.
People always complain about the Royal Mail but I am impressed that I can send a letter from Lands End to John o Groats fot less than 50p and for a few extra pounds like you say next delivery.
when if the privatise the Royal Mail then we are going to lose all that and be at the mercy of private companies that already charge us an arm and a leg for built up area never mind the remote areas they are already charging extra for.

hannahsaunt · 15/02/2011 14:12

Slightly tangentially, I live in Aberdeen; I was asked by a cold caller working for a charity "Did you find it difficult to access maternity services living somewhere remote like Scotland ..." Shock

Ineedacleaneriamalazyslattern · 15/02/2011 14:16

Honestly Hannah that is shocking.
I am in Aberdeen too and I obvously had DS2 squatting in the heather then went back to haggis hunting 5 minutes later Hmm Grin

GentleOtter · 15/02/2011 14:19

BJ Domestics

Gaggia- service also send out parts but I don't know if the do the extra charge.

CaptainNancy · 15/02/2011 14:29

Habbibu- if you want, get them delivered to me, and I'll post them up to you.

How utterly ridiculous though! Hmm

Milngavie · 15/02/2011 14:30

Hannahsaunt I was once asked if we have cars in Scotland Hmm.

The postage thing is insane though. I have realised never to buy anything from ebay that is sent via Courier as it will cost more. There are some sellers who try to use the " H&I ask for quotes as it will cost more" when they are using the royal mail [hmm}.

Milngavie · 15/02/2011 14:30

Or Hmm even.

LadyOfTheManor · 15/02/2011 14:35

It amazes me that you pay for postage and are then offered to pay more to get a guaranteed delivery...and then you can take out insurance in case the guaranteed delivery doesn't take place.

I fucking hate the post office. With a passion.

expatinscotland · 15/02/2011 14:36

'This makes me spit feathers and I refuse to do business with any company who penalise you for living North of Perth.

Companies from, say, Thurso would not add a surcharge if they were sending a parcel to London. I think this is discriminatory and a rip off. Petrol costs are bad enough without some weasely companies adding to the problem.

'

Too fucking right, mate!

I also refuse to do business with companies like this and make it a point to ring them and tell them they're discriminatory.

I think I live in the same place as Milgavnie and I've had ignoramuses on the phone I force them to get Google maps up or get their supervisor so they can see this is still the mainland.

I get a lot of 'just this once, as a favour, we won't charge you extra.'

I tell them there's only going to be a once anyway and then I name and shame them online.

Name and shame these people!

Funny thing is, I'm not even Scottish, either!

expatinscotland · 15/02/2011 14:37

I get this, too, Milgavnie, on Ebay. I give those eejits a piece of my mind and tell them they're rip off merchants so I won't be buying their product, either.

We should use this thread to name and shame!

I'll put in on my watch list, too, so I can keep adding on as and when.

CaptainNancy · 15/02/2011 14:54

Well... you may have cars in Scotland, but I've no idea how anyone affords to run them- petrol prices were shocking when I was up there last (not that they aren't eyewatering everywhere atm mind you).

larakitten · 15/02/2011 15:03

Oh don't get me on my soapbox about this one!! We live in North Aberdeenshire....not darkest bloody Peru.

I get soooo angry when companies class us as Highlands and Islands....er, last time I checked we were Grampian and the Highlands and Islands were those bits a great deal north of us and seperated by a fecking great mountain range.

My Dh orders parts for his pile of rust classic car and I think the companies just take the piss. I mean, he went to order some rubber bushes from one supplier who shall remain nameless...they're tiny, very light and could have been chucked in an envelope with a large letter stamp and been done with it. But no, because we're Highlands and Islands (really???) it would be £25 for delivery. Confused

We went elsewhere...........

Original poster
Habbibu · 15/02/2011 15:13

That's very kind of you, nancy, but it doesn't actually affect me here in the real mainland (apparently).

expat, I have named and shamed above - it's happydonkey.com. My problem is that Gaggia spare parts seem to be quite hard to get hold of - Otter's very nice Perth people don't do gaggia, which is a shame - and although I have found some on ebay, they're at least twice the price of the ones I'd ordered, plus postage, and at least one was charging £32 for delivery to H&I. I'm feeling quite conflicted atm; it's not directly a problem for me, and my machine is broken, but I do feel it should be a point of principle not to buy from them. bah.

OP posts:
Original poster
Habbibu · 15/02/2011 15:16

[[http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gasket-Seal-Shower-Screen-Gaggia-Coffee-Maker-Machine-/400123036794?pt=Coffee_Machines_Makers&hash=item5d2931047a here's the £18 for 3-4 day service to H&I). Not £32 - that's Channel Isles.

OP posts:
Original poster
Habbibu · 15/02/2011 15:16

Bah

here

OP posts:
GentleOtter · 15/02/2011 15:32

I burst a blood vessel when once asked if "We still survived on blubber, up there". Honestly.

Not many whales swimming in the Perthshire hills. Hmm

xstitch · 15/02/2011 15:39

Did we ever survive on blubber? OK I know there were whalers sailing out of the North East way back buck I think that really shows people's ignorance. I tend to get very annoyed with stupid questions like that otter. I just wish I could think of good come backs at the time.

expatinscotland · 15/02/2011 16:09

Yes, we all wear kilts and have ginger hair, never mind that there are a whole lotta English people living here, because duh, it's the UK.

CurlyCasper · 15/02/2011 16:19

(now thinking Milngavie and ExPat live very near my home town Wink)

If they are going to make exceptions because of remote-ness. What about the far depths of Cornwall, or the far west of Wales?

It really is bollocks. One thing I don't miss since moving to England. And, no, I didn't need a visa.

xstitch · 15/02/2011 16:27

Curly I was told by and English Registrar that I would need to contact immigration to check if I had leave to remain before I can give notice of marriage. Hmm.

I think I know where expat and Milngavie are,

TapselteerieO · 15/02/2011 16:28

I always check before buying, but it makes me angry too. Forbidden Planet wanted to charge me £20 for shipping, doubling the price of my order.
Royal Mail & Parcel Force don't charge extra to deliver to the highlands, so I tend to stick to companies that use them, or bigger companies that don't charge extra.

I live in Moray, and to get something delivered by Book People would cost extra, but not if the books were delivered to a Nairn address, I live about 2 miles from the A96.

CurlyCasper · 15/02/2011 16:30

That's awful Xstitch! Glad I married my English husband in Scotland then.

GentleOtter · 15/02/2011 16:31

If there was a fair fuel charge for the entire UK, ie a uniform amount per litre, then none of this silly surcharge would be happening.

Some companies seem to think that they should add their own amount over and above the Postal rate and I would really begin to question the legality of the charge.

It is greed and we are being fleeced.

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