Cheek of the week

[FredPuli43]

I ordered fitted carpet from a national carpet company. Man comes to measure. Prepares itemised final quote. Bill includes £29 'delivery charge'. I say,'Look. i'm paying for the carpet and for your men to fit it. If they can fit it without it being delivered, I'll go ahead, otherwise you'd better forget the delivery charge'. He waived it.

I've had this before with a bed. The shop wanted to charge me for bringing if from what was, in fact, their central depot serving several towns in the area. I told them that I was happy to buy the bed and sleep on it in their depot. How do firms get away with this and why do they try?

[cupid04]

Because gullible people pay. We payed about £60 on top to have a sofa and coffee table delivered. When re-iterating this story to a friend he says he refuses to shop anywhere that adds on the delivery charge. But how do you know it's not already included in the price.

[plautus]

The cheek of the century has to be that of BT. Some years ago I noticed on my bill an item marked: payment processing charge - £4.50. In other words they were charging me for paying my bill! I hastily changed to direct debit, much against my will. At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask!

[baza]

I bought a fridge freezer from a large electrical retailer no names but it sounds like a take away order, the salesman wanted to charge delivery, I told him that I would bring my shopping into the shop and use my fridge there, the manager appeared and agreed to waive the charge.

[plautus]

It is one ginormous con. All costs are filtered into the price at the point of sale. It is like that irritating little man who sells double glazing on the TV - "Trust me, it's free fitting!" My posterior! Of course, the biggest con is: "Instant cash back". This is a thinly disguised form of money lending for which the customer ends up paying for through the nose.

[B00]

But surely if you had the space/means etc, you'd take it out the shop yourself? They are assisting you further by delivering it for you, and you expect that service for free?

Am I missing something here?

[cupid04]

It should already be included in the price not a hidden extra.

[ChuckFickens]

Eh?

If it was included in the price then it would be hidden. charging separately for it isn't hiding it and gives people the option not to pay it if they transport the goods themselves.

[baza]

I bought a washing machine locally price included delivery, installing and taking away old one.
I bought a sofa from a large retailer, they had the neck to charge delivery and refused to take the old one away.
Yes delivery charges are a rip off.

[B00]

"Yes delivery charges are a rip off. "

Now see I disagree, we bought a small carpet, and luckily it fit into the car so we were able to take it home ourselves. However if that wasn't possible, I fail to see why a company should deliver free of charge- do they not have to pay for petrol etc like the rest of us?

[ChuckFickens]

The price didn't include delivery, the base price had delivery added to it and you weren't given the option not to pay it.... do you really think they delivered it for free?

[hc4361]

See how much it costs to hire a van to collect it yourself and then tell me the cost of at least one man (two with a three piece suite), van, fuel etc to deliver is a rip off.

I want base price and the option to collect or pay for delivery.

[plautus]

How come, then, that some supermarkets can offer free delivery of groceries which an able-bodied person could carry home himself? It's all in the price! Seemples!

[B00]

Which ones? I know Asda and Tesco don't.

[hc4361]

plautus, that means ALL their customers are paying the delivery charges, whether they use the service or not.

[baza]

boo , what I cannot understand is how a small retailer can deliver for free and a large retailer charges. The price of the washer was the same as in larger electrical stores, yet he still made a profit.
The only reason I paid delivery on the sofa was to keep Mrs B happy if it was left to me I would have gone elsewhere.

[ChuckFickens]

Sainsbury give free delivery on orders over £100.

So people that would normally only spend £80 suddenly think they have to buy another £20 worth of stuff so they don't have to pay a £5 delivery charge.

[Dee Sa]

good on you to query,yesterday I was asked to ring a car hire firm back when my car is returned to me [ accident claim] gave me a premium rate number and said the call would be 8 mins max, no fear if you want me you call me.

[emmie]

i have stopped endless buys because of the extortion of delivery charges, it should be factored into the cost of the goods.

[hc4361]

em10, impossible when buying online as the seller doesn't know where the buyer is.
It does cost a lot more to send to the Republic of Island, Scottish Islands, some other islands and abroad.

[EvianBaby]

I had that when I was looking to buy a new mattress from Dreams a few months ago. Saw one online that had free delivery. Wanted to look at it instore and decided to buy it. The guy quoted me something like £30 quid for delivery. I told him I wasn't paying that. He said the best he could do was take it down to £20, as if he was doing me a favour.

I walked out and got one somewhere else.