Citizens Advice Burnley and Pendle offers help to residents over deliveries

This comes at a time when over half (51%) of people across the country feel more reliant on parcel deliveries as a result of the pandemic, with 93% of people in the North West saying they’d ordered a parcel since March.

Late delivery was the biggest problem faced by consumers in the region, with 29% reporting this issue.

Despite widespread problems, the charity found that less than a third (29%) of people across the North West knew their rights if something went wrong.

As a result this National Consumer Week, Burnley and Pendle Citizens Advice is working to help clue local consumers up on their rights if something goes wrong with a parcel delivery.

Liam Demaine, Research and Campaigns officer at Burnley and Pendle Citizens Advice, said: “Parcel delivery has been a lockdown lifeline for so many of us in Burnley and Pendle this year.

"It’s helped us turn our homes into makeshift offices; send gifts to those we love and miss; and get hold of essentials and the occasional luxury.

“With the current restrictions in place, parcels will continue to be vital. So it’s not good enough that so many people across the North West are having issues. And it’s especially worrying that such a high number of people don’t know their rights if something goes wrong.

“With the festive season coming up, it’s important to remember that it’s the seller’s responsibility - not yours or the courier’s - to make sure the item gets to you.

“As we all turn to shopping online more, it’s important people feel confident that they can shop safely and securely from home.”