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A HUGE Christmas parcel delivery crisis is looming after DPD abruptly cut wages for 10,000 drivers by thousands of pounds a year weeks before December 25.
Last week, the parcel delivery firm announced it would be cutting the rate for smaller parcels by 65p.
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Drivers were told by email that the change would take effect immediately.
It also quietly axed a £500 Christmas bonus which was paid to drivers who hit targets over the busy festive period.
DPD drivers are self-employed and work as franchisees, earning money for each delivery they make.
Pay depends on the size of the parcel and the number of deliveries completed, regardless of distance travelled or area served.
One driver told The Sun that the changes would cut their yearly earnings by £6,000, reducing their £40,000 income after tax and expenses by 15%.
They said: “It’s a disgrace. To wake up at 6am to find out your income is being slashed that same day shows a complete and utter contempt for the people who actually deliver their parcels.”
“This isn’t just a pay cut, it’s a crisis for my family.
“It means I’ve lost almost £500 a month overnight.”
The driver said the monthly pay cut has put them in an “impossible position” and is equal to their food bill, mortgage payment, or van hire costs.
They added: “I’m having to now decide whether to sell the van and seek a job elsewhere.”
Driver frustrations are rising, with many in private online forums seen by The Sun now threatening to quit or go on strike.
The small parcel pay cut was buried in an email promoting a £150 incentive for finding new sales leads and a 65p increase for parcels over 30kg.
Rural drivers are expected to be hit hardest, as their routes tend to include more lower-paid small parcels and fewer large business deliveries, making the impact far greater than for inner-city drivers.
DPD said the change is necessary to “reflect changes in our parcel traffic profile” in an “intensely competitive market.”
It maintains that its driver rates “remain among the best in our industry” and that the average annualised earnings for those affected are still over £40,000.
DPD has faced criticism from within its distribution network before.
Back in March 2023, it cuts commission paid to stores by 25%
In March 2023, the company reduced the commission paid to partnered stores by 25%, cutting earnings from 60p to 45p per parcel.
At the time, DPD said the change was necessary “to remain competitive” following a market review and a doubling in parcel volumes handled by these stores.
Despite the backlash, DPD defended the move, claiming its rates “remain among the best in the world”.
What are my rights for lost or late deliveries?
MILLIONS of shoppers will be relying on delivery firms to ensure presents they have bought online arrive in time for Christmas.
We’ve outlined your rights if a package you ordered gets lost or arrives late.
Claim against the retailer
If your parcel does not arrive by the date agreed, you can make a claim against the retailer.
And if you didn’t select a particular delivery date or window at checkout, you are entitled to a refund if the item doesn’t show up within 30 days.
When buying online, if there isn’t an option to select a specific delivery date, try to add a note stating “time is of the essence” and that you need it before December 25.
Follow this up with an email asking the company to commit to this timeframe.
It will give you extra refund rights if something goes wrong.
Cancel and rebuy
With anything you buy online or over the phone – apart from items that have been personalised such as with your initials – you have the right to a refund within a 14-day window.
This cooling-off period applies even if there is nothing wrong with your purchase. The clock starts the day after you receive delivery. The only other exception is for electronic items where the seal on the box has been broken.
This can be a useful tool if you know that a delivery is running late and you want to go out and buy a replacement before Christmas Day.
But when refunding you for the item, companies only need to reimburse the cost of the cheapest delivery option. So if you paid for a premium “next day” or “named day” service, you may not get all of your money back.
Seek damages
If your purchase is damaged when it arrives, it is the retailer’s responsibility to then refund you.
Sometimes if you or the courier are in a rush, you might not have time to properly remove the item from its packaging and inspect it before signing.
Most of the time you are just signing to accept delivery rather than confirm the condition of your purchase – but to cover yourself, add “not examined” when you sign.
Pay by credit card
Using a credit card gives you an extra layer of protection, as you can seek a refund from the card company if items are faulty or not delivered as promised.
This is useful, as sometimes when buying online you might end up dealing with a scam company that has no interest in your refund rights.
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