London retailers have reacted angrily to the "draconian" terms and conditions of News International's (NI) new Direct to Retailer distribution scheme (C-Store, May 15).
NFRN London District president Omkar Patel accused NI of "driving a dictatorial relationship with its newsagents" with terms including a requirement to place a large deposit with NI for the duration of the trading relationship, mandatory weekly payment of account, and charges of 3% above the base rate for late payment.
"All this applies even if the invoice sent to you is massively inaccurate," Patel added.
Exisiting wholesalers take a deposit from new customers which may be returned after the first year, demand weekly settlement, and charge interest of about 1.5% on late payments.
Other retailers praised the clear and concise terms of the document, and pointed out that as NI would deliver only two newspaper titles a day, "massively inaccurate" invoicing was unlikely to occur.
NI said it would deal with individual retailers' queries on its helpline, 0808 238 9599.
NFRN London District president Omkar Patel accused NI of "driving a dictatorial relationship with its newsagents" with terms including a requirement to place a large deposit with NI for the duration of the trading relationship, mandatory weekly payment of account, and charges of 3% above the base rate for late payment.
"All this applies even if the invoice sent to you is massively inaccurate," Patel added.
Exisiting wholesalers take a deposit from new customers which may be returned after the first year, demand weekly settlement, and charge interest of about 1.5% on late payments.
Other retailers praised the clear and concise terms of the document, and pointed out that as NI would deliver only two newspaper titles a day, "massively inaccurate" invoicing was unlikely to occur.
NI said it would deal with individual retailers' queries on its helpline, 0808 238 9599.
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