Effective tomorrow, Aramex will raise its Shop & Ship rates across the Middle East, apparently to offset some of the courier company’s rising costs, including in Qatar.

It is the third such increase in five years. 

In 2008, the company cited rising fuel costs for raising its rates to QR39 for the first half kg, and QR31 for each additional half kg.

In 2011, the first half kg became QR41, with the subsequent half kg costing QR33.  

Now, packages will cost QR43 for the first half kg, and QR35 for each subsequent half kg.

A rise in “third-party costs” such as freight charges are the reason for the increase, said Walid Fawaz, the company’s general manager in Qatar.

But even with the increases, the costs are lower than competitors’ rates, he said in an interview with Doha News.

“Aramex has not increased the rate in the last two years. What we are increasing is a nominal amount.”

Ripples of discontent

Aramex drew the ire of Qatar residents last summer after moving its headquarters from Abu Hamour to an office near Wholesale Market. Customers complained that they weren’t notified of the move, said that the branch was hard to find and expressed dissatisfaction with the service there.

Aramex also shifted its Qatar Foundation location, but just weeks ago moved it again. The office is now located in the Lulu Express complex in Education City housing.

Plans to establish a West Bay branch are still afoot, as the company’s Landmark mall kiosk was closed due to fire safety regulations last year.

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Mark