i'm not defending anyone, i'm just pointing out that it's been my experience that things take longer and cost more than it does in mainland UK when sending to Ireland.... especially when it's sent "time sensitive" .... (next day by 9am type of delivery)
north or south.....
( i have clients on the west coast , and occasionally need to ship equipment there.... )
and can imagine someone not realising this, then finding themselves facing a £42 shipping bill for a £20 deal.... (numbers not necessarily accurate) and not wanting to face up to the cock up....
and so sending it by ordinary parcel mail..... to save money, but not admitting to it...... hoping it would get there in a reasonable time....
i postulate this simply as i've been on the receiving end of just such events..... waiting 10 days for stuff to get here , rather than 1 day.,... as it were