Royal Mail Postal Strike (UK)

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Royal Mail Postal Strike (UK)

Thinking is advance...

PCInk

5:16 pm on Sep 16, 2003 (gmt 0)

[thisislondon.co.uk...]

It seems likely that the Royal Mail will strike soon, but for how long, no-one is sure.

Apparently, Royal Mail Special Delivery is guaranteed and any packages sent through this service must be delivered - strike or no strike. Because special delivery is guaranteed by the Queen/King of the country, any Royal Mail managers that fail to deliver the packages will get the sack if they do not attempt a delivery. There is no second chance on this.

But if they strike, boycotting deliveries, I would like to boycott them as much as possible.

Does anyone have any good ideas or contacts for sending packages at low rates (and reliable) throughout the UK?

---
Royal Mail: Strike and probably lose your monopoly. Strike and probably lose your customers. Royal Mail: Serious problems ahead...

Essex_boy

8:31 pm on Sep 16, 2003 (gmt 0)

Didnt know the queen putting her backing on the special delivery, however it is expensive-ish. I have used it and it cost aroun Ł3.60 ($5) just for an ordinary letter.

postal strike yes I have considered this No I dont have any cheap contacts for delivery but rest assured when this happens another large carrier will normally jump into the breach with a special offer.

One option I do have is that my non UK suppliers have agreed to ship direct to non UK addresses in a strike. Costs more but hey!

andy_boyd

11:18 am on Sep 17, 2003 (gmt 0)

The talks to avert the strike are underway, but from what was on the BBC last night, it doesn't really seem too promising.

I use Special Delivery for all internal UK orders, it's very expensive especially for small packages, but is well worth it.

Let's hope things work out at the talks today!

caine

11:23 am on Sep 17, 2003 (gmt 0)

would'nt touch the royal mail or any of its services regarding the trasportation of goods too customers.

As a company we use UPS, DHL, and TNT. they seem to be the best at ensuring the items don't get damaged along the way - which is a heck off a lot more important for us than the cost of the delivery which is picked up by the customers.

Essex_boy

4:06 pm on Sep 17, 2003 (gmt 0)

I used to hear some real horror storys relating to private carriers you have jsut mentioned i.e contract staf pinching stuff etc security seems quite slack. Ive never had anytrouble with the honesty of royal mail staff.

To my knowledge....

andy_boyd

5:46 pm on Sep 17, 2003 (gmt 0)

I've been using Royal Mail Special Delivery for years now sending hand made china and crystal to UK customers and have never had a problem. We use UPS for our US customers and again have never had a problem there either, they provide a very reliable service.

In my experience the problems start when you use independent shipping companies who aren't as well established as DHL, TNT, UPS, FedEx. These may local or national distributors, but you really need to sus them out before signing up.

Essex_boy

6:12 pm on Sep 17, 2003 (gmt 0)

Just seen the news on TV - Strike allot voted AGAINST going on strike.

PCInk

9:19 pm on Sep 17, 2003 (gmt 0)

Hey, against the strike! Yippppppeeeeee!

UPS, TNT etc... are all too expensive. I have one courier that sends anything under 5kg for Ł5.50+VAT, but I don't send a lot by courier - mainly Royal Mail.

When goods are Ł5 to Ł30 for most orders and the Royal Mail insure you for Ł28 (Proof of postage normally required) and they cost Ł0.28 to about Ł1.15 for most orders, you can see why I don't use couriers much!