Postal Strike Checklist Discussion

Former_MSE_Andrea

20 October 2009

[title=http://images2.moneysavingexpert.com/images/dp/wtd_underline.gif] Postal Strike Checklist[/title]
This Thursday & Friday's planned postal strike is likely to add to the already large delivery backlog. While for most letters, delays are a pain not a problem, with bills always check online or call to ensure all's ok...

[title=http://images2.moneysavingexpert.com/images/dp/wtd_underline.gif] What to do[/title]
• Credit Cards: Late or missed payments can mean a £12 fine, a hit to your credit score, and a loss of any 0% or promo rates. While many big providers, e.g. Barclaycard, MBNA & Amex have promised leniency (see the credit card postal strike MSE News story), there's no guarantee.

• Bank Statements: Use ATM mini-statements to ensure you don't go overdrawn or get bank charges.

• Car / Home Insurance Renewal: Check when it's due in case you don't receive the renewal note in time to get a cheaper price (see cheap car & home insurance guides)

• 31 Oct tax deadline: If completing a paper tax assessment form, it needs to be in by 31 Oct, so if you're worried deliver by hand or do it online before 31 Jan instead (see the Tax return postal strike MSE News story).
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• Utility Bills: If you're billed by post, ensure you don't lose out on early payment discounts.

• School / Uni Applications: Many primary & secondary school applications close this week, deliver by hand if it's urgent.

• eBay sales: If you're an eBay seller, do communicate the possibility of late delivery to buyers, or your feedback could be hit (see ebay selling guide).

Plus as a general rule, don't post cheques, pay bills by debit card over the phone, by bank transfer, at bank counters, by Direct Debit, or via online billing.

Its worth noting delivery by specific parcel firms is unlikely to be affected, even from Royal Mail's ParcelForce, though if you need it you can often halve the cost via Cheap Parcel Delivery guide.

This is the discussion thread for the Postal Strike Checklist included in the weekly email of 21 October 2009:

To discuss or ask a question about this checklist: click reply.

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Random

And remember the strike's mainly for letters, parcel delivery's unlikely to be affected, even from Royal Mail's ParcelForce

Not all parcels go by Parcelforce, a lot of smaller ones are sent first/second class or by standard parcel, these will be affected surely?!

custardy

all royal mail items will be affected
the term royal mail letters refers to letters,packages etc using all RM postage
according to RM special delivery and RM tracked(for large businesses not RD) will be delivered

Random

That's what I thought, the original post is a little misleading. I'd consider a parcel as anything bigger than a letter, whereas they're using it to mean something sent by courier.

Xyon81

you can check http://www.isthereapostalstrike.com
is there a postal strike

just a simple yes or no, really useful if you wanna check if you're going to get your mail today or not.

Can't believe royal mail don't realise the hole they are digging themselves with these strikes

custardy

Xyon81 wrote: »

you can check http://www.isthereapostalstrike.com
is there a postal strike

just a simple yes or no, really useful if you wanna check if you're going to get your mail today or not.

Can't believe royal mail don't realise the hole they are digging themselves with these strikes

but what does that site tell you
national only?

Baldur

custardy wrote: »

but what does that site tell you
national only?

The link on the site leads to this.

banjodog

Still waiting for tickets to Green day at Birmingham next Tuesday...anyone know what happens if they don't arrive?

Xyon81

custardy wrote: »

but what does that site tell you
national only?

on days when there is a strike it has more information like Delivery Strike: Yes Collection Strike:NO
and the places where a strike is in effect.

on days when its no it just says no lol

NatFeerick

Apparently Special Delivery items must be delivered. The managers will be dealing with things like this.

Teddyy

Interesting MBNA comment .. I note from experience they are not part of Faster Payment ... so even if youpay before the due date and your bank transfers the money you still get stung £25