Comments on: Alternatives to Royal Mail – Royal Mail http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html eBay & ecommerce made easy Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:34:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: MC Miker G http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52212 MC Miker G Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:58:26 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52212 I'm sure everyone knows that there are alternatives for stuff over 2kg, it's the light stuff - CDs, letters etc - which becomes a problem. I’m sure everyone knows that there are alternatives for stuff over 2kg, it’s the light stuff – CDs, letters etc – which becomes a problem.

]]> By: AMFM http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52104 AMFM Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:01:25 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52104 Hi can anyone advise me if i would qualify for tracked service during busy times we post 30 items a day though when quiet it can be less than 10. From what i could see it looked like parcels would be £2.56 but sounds to cheap (well for a higher service than recorded delivery) Advice please Thanks sooooooooo much Hi can anyone advise me if i would qualify for tracked service during busy times we post 30 items a day though when quiet it can be less than 10.
From what i could see it looked like parcels would be £2.56 but sounds to cheap (well for a higher service than recorded delivery)
Advice please
Thanks sooooooooo much

]]> By: Hereford United Fan http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52092 Hereford United Fan Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:50:44 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52092 I have no sympathy. If 60% of postman did not vote for a strike why did they not bother voting at all. This strike is being driven by the 40% who did vote. I have no sympathy. If 60% of postman did not vote for a strike why did they not bother voting at all.

This strike is being driven by the 40% who did vote.

]]> By: Chris Dawson http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52089 Chris Dawson Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:58:04 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52089 Totally agree with you. I live out in the sticks and I've not managed to find a single postie who's in favour of striking. Mostly it's a "I'd rather not comment" or an "I'm keeping out of it" apart from the one enlightened chap who said "There will be a strike and then they'll sit round the table and sort it out so why don't they just sit round the table and sort it out?" Totally agree with you. I live out in the sticks and I’ve not managed to find a single postie who’s in favour of striking.

Mostly it’s a “I’d rather not comment” or an “I’m keeping out of it” apart from the one enlightened chap who said “There will be a strike and then they’ll sit round the table and sort it out so why don’t they just sit round the table and sort it out?”

]]> By: John http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52087 John Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:44:54 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52087 I know this won't go down well , but spare a thought for your average postman. The none millitant ones i have been speaking to feel they have no choice but to strike, several have said to me they feel bullied by both the union and the mail bosses. I post on average of 200 packets a week and have very few problems,9 times out of 10 a buyer has been to lazy to ask for a re-delivery or collect the package. I value the postal service it is important to me, yes the timing is bloody awful and i hope it is a sorted quickly but as ever there are two sides to every story. As a foot note: i really feel for the Post Office staff this week that have to put up with all the fall out from this, poor sods get the blame for everything. I know this won’t go down well , but spare a thought for your average postman.
The none millitant ones i have been speaking to feel they have no choice but to strike, several have said to me they feel bullied by both the union and the mail bosses.
I post on average of 200 packets a week and have very few problems,9 times out of 10 a buyer has been to lazy to ask for a re-delivery or collect the package.
I value the postal service it is important to me, yes the timing is bloody awful and i hope it is a sorted quickly but as ever there are two sides to every story.
As a foot note: i really feel for the Post Office staff this week that have to put up with all the fall out from this, poor sods get the blame for everything.

]]> By: Andy http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52085 Andy Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:41:35 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52085 We're the same as you but we're not posting anything from Wednesday till Friday. We will be getting a collection on Saturday though. There's absolutely no point posting into the strike. Your customers will get their packages sent on Saturday well before the ones posted from Wed - Fri for the reasons outlined here before. If you do decide to post in the strike all I'd say if 'good luck'. We’re the same as you but we’re not posting anything from Wednesday till Friday. We will be getting a collection on Saturday though.

There’s absolutely no point posting into the strike. Your customers will get their packages sent on Saturday well before the ones posted from Wed – Fri for the reasons outlined here before.

If you do decide to post in the strike all I’d say if ‘good luck’.

]]> By: Bigpoppa http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52082 Bigpoppa Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:10:02 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52082 Are there really that many people on here that can leave the posting till Monday, We're currently posting about 250/300 items a day. If I waited till Monday I would need a convoy of RM trucks :shock: Are there really that many people on here that can leave the posting till Monday, We’re currently posting about 250/300 items a day. If I waited till Monday I would need a convoy of RM trucks :shock:

]]> By: Paul http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52071 Paul Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:50:06 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52071 Royal Mail today say that whilst Special Delivery and Tracked will be prioritised, they aren't guaranteeing a next day service for items posted on strike days, so beware if you though these methods would be unaffected. It's worth getting their daily service email updates; http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump1;jsessionid=PCJPVIM4MYTFQFB2IGFUNZQUHRAYUQ2K?catId=400144&mediaId=103100757 and using the info to email your customers on every despatch to reduce the chances of complaint. I've had a few feedbacks left with messages like 'good service, still got through despite the strikes' where they may not have even known there was action taking place without it. Like most on here though, I think I'm going to leave posting until the Monday if it does happen. Royal Mail today say that whilst Special Delivery and Tracked will be prioritised, they aren’t guaranteeing a next day service for items posted on strike days, so beware if you though these methods would be unaffected.
It’s worth getting their daily service email updates;
http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump1;jsessionid=PCJPVIM4MYTFQFB2IGFUNZQUHRAYUQ2K?catId=400144&mediaId=103100757
and using the info to email your customers on every despatch to reduce the chances of complaint. I’ve had a few feedbacks left with messages like ‘good service, still got through despite the strikes’ where they may not have even known there was action taking place without it. Like most on here though, I think I’m going to leave posting until the Monday if it does happen.

]]> By: Bigpoppa http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52070 Bigpoppa Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:07:49 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52070 We're very lucky in that our main depot is about 2 minutes drive away, we normally end up dropping a load off in the evening anyway...open up until 19:30 which helps. We’re very lucky in that our main depot is about 2 minutes drive away, we normally end up dropping a load off in the evening anyway…open up until 19:30 which helps.

]]> By: John Pemberton http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52068 John Pemberton Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:28:48 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52068 I use RM Tracked. The problem is the postie will not be picking up on Thur/Fri, so we will have to take to the depot or management will be collecting. Best to call your account manager each morning, and be prepared to take it to the depot yourself. I use RM Tracked. The problem is the postie will not be picking up on Thur/Fri, so we will have to take to the depot or management will be collecting. Best to call your account manager each morning, and be prepared to take it to the depot yourself.

]]> By: John Pemberton http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52067 John Pemberton Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:25:55 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52067 From my experience here are reliable alternitives to use. Some people have mentioned some already: 1. Interlink Express. Account customers only. Good for UK and Zone 1 Europe. Takes 1-2 day to set up. Pricing will be high initially, but can be negotiatiated over time. 2. Fastway Couriers. You have to buy pre-paid vouchers (min of 3 books of red / 60 tickets at about £6 per ticket). Cheaper local delivery available (black tickets). Reliable and efficient franchise operation. Can be set-up and operated in 1 day. Not full UK coverage for pick-up, but delivery is full for mainland UK. More expensive to delivery to highlands/islands/ London. 3. Parcel2go and Interparcel.com. Good value, pay as you go service. Sometimes dont turn up (not guaranteed that day). Customer services can be long winded. Good overall service via DHL or UPS mainly. Reasonable price for UK and Europe. 4. TNT. pricy account based, but reliable service for UK, Europe. From my experience here are reliable alternitives to use. Some people have mentioned some already:

1. Interlink Express. Account customers only. Good for UK and Zone 1 Europe. Takes 1-2 day to set up. Pricing will be high initially, but can be negotiatiated over time.

2. Fastway Couriers. You have to buy pre-paid vouchers (min of 3 books of red / 60 tickets at about £6 per ticket). Cheaper local delivery available (black tickets). Reliable and efficient franchise operation. Can be set-up and operated in 1 day. Not full UK coverage for pick-up, but delivery is full for mainland UK. More expensive to delivery to highlands/islands/ London.

3. Parcel2go and Interparcel.com. Good value, pay as you go service. Sometimes dont turn up (not guaranteed that day). Customer services can be long winded. Good overall service via DHL or UPS mainly. Reasonable price for UK and Europe.

4. TNT. pricy account based, but reliable service for UK, Europe.

]]> By: Andy http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52059 Andy Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:29:41 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52059 :grin: :grin:

]]> By: Andy http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52058 Andy Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:29:18 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52058 The reason I asked was I was just interested and I also thought about the 'what if I picked up mail for my postcode (12 houses) and delivered it. Was just interested in others thoughts. But as you say RM have 30,000 temp staff coming in. As someone has just said on Sky. Looks like a good old confrontation from the 80's and the only party who gets a bloody nose in situations like this is the union. We'll have to see... Story of the 30K is here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/royal-mail-will-hire-30000-extra-workers-to-beat-strike-1804868.html The reason I asked was I was just interested and I also thought about the ‘what if I picked up mail for my postcode (12 houses) and delivered it. Was just interested in others thoughts.

But as you say RM have 30,000 temp staff coming in. As someone has just said on Sky. Looks like a good old confrontation from the 80’s and the only party who gets a bloody nose in situations like this is the union. We’ll have to see…

Story of the 30K is here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/royal-mail-will-hire-30000-extra-workers-to-beat-strike-1804868.html

]]> By: hitch http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52055 hitch Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:08:51 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52055 No need to volunteer, RM are taking on 30,000 additional temporary workers very soon, could see a few applications from broke Ebay sellers ! No need to volunteer, RM are taking on 30,000 additional temporary workers very soon, could see a few applications from broke Ebay sellers !

]]> By: Jimbo http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52045 Jimbo Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:47:40 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52045 "Personally I think if they go on strike they should be sacked on the spot" haven't you said that before? And how exactly would that help (if it was even legal)? “Personally I think if they go on strike they should be sacked on the spot” haven’t you said that before?

And how exactly would that help (if it was even legal)?

]]> By: AnotherSteve http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52044 AnotherSteve Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:31:35 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52044 "ParcelForce services should be unaffected by strike action" Oh!, still crap then? “ParcelForce services should be unaffected by strike action”

Oh!, still crap then?

]]> By: board_surfer http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52043 board_surfer Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:22:49 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52043 I cant see that being allowed. RM would not be insured and in the PC world we live in would probably get sued for a paper cut. Personally I think if they go on strike they should be sacked on the spot. I cant see that being allowed.

RM would not be insured and in the PC world we live in would probably get sued for a paper cut.

Personally I think if they go on strike they should be sacked on the spot.

]]> By: Ellen Kunec http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52042 Ellen Kunec Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:04:40 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52042 Well, I would be happy to drive over to the Sorting Office in town, pick up the mail for my estate (about 300 houses) and deliver it. Is that any use to you? Well, I would be happy to drive over to the Sorting Office in town, pick up the mail for my estate (about 300 houses) and deliver it. Is that any use to you?

]]> By: Andy http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52041 Andy Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:37:13 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52041 Just a question. Would you ever be prepared to volunteer a couple of your hours at a RM sorting centre or whatever to help process packages? I ask because it dawned on me this morning - as whirly has said before - that sorting and delivering mail is not rocket science. So why couldn't the public or more likely small businesses help? Or wouldn't that work? I'm sure everyone here will have the answer if there is one. :smile: Just a question. Would you ever be prepared to volunteer a couple of your hours at a RM sorting centre or whatever to help process packages?

I ask because it dawned on me this morning – as whirly has said before – that sorting and delivering mail is not rocket science. So why couldn’t the public or more likely small businesses help? Or wouldn’t that work?

I’m sure everyone here will have the answer if there is one. :smile:

]]> By: Chris Dawson http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52038 Chris Dawson Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:48:15 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52038 RM Special Delivery and RM Tracked will be expedited by RM management during the strikes. The service guarantee will be suspended, but the intention is that those two premium services will still get through the system (That's RM Tracked, not RM Signed For aka Recorded Delivery) RM Special Delivery and RM Tracked will be expedited by RM management during the strikes. The service guarantee will be suspended, but the intention is that those two premium services will still get through the system

(That’s RM Tracked, not RM Signed For aka Recorded Delivery)

]]> By: Nick http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52037 Nick Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:45:21 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52037 Bigpoppa Is that RM Tracked? If RM are on strike how will that help? Bigpoppa

Is that RM Tracked? If RM are on strike how will that help?

]]> By: whirly http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52034 whirly Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:13:27 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52034 Because we have turned into a bunch of euro softies, nobody has the balls to speak out anymore. Banning strikes would probably fall foul of some human right act dreamed up by the plonkers in Brussells. If any of our staff went on strike I would sack'm on the bloody spot,pay the fine to the tribunal and move on..some folk just take chuffing liberties. Plenty of people in the UK on the dole who would jump at the chance of £400 a week. *back to the naughty corner* Because we have turned into a bunch of euro softies, nobody has the balls to speak out anymore.

Banning strikes would probably fall foul of some human right act dreamed up by the plonkers in Brussells.

If any of our staff went on strike I would sack’m on the bloody spot,pay the fine to the tribunal and move on..some folk just take chuffing liberties.

Plenty of people in the UK on the dole who would jump at the chance of £400 a week.

*back to the naughty corner*

]]> By: Bigpoppa http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52033 Bigpoppa Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:01:30 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52033 300% is a BIG increase "but" you only have to sustain that level of increase for a few days...a lot of money for sure but the alternative isn't worth thinking about. We will be sending most items tracked and crossing our fingers, each tracked item costs around £2.92 ish so a BIG increase for us but like I say, only for a few days. 300% is a BIG increase “but” you only have to sustain that level of increase for a few days…a lot of money for sure but the alternative isn’t worth thinking about.

We will be sending most items tracked and crossing our fingers, each tracked item costs around £2.92 ish so a BIG increase for us but like I say, only for a few days.

]]> By: Savvy Paul http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52032 Savvy Paul Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:20:49 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52032 The CWU are big contributors to Labour Party funds - Gordon's lack of balls on this issue is no accident. The CWU are big contributors to Labour Party funds – Gordon’s lack of balls on this issue is no accident.

]]> By: Andy http://tamebay.com/2009/10/alternatives-to-royal-mail-%e2%80%93-royal-mail.html#comment-52030 Andy Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:51:43 +0000 http://tamebay.com/?p=8916#comment-52030 Been said here before but in the USA USPS are not allowed to strike. Why couldn't it be the same here? Been said here before but in the USA USPS are not allowed to strike. Why couldn’t it be the same here?

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