Five ways to beat the postal strike

With the tax return deadline looming and Christmas approaching the current situation with the postal service may not be particularly well timed for a number of people.

The situation has been highlighted by the Guardian, as it sent out 500 postcards last Tuesday yet only ten postcards - or two per cent - had arrived by the following day, the day before the nationwide strike was set to begin. The findings suggest that the Royal Mail's aim to deliver 93 per cent of first-class mail by the next day isn't happening.

The strike may particularly be causing problems for small businesses and eBay sellers, yet despite the problems that are being faced across Britain there is no need to panic as there are a few ways in which you can minimise the effects that it has on you.

Go online or use the phone instead

The internet allows many alternatives to using the old-fashioned postal method. One such method could be to go online to pay your bills. This instant and usually fairly simple process is a standard option for many companies these days and could save you from the worry that important payments won't be made on time.

This can also be applied to letters too. An e-mail or a phone call instead of a letter is an instant method of solving many problems that you may face during the uncertain period.

Changing your payment habits now could be a more convenient approach for you on a permanent basis and reduce the risk of you getting stung financially by mail delays.

In terms of credit cards, failing to meet your monthly repayments can prove costly; the initial £12 fine is an inconvenience but you may also miss out on preferential interest rates that you currently have. Your credit rating may also be affected, damaging your ability to secure a good deal on credit in the future. Figures from the UK Payments Administration show that 23 per cent of all credit card bills are still paid by cheque and most are sent by post.

It may be wise to contact your card provider directly over the phone to find out when your next bill is due. This may also be a good idea for people that are usually sent paper bills for mobile phones, although most operators usually remind you via text message.

You should be able to make payments online, over the phone or at your local bank or Post Office.

Get your post sent as soon as possible

Although an obvious suggestion it could prove to be a sensible idea. As the Guardian research tends to suggest the Royal Mail's intentions of getting first class post delivered on time may not be met.

The tax returns deadline is October 31st, so plan ahead, although HM Revenue & Customs has indicated that it will look favourably on appeals made by those who post their returns "in good time" but are fined because the mail is held up.

Consider Special Delivery or an alternative delivery service

Courier services are benefiting from the Royal Mail strikes and although these can prove expensive, some may prove cheaper than the Post Office's Special Delivery service dependent on your requirements. Prices for Special Delivery start at £4.95 for weights of up to 100 g (with delivery before 13:00 the next working day).

Royal Mail's specialist parcel division Parcelforce is not threatened by strike action and a 1 kg parcel sent from London to Manchester can be delivered before 09:00 the next day for £29.50.

Use a Post Office rather than a post box

When a strike is occurring mail is more likely to be collected from your local Post Office than it is a post box. Therefore it may be sensible to take your outgoing mail to the Post Office to increase the likelihood of it being delivered within a shorter time frame.

Get in touch

The postal strike is happening across the country so if you are concerned that something you've sent or are planning to send will be delayed then let the other party know. Depending on the situation they may be sympathetic and at the very least they are aware that what you've sent should be arriving soon.