An awkwardly-timed postal strike next week is set to bring chaos to Britain in the run-ups to the tax return deadline and Christmas. However, Consumer Focus and Times Money have put together five simple steps readers can take to minimise the inconvenience.


1. Get your post sent as soon as possible
Try to post items well ahead of planned strike dates (once announced). Initial indications are that the earliest could be next Monday, but next Thursday is more likely. The deadline for filing tax returns is October 31. The Revenue 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.

2. Use a post office not a post box
When a strike is happening take your outgoing mail to a Post Office because there is more chance that mail will be collected from these premises than post boxes.

3. Consider Special Delivery or an alternative delivery service
If mail is urgent, consider sending it by Royal Mail Special Delivery as this service normally operates during a strike - but check with Post Office staff first. Prices start at £4.95 for weights up to 100g (for delivery before 1pm the next working day).

Royal Mail's specialist parcel division Parcelforce is not threatened by strike action. This charges £29.50 to deliver a 1kg parcel from London to Manchester by 9am the next working day.

You may also wish to consider using a courier, but do check the cost first as they can be very expensive. The Service Point scheme, operated by DNL, is available at WH Smith, Staples, Ryman and Cartridge World. It will deliver to anywhere in the UK, including outer-lying islands, and also to anywhere overseas but prices start at £5.95 for an envelope.

In total, thirty companies listed here, are licensed to deliver letters that weigh under 350g. These include Citipost, which charges £2.50 to collect and deliver a standard letter.

4. Use the telephone or email
If you have already sent urgent outgoing mail and think it may be delayed, contact the recipient by telephone or other means to notify them. Likewise, if you are expecting urgent mail, such as tickets or legal documents, check that the sender has sent them. If not, contact them by another means to arrange an alternative method for receiving them.

If you are awaiting information on an urgent appointment, notify the organisation by telephone and ask to be informed by an alternative method, such as telephone or email.

5. Use bank branches or the internet to pay bills

If payment is due for any bills or credit card payments, try to pay these at bank, building societies, post offices or online as late payment may result in interest charges or penalties. Bear in mind that customers who pay by Direct Debit are not at risk. Now may be a good time to switch payment method.

(Courtesy Times Newspapers)