Don’t Let The Postal Strike Cost You Money
October 19th, 2009 5 Comments » | POSTED BY ROB
Royal Mail workers are planning a national postal strike at the end of this week (Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd October), and as well as the disruption this could cause, there’s also a chance it could cost some people money.
If you pay your bills or invoices through the post, by cheque, for example, then there’s a chance that you could incur charges for a missed payment – especially true if you pay your credit card bills in this way.
Although the volume of cheque payments continues to fall, some are still likely to get caught out. If you are due to make a payment this week, give your credit card provider (or whichever supplier you might have to pay) to see what other payment methods are available. Many will now be able to accept debit card payments either over the phone or online.
For credit card payments it’s usually a good idea to get a Direct Debit setup to pay at least the minimum payment so you know that you’re making at least 1 timely payment each month – of course, ideally you should be paying off your full credit card balance each month, but that’s naturally not always practical.
The Payments Council offers the following top tips for paying bills during the postal strikes:
- Keep a note of when your credit card statements or other regular bills are due. If you think a bill may be due you should check with your supplier
- If you have already sent a cheque to pay your credit card bill and are concerned about it getting there in time, speak to your credit card company
- If your bill is due during the period of the strike, look at other payment options:
- pay online – if you bank online or by phone you can set up a transfer or you can log onto your credit card company’s site and pay by debit card
- pay by cash or cheque at your bank or local post office
- Consider setting up a Direct Debit to pay at least the minimum payment on your credit card bill. This can usually be done simply over the telephone or online
photo credit: amandabhslater
5 Comments on “Don’t Let The Postal Strike Cost You Money”
Dale Harries, October 19th, 2009
There is a thread on the old http://www.moneyroadshow.co.uk/forum/ at the moment about what to do if your credit card is due about now. Think the general consensus what that the companies will have realised that payments might be later this month.
Lucky me! I don’t have to make a payment to Cap One till next month! Woo Hoo!
Hii there,
Nice article all figures are very clear.. Its very informative and very appreciative… Good luck
Mark Inglis, October 19th, 2009
This strike has been coming for a number of weeks. Companies that are left high and dry during it should of put in place plans weeks ago.
Chris, October 21st, 2009
We started using a company called NoMorePost.com a few weeks ago when we first knew about the postal strikes.
Our business depends on our documents and invoices getting to our customers on time.
It a great service and I cannot say enough good things about it.
Don’t think we will be using royal mail in future unless it is absolutely necessary
regards
chris
Payday Loans, December 29th, 2009
Some great help here as we are sure to have more strikes in the new year.
