10.18.07
What if your Postman Strike?
Think it’s not quite possible? Well, the fact is, everything is possible under the SUN – Never, NEVER ever take things for granted.
UK Royal Mail (Union, what else?) having one of the worst postal strike ever, as a result of serious dispute over the mother of all evil – $$$ Paycheck $$$.
So you can imagine the negative impact it will have on UK businesses, especially online merchants that rely heavily on company like Royal Mail to deliver the merchandizes to their clients. Just like it would spell disastrous to US if USPS strikes or Malaysia if Pos Malaysia strikes, businesses would be paralyzed. And Simon Cow definitely would not be delighted.
“The strike is destroying the industry. Our industry works on confidence and trust of the customers. The Royal Mail is the only doorstep delivery business in the UK. The uncertainty that this is bringing into the market place is a nightmare.
It is particularly hard for small firms who do not have the means to engage a replacement carrier at short notice.
The effects will be permanent. Internet shopping is delivery and if that is uncertain then the industry is uncertain. It will hit Christmas sales and the Royal Mail in the long term.” James Roper, Interactive Media in Retail Group’s Chief Executive
The Union seems to forget who matter most – it’s about the customers! It’s not the management that pays them, it’s the customers! Why upset the customer? Believe me, their business will be eventually be hurt, it takes years for you to build confidence but only a few days to demolish it.
You can see what the strikers are “fighting” for here. Some e-commerce merchants are advising for alternatives shipping methods to avoid delayed shipments to their customers.
Those well prepared – like dabs.com, will have a contingency plan, they will have something like below on their website. Those unprepared will be hit hard by their customers, needless to say.
Read more on the news here
Postal strike could harm online Xmas sales – IMRG
Postal workers to strike again over pay stand-off
So what’s the moral of this story? In the real world, Murphy laws apply. For every e-commerce merchants, you need some contingency plan in place in case what works now fail in the next minute.
Lots of things just might go haywire.
- What if your “ONLY” payment solution fails to work? Do you have a 2nd payment option letting you process credit card too?
- What if your “ONLY” email fails to work? Do you have alternative email that your customer can reach you?
- What if your Postmen (inspired by Royal Mail) strike? Do you have an account ready with other courier services company that you can utilize instantly?
- What if your website fails and your hosting company tells you that they forgot to backup your database? Do you actually run a backup (especially the database) that can help you recover your website within 24 hours time?
Our advice to you: Life is unpredictable, always have a disaster recovery plan. Once something goes wrong, you will thank us for it. Also please treat your Postman with respect by saying a simple thank you when they pick up your parcels or send you something! You never know, this simple & genuine gesture might work a miracle. 
Happy selling online!
