Postal strikes: How to use the web to beat the strike

Strikes affecting the Royal Mail are taking place nationwide on Thursday and Friday. Here we take a look at a number of ways the web can help you get around the industrial action.

Send an e-card
If you're looking to send a birthday card, you could send a virtual card instead. OK, so it might not be able to take pride of place on the mantelpiece, but it's better than no card at all.

You've got several options: E-Cards.com, Ecards.co.uk and 123Greetings are just a few of the dozens of sites that let you send virtual greetings.

Do you have to physically send the item?
If you're trying to pay a bill, post a cheque or make some other kind of payment, chances are you can do it online. If you don't have online banking set up on your accounts, though, it could take a while to set up.

Another problem is that for security purposes, banks often send you two separate access codes by post to enable you to set up online account management. However, if you're a Barclaycard customer, you can set up your account so it can be looked after online quickly and easily, according to the company. See for www.barclaycard.co.uk for more information.

Parcel delivery
A number of other companies - DHL, FedEx and City Link to name just a few - will deliver parcels over a certain weight. Prices vary, though you are likely to pay more than for a standard delivery through the Royal Mail.

Watchdog Consumer Focus advises using alternative postal operators if possible but if you do use the Royal Mail, select Special Delivery as these items are given priority during strike action.

Buying online
The good news is that a number of online retailers don't rely on the Royal Mail to deliver their parcels. Amazon did have a big contract with Royal Mail, but has since switched to Home Delivery Network Limited (HDNL) for all packages under 500g.

Play.com recently told Web User that it had made alternative arrangements to ensure that customers would get their deliveries on time, though didn't elaborate any further. Other retailers such as Argos offer you a number of delivery options including the Royal Mail. Alternatives are a little more expensive, but at least offer you solid guarantees of delivery.

Keep tabs on deliveries
There are also ways the web can help you to keep track of your parcels no matter who is delivering them. If you are an iPhone owner, for example, you can download and install the Delivery Status Touch app.

It costs £1.79 but will let you keep track of orders from Amazon if you input your login details and reference number - similarly, it can keep track of parcels being carried by DHL, City Link, FedEx and even the Royal Mail's own ParcelForce (which, incidentally, is not affected by the strike action).

It can keep tabs on multiple orders all at once, but if you don't have an iPhone, don't despair. Most online retailers and courier firms offer you online parcel-tracking tools, which should be easy to find on the company's website.