Time to stamp out rising postal costs – go paperless!

There has been a great deal written about the decline of the Post Office, while postage costs in the UK rise to a record high. But precious little comment has been made on the impact this is having on British businesses that rely on this service.

Whilst the average punter on the street remains unconcerned and unaware of the costs involved in posting a letter, businesses have seen a 10% increase in cost and a slow, but steady decline in service as indicated in this article by the BBC. A 5 pence increase may have very little impact on a family sending a few letters a month, but to a company sending 50,000 letters a day this amounts to a whopping £800k a year - straight off the bottom line.

Post office wants to revamp at our cost

In today's economic climate, organisations are looking to reduce overheads in order to remain competitive. Yet, the Post Office implements monumental cost increases designed to prop up an institution that has been steadily failing for years. As a forty-something UK resident I can remember when a first class stamp meant guaranteed next day delivery. Indeed, I can also remember what it was like to be proud of our postal service.

Look at the big picture - if the Post Office is getting an extra £2 million a year from your electricity supplier, it won't be long before that increase hits you, the consumer. It makes one think twice about denying your service provider savings of the cost of a stamp by opting to go paperless – suddenly it's not about the supplier benefitting but in fact, you and me - the consumer.

Going paperless is a win-win for business and consumers alike

The eBilling technology that is available today provides consumers with a superior service to the cleft stick and papyrus, as well as to the Royal Mail. Email delivery of bills, statements, insurance documents is faster, more cost effective and provides better marketing opportunities for billers. Businesses can also benefit from paperless processes by reducing their carbon footprint, improving their service and ultimately reducing costs.

The choice is yours - go paperless and save or allow the post office to chew on your bottom line in a desperate attempt for survival.

Eric Darling
striata.com