Effects of postal strike on golf
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While the fall-out from the postal strike has had a devastating effect on many small businesses, as well as individuals who rely on Royal Mail for essential cheques and correspondence, it has also hit the online golf industry.
Although several top mail order companies use alternative courier services to deliver equipment like drivers, irons and trollies, others use Royal Mail to send out smaller items including balls, gloves and accessories.
Marcus Jones, from
www.golfballs.gg told me: "The strikes are causing problems for us. As we are based in Guernsey in the Channel Islands, we are unable to use any carrier other than Royal Mail, so have been very much at their mercy.
"The effects so far have been a significant drop in purchases (although obviously the time of year is partly responsible), but perhaps just as significant is the increase in customer enquiries regarding delays. This is not only time-consuming but also draining as often we are seen to be at fault, rather than Royal Mail. In turn I believe this is eroding people's confidence when it comes to buying online as the price advantages we are able to offer are being outweighed by the time taken to deliver."
James Toase, marketing manager for
Direct Golf UK, one of the largest golf mail order companies commented:
"There has been a negative and costly impact for our business. In terms of mail order we would normally use the Royal Mail service for smaller/lighter items such as golf gloves, balls and tees. And to ensure our customers are not waiting for these orders we have despatched them using other, more expensive couriers at no extra cost to the customer.
"Though not many customers send their orders through the post, we do still receive a number of orders this way and so the strikes have obviously led to a delay in these orders being processed," said Mr Toase.
"Our greatest concern is the effect the postal strikes will have on our direct mail marketing. We receive approx 1,000 catalogue requests every week and these are posted out through the Royal Mail. We also have our new 124-page winter catalogue scheduled to be mailed on the November 1 to over 200,000 golfers from our database.
"The timing of this catalogue arriving with consumers is critical to maximising sales and so if this mailing gets delayed there is no doubt the consequences would be damaging for our business, our suppliers, and partners supporting this promotion."
Georgina Neill from
The Neills' Golf Shop was less concerned at the effects of the strike, though similarly their brochures may be delayed.
"The strike isn't really having any effect on us as we use Parcelforce for shipping and most people pay either via credit card or bank transfer. It is a very rare occasion that we get a cheque through the post."
Talks aimed at resolving the long-running dispute are due to resume this afternoon in a bid to avert a fresh round of official strikes called by the 130,000 members of the Communication Workers Union, which have crippled mail deliveries across the country.
A new deal is understood to include reform of the Royal Mail's pension scheme, a pay rise this year of about 2.5% and changes to long-standing working practices.
Tell us on the forum how you have been affected by the postal strike. Have you been waiting for equipment or to place Christmas orders from a brochure that never arrived?
