Down Stream Access (DSA’s) - are they beneficial?
I think the Royal Mail strikes in Autumn 2009 proved that the intentions of a providing a real alternative to Royal Mail has not happened. However as you will see from your home door mat the Down Stream Access suppliers have successfully seduced large mailers. But is it all that it seems?
Following years of criticising the Royal Mail, as a Mailing House, I am now thinking of extolling their virtues! It’s taken a long time but I can see shoots of them becoming “customer centric”
DSA’s such as TNT, UK mail, DHL etc have taken on the old Royal Mail ethos and treat mailing houses shabbily. The promises are good, but in my experience:-
More work in processing, dispatching, forecasting etc. Each DSA supplies different software, containers, vans and arrive at ridiculous times. Any time benefits are eroded and environmentally it cannot be right that we currently have 4 vans each day, rather than one big red one at 5pm. Every mailing is a battle, with the client in the middle.
Our clients have also been disappointed to find that whilst there are reduced rates quoted per item, when the invoice finally arrives they are not always better off. In my experience the Salesman rarely includes the Residue items, and standard tariff items, which always exist.
Think the message is BEWARE of Greeks baring Gifts. Sally Hollis Jan 2010