Fundamentals of Business

Drawbacks of third party providers

The following is one of the examples of extracts of drawbacks that you can't control

SMEs in danger of postal strikes
FSB warns smaller companies could go under if invoice payments are delayed through further industrial action.

Kayleigh Bateman, CRN, 12 Nov 2007
VARs are feeling the bite of the postal strike as the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) warns further strikes could force small companies out of business.

The strike in October is believed to have cost the London economy alone more than £300m after several thousand postal workers took part in the dispute, causing a backlog of 12 million letters and parcels in UK sorting offices. Simon Briault, representative for the FSB, said: It is not just about sending a few letters or parcels, it is about the whole economy. Research conducted by the FSB found that 94 per cent of SMEs use Royal Mail exclusively and 89 per cent of them use the company every day.

SMEs do not really have an alternative to Royal Mail. Due to privatisation, alternative services have cherry picked the larger organisations, for example government bodies, and do not see SMEs as a business opportunity, added Briault.

CNN International, December 21, 2007 - Updated 1427 GMT (2227 HKT)
British airports face strike action

LONDON, England (AP) - Staff at some of Britain's busiest airports have voted to stage three strikes in the New Year, their union said Friday.

Workers at seven airports, including London's Heathrow and Gatwick, decided to take action after airport operator BAA announced its intention to change its employee pension plan, the Unite union said.
Unite said the strikes would lead to severe disruptions during a normally busy period, while BAA called on the union to return to talks.

The first strike will be for 24 hours on January 7, the second will be for the same length on January 14, and the third will be for 48 hours starting January 17.

Edinburgh, Stansted, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton are the other airports affected.
Workers involved include fire fighters, maintenance and security staff and clerical workers, said Brendan Gold, a Unite representative.

These are few examples, there are many others.
Before you consider using a third party you must look at other factors.