What is happening as a result of the disputes is a speeding-up of the trend towards email and the use of carriers other than RM. But it's a change that has been going on for some time.

Recently, Bonhams announced that the familiar art and antiques mini-catalogues synonymous with their regional general sales are to disappear at the end of the year.

The company's sales of lots priced between £50 and £500 will continue in Chester, Knowle, Edinburgh and Oxford, but the no-nonsense £2 catalogues will now be replaced by an email alert to subscribers.

In a letter to them, Bonhams says the decision has been taken to save paper. The same argument was made earlier this year when Sotheby's changed the format for some sales catalogues to a "handbag-friendly" size.

Email has become just as popular in many of our region's salerooms, while keen competition between carriers has ensured that few businesses, in the trade or out, are unaware of the alternatives to Royal Mail for sending packages.

"We use FedEx, DHL and UPS as well as Royal Mail, depending on the size and nature of what we're sending and where we're sending it to," says Andrew Aldridge of Henry Aldridge and Son of Devizes.

"We give our clients the choice, and a good number still go for Royal Mail, whose special delivery service has never let us down, even during strikes.

"You don't want to be sending out hundreds of letters special delivery, of course, and it's frustrating for both parties when cheques are held up in the post.

"But all in all, we've not lost faith in Royal Mail by a long way."