Is this legal? overcharging for stamps, then no refund?

wil2

Hi

I was just at the Post Office needing to buy 3x book of 12 second class stamps, the queue was at least 30 mins and going out the door.

I remembered that the shop across the road sold stamps so I went in there. I bought them and as I was walking home, I felt like they had overcharged me.

I checked the receipt and they had. Upon ringing up, I was told that this is a service charge.

Now, the reason I did not even question it as I was paying is because I always thought that stamps were legal tender and no where could over charge. I rang up the post office and was told the same thing, anywhere that sells stamps is allowed to buy in bulk and/or sell under price, but no where can sell over.

I went in and asked for a refund and was first told no refunds... they do not have any sign up anywhere, and then when I said why not etc... I was told that they do not give them, and the manager is not there.

I am really annoyed, it is not really about the money now... (£1 ish..) it is about them being extremly rude to a customer and basically... well, you know.. ARGH

Anyway, anyone know what to do next?

Sssssss

you saved yourself a 30minute wait, isn't that worth the xtra £1?

wil2

I would say yes if the shop was nice, or friendly... but they were so rude, annoying, more etc... it is more about principal.

peediedj

wil2 wrote: »

I would say yes if the shop was nice, or friendly... but they were so rude, annoying, more etc... it is more about principal.

if it bothers you so much gimme your address and i,ll send ya a £1,and queue for 30 mins next tiem in the post office to keep urself happy:p

Freddie_Snowbits

As far as I am aware, the PO do not discount the sale of stamps to other businesses, hence although they may sell them, they can charge for the service.

(My old newsagent used to do this as he was not allowed to have the PO in his store) The PO was a good 10 minutes walk away. Another reason why the Post Offices have gone bust over the years.

lesley1960

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

As far as I am aware, the PO do not discount the sale of stamps to other businesses, hence although they may sell them, they can charge for the service.

(My old newsagent used to do this as he was not allowed to have the PO in his store) The PO was a good 10 minutes walk away. Another reason why the Post Offices have gone bust over the years.

The Postoffice does sell stamps to other businesses cheaper then the face value of the stamp

Mark7799

wil2 wrote: »

Hi


Now, the reason I did not even question it as I was paying is because I always thought that stamps were legal tender and no where could over charge. I rang up the post office and was told the same thing, anywhere that sells stamps is allowed to buy in bulk and/or sell under price, but no where can sell over.

Postage stamps are not legal tender

98jdougl

i know that my partner sells stamps in his card shop and they get no profit at all off of them!

ethansmum

I bought some stmps from Costco- i can't remember the exact price but they were definately cheaper than face value. So the answer s yes the post office DO sell them cheaper.

dmg24

I would imagine that the shop would argue that you were not overcharged for the stamps, but that you were charged a separate fee for using their services.

Not sure if I agree with it or not, but I can't see it being illegal.

marleyboy

Sssssss wrote: »

you saved yourself a 30minute wait, isn't that worth the xtra £1?

I would say "NO" its not. However you butter it up, its still "ripping off" customers. Exactly how many customers does it take, before one says "hang on a minute.....this is a rip off"