Rip Off

MissSearle

Dear All

I wonder if anyone can help me find out who to compalin to about this?

I went to my local Newsagents today and asked him if he sold stamps. He did. I said I only wanted one which he charged me 45p for. I told him that First Class stamps are only 41p, but he still took the money.

Now while I understand that independent retailers have to add more to sustain their businesses, I think adding 4p to a First Class stamp is just wrong.

Does anyone know of any bobies I can raise this issue with as I want to make a compalint?

Thank you!

Antispam

Hello MissSearle

any reason you posted this in Referrers Board rather than the correct board Praise, Vent & Warnings

Meepster

***sigh***

chrissyy2007

He can't do this. They are and have been used as currency. You cannot charge £5.04 for a five pound note just as you cannot charge 45 pence for a 41 pence stamp.
I believe that he has to gain permission from her majesty if he charges more.

Postal orders are different and gained neccessary approvals before they were sold for more than their worth. Stamps just like £5 notes have had no such approvals.

In fact you could argue that money/stamps being undervalued or overvalued will have a large impact on a countries AAA credit rating. This is why companies cannot just make it up as they go along.

Rules for 'collectors' items are different of course but he did not sell you a collectors stamp but a one which was to be used.

shaun_from_Africa

He can't do this. They are and have been used as currency. You cannot charge £5.04 for a five pound note just as you cannot charge 45 pence for a 41 pence stamp.
I believe that he has to gain permission from her majesty if he charges more.

Stamps are not legal currency, and retailers are legally entitled to charge what they like for them. They may well be in breech of the T&C's that Royal mail give to their retailers, but these are not UK legislation, and there is no way to know if the shop in question is registered as a RM reseller.

If stamps were legal tender, I could make a guaranteed 4% return on my money in just one day by buying bulk stamps from Costco.

They charge £19.68 for a pack of 50 1st class stamps, for which the "face value" is £20.50.


Don't forget that businesses have to charge VAT on postage stamps when sold as part of a service (such as P&P), and this wouldn't be allowed if they classed as currency.

custardy

MissSearle wrote: »

Dear All

I wonder if anyone can help me find out who to compalin to about this?

I went to my local Newsagents today and asked him if he sold stamps. He did. I said I only wanted one which he charged me 45p for. I told him that First Class stamps are only 41p, but he still took the money.

Now while I understand that independent retailers have to add more to sustain their businesses, I think adding 4p to a First Class stamp is just wrong.

Does anyone know of any bobies I can raise this issue with as I want to make a compalint?

Thank you!

so you still purchased them even though its a "rip off"
you did so because it was convenient to you
I have no problem with companies charging what they like
the other day i bought a bottle of water from the garage as i needed change.
in my usual garage its 50p,in this one it was over £1!,but thats the way it goes

Freddie_Snowbits

Young Girl, Brenda at the D&D would joyfully remove your cash for you, though she would never knowingly overcharge you.

marywooyeah

custardy seeing as you're an ex postie would you be able to clarify whether or not stamps can be sold for more than their face value?

gordikin

marywooyeah wrote: »

custardy seeing as you're an ex postie would you be able to clarify whether or not stamps can be sold for more than their face value?

Yes they can...1st or 2nd has no obvious value.

Stonk

As the OP was wondering to whom to complain, may I suggest Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs?

Stamps are not normally subject to VAT. However, if they are sold in excess of face value and are not philatelically collectible, then the excess amount is VATable. This retailer should therefore be declaring and paying almost a full penny of VAT.

Stonk

MissSearle wrote: »

I think adding 4p to a First Class stamp is just wrong.

Better take a deep breath when you get up on 4th April ...