use-by date for unused postage stamps?

worbikeman

Apologies if this q has appeared before.

I recently had a letter containing a buyer's items (collectable stamps) returned to me by RM. It was correctly weighed, correct postage applied, correct customs form all correctly filled out (I've done this before;)). The only possible reason for return that I can fathom is that the postage stamps I used on it were fairly old pictorials, though perfectly ok unused (I licked and applied them myself).

Is there a 'use-by' date for old unused stamps? If so when is it?

I always understood that all decimal issues are still valid for postage (at one time you could redeem unused stamps for cash at a PO). I have applied old stamps on customers' mail before without a problem.
I've asked this q on RM's website but as yet have received no human reply.
I like to apply GB pictorials to customers' letters (especially overseas customers) as my buyers are all philatelists (like me).

Thanks.

soolin

I occasionally sell stamps and like you use old but unused stamps on my envelopes and i have never had anything returned. Are you 100% sure your stamps were mint, ie were they gummed? I know my stamps are new as my Dad stockpiled them for several decades.

As long as they showed a decimal value then they should be usable

worbikeman

soolin wrote: »

I occasionally sell stamps and like you use old but unused stamps on my envelopes and i have never had anything returned. Are you 100% sure your stamps were mint, ie were they gummed? I know my stamps are new as my Dad stockpiled them for several decades.

As long as they showed a decimal value then they should be usable

100% sure.

I remember reading an article in Gibbons Stamp Monthly magazine which said that all post-decimal unused stamps are still valid for postage (including pre-decimal £1 stamps actually!). Where they include 1/2p values, knock off the 1/2p. (My letter didnt have any like that on it).
Methinks it's the people at the sorting office whose opinion carries more weight:(

Crowqueen

Decimal stamps are still usable. It's all the same money since 1971, after all.

I suspect you are assuming too much about the stamps you used.

custardy

worbikeman wrote: »

Apologies if this q has appeared before.

I recently had a letter containing a buyer's items (collectable stamps) returned to me by RM. It was correctly weighed, correct postage applied, correct customs form all correctly filled out (I've done this before;)). The only possible reason for return that I can fathom is that the postage stamps I used on it were fairly old pictorials, though perfectly ok unused (I licked and applied them myself).

Is there a 'use-by' date for old unused stamps? If so when is it?

I always understood that all decimal issues are still valid for postage (at one time you could redeem unused stamps for cash at a PO). I have applied old stamps on customers' mail before without a problem.
I've asked this q on RM's website but as yet have received no human reply.
I like to apply GB pictorials to customers' letters (especially overseas customers) as my buyers are all philatelists (like me).

Thanks.

what was the reason given for its return?
did it have any RM/other carrier labels/stamps on it

Welshdebtor

How long a period was there between you posting it and it being returned? Any chance it could of got to the buyer but was unable to be delivered so was returned to the sender (you)?

worbikeman

custardy wrote: »

what was the reason given for its return?
did it have any RM/other carrier labels/stamps on it

It came back into my letterbox with a normal cancellation on the back, not on the front (plus the orange bars) which means it's been thru the system. No reason given.

Crowqueen wrote: »

Decimal stamps are still usable. It's all the same money since 1971, after all.

I suspect you are assuming too much about the stamps you used.

I hope so, but I cant understand why it would be returned.

Welshdebtor wrote: »

How long a period was there between you posting it and it being returned? Any chance it could of got to the buyer but was unable to be delivered so was returned to the sender (you)?

I received it back 2 days later. The buyer is in Taiwan. I re-packaged the contents with another envelope, and applied current definitives to make it look more 'normal'. This was about a week ago, and haven't had it returned, so hope the buyer receives it ok. I wont know until I get +FB.

worbikeman

This is my letter (with details removed to conform to MSE rules).
Given that I got the weight right, what is wrong with it?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62512485@N08/5849590487/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62512485@N08/5850143706/in/photostream

Pembroke

Could be the sideways stamp, you haven't carried the weight and value through to the bottom boxes, you haven't stated how many stamps, the CN22 should be on the front with the 'to' address not on the back with the 'from' address.

Pembroke

Just to add a question I have some old orange '1st' stamps, no values like the current gold ones, can I still use them?

soolin

Pembroke wrote: »

Could be the sideways stamp, you haven't carried the weight and value through to the bottom boxes, you haven't stated how many stamps, the CN22 should be on the front with the 'to' address not on the back with the 'from' address.

I'm not sure i agree with your points.

I have never stated on a customs form how many 'items ' are included. I would also just put 'stamps' or when I was selling my sons Pokemon cards 'cards'. I never even put a weight on the CN22 and I put my CN22 on the back, that is where every post office i have ever used has put it and that is where I subsequently put mine now.

If the OP is wrong on any of those points then all my non UK parcels are also wrong, but luckily they all seem to get there. It also means that my local pOs are also wrong as I have merely copied their example when I took over stamping my own items