Reusing stamps?

mizelle

I get a lot of Christmas cards in the post with no postmark on the stamp. Would it be fraudulent to reuse the stamp?

My mum laughed at me and called me tight [which is true], but I wonder if it's a bit unethical to use the stamp knowing it's already been used.

Thoughts?

NBLondon

As I understand it - it is illegal to re-use it. However, whether the Royal Mail would actually notice, track you down, prosecute you is another matter. They might instead charge the recipient as if there was no stamp (2nd class plus £1 surcharge).

So if it's completely unmarked and you used it to send something to a PO Box or large organisation then you'd most likely get away with it.

The plain blue and gold stamps from booklets have extra perforations to make it difficult of and re-use - but the Christmas ones don't.

This is all hypothetical of course wouldn't want to encourage any wrongdoing

SandC

I've done it before with no repercussions. In fact, I got a card just the other day from a friend who doesn't live far away (but ran out of time to go visiting) and hers definitely hadn't been through the system - our post goes to a sorting office in Wolverhampton and that's 40 odd miles away. I think some may be using their discretion with post that is going to make a silly journey just to go down the road.

custardy

yeah,why pay for it when you can get it for free
PS only 3 more shoplifting days left till Christmas

teacherandmum

i do it - never thought you couldnt reuse if they hadnt been 'stamped'. Ive a few on my fridge that i was going to reuse off cards weve had so far. i usually cut them out and then pritt stick them on........................oops

kittywight

hahah my friend does this

im too scared ..... :P

saterkey

I understand there are scanners coming into the post offices this year so they can tell which ones have been used even if they dont look like it.

geoffmum

I would worry what I posted was "lost" !

mizelle

teacherandmum wrote: »

i do it - never thought you couldnt reuse if they hadnt been 'stamped'. Ive a few on my fridge that i was going to reuse off cards weve had so far. i usually cut them out and then pritt stick them on........................oops

That's what I was planning to do.. haha..

P2TKL

mizelle wrote: »

That's what I was planning to do.. haha..

Been doing this for years......!

Skintbint_3

It's my understanding that it is illegal, but is a matter of ethics/choice as to whether reuse of unfranked stamps is personally acceptable.