'Why stamps that say '1st' stay valid in perpetuity (so hoard 'em)' blog discussion

Mikeyorks

cod3 wrote: »

From HMRC website...


Does this mean if we hoard stamps today, they will no longer be valid if the Queen abdicates or passes on?

In what way are HMRC the arbiters of whether postage stamps are valid for posting or not? Nothing to do with them. Your quote is entirely out of context and relates to the potential of VAT on postage stamps and philatelic supplies.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000855&propertyType=document#P34_1806

thenudeone

Sainsburys offer free delivery for orders over £100 for Tuesday-Thursday delivery slots and this value can include stamps.

50Twuncle

How long do stamps stay valid for ?
If I dug out some UNUSED pre-decimal £1 stamps and stuck them on a package - would they "pass muster" ?

jrawle

The advice that Martin quotes from Royal Mail is much the same as it says on their website:

Stamps without a specified monetary value are described as Non Value Indicator (NVI) and are typically first and second class stamps. These do not have an expiry date, therefore can be used regardless of the length of time you’ve had them.

"Stamps with a monetary value also do not have an expiry date and can be combined to make up the value of postage required. This has always been the case with stamps and we have no plans to make any changes to this."

What I find suspicious is that they always say that stamps with a value can be combined to make up the value of postage. They never say that you can do this with stamps that say 1st or 2nd, although I believe this is the case. For example, a 1st stamp will be worth 60p towards the cost of posting a packet or international item. Now, the Royal Mail's text doesn't say you can't do this, is just avoids saying you can in a cagey sort of way (I reckon the reason they say this explicitly for stamps with a value is that a 46p would be useless following the price increase if you couldn't do this).

Could Martin or someone confirm that you can definitely use NVI stamps towards large/heavy or international postage?

custardy

jrawle wrote: »

The advice that Martin quotes from Royal Mail is much the same as it says on their website:

What I find suspicious is that they always say that stamps with a value can be combined to make up the value of postage. They never say that you can do this with stamps that say 1st or 2nd, although I believe this is the case. For example, a 1st stamp will be worth 60p towards the cost of posting a packet or international item. Now, the Royal Mail's text doesn't say you can't do this, is just avoids saying you can in a cagey sort of way (I reckon the reason they say this explicitly for stamps with a value is that a 46p would be useless following the price increase if you couldn't do this).

Could Martin or someone confirm that you can definitely use NVI stamps towards large/heavy or international postage?

1st/2nd are worth the current value of a 1st/2nd class stamp

however to nit pic the title of the blog
given RMs impending privitisation. I think a caveat on people buying stamps and assuming they will be valid for years should be added.

jrawle

custardy wrote: »

1st/2nd are worth the current value of a 1st/2nd class stamp

however to nit pic the title of the blog
given RMs impending privitisation. I think a caveat on people buying stamps and assuming they will be valid for years should be added.

I know how much 1st and 2nd class stamps are worth. What I was wondering is why Royal Mail never advertise the fact that you can use their value in this way. Their explanations only ever say they can be used to post a standard, 1st or 2nd class letter.

The "impending privatisation" is for a private company to start running the postal service, not for Royal Mail to be scrapped and private companies to do what they want. Royal Mail would still be heavily regulated with changes approved by the government. The new owners wouldn't be able to scrap the current stamps any more than "private" rail firms can decide what routes to operate or what new trains to buy.

custardy

jrawle wrote: »

I know how much 1st and 2nd class stamps are worth. What I was wondering is why Royal Mail never advertise the fact that you can use their value in this way. Their explanations only ever say they can be used to post a standard, 1st or 2nd class letter.

The "impending privatisation" is for a private company to start running the postal service, not for Royal Mail to be scrapped and private companies to do what they want. Royal Mail would still be heavily regulated with changes approved by the government. The new owners wouldn't be able to scrap the current stamps any more than "private" rail firms can decide what routes to operate or what new trains to buy.

as I said,they are worth whatever their current value
so if a 1st class stamp costs 60p,then its worth 60p towards postage
so thats the cost to send a basic letter or towards a more expensive item/service

as for your views on RMs future.so you see a private company just taking it oer as it stands? how exacty does that change anything?
Post Office counters has been seperated
the cap has been removed from stamp prices,along with breaking the 1st class stamp cost and compensation levels.
why would a private company want RM as it stands?
the network will be broken up(just like your train analogy,ven though it doesnt really compare)
so would you bank £10K of your money on stamps being valid in X years time?

redbicycle

If Royal Mail were privatised, then what would likely happen is independent private operators would cherry-pick the more profitable parts of the business, say a cheaper postal service for major urban areas only - undercutting the universal nationwide 1st/2nd class services. This would leave the universal service completely unviable and Royal Mail would collapse.

Privatising but retaining a monopoly position for letters would surely break competition law.

50Twuncle

redbicycle wrote: »

If Royal Mail were privatised, then what would likely happen is independent private operators would cherry-pick the more profitable parts of the business, say a cheaper postal service for major urban areas only - undercutting the universal nationwide 1st/2nd class services. This would leave the universal service completely unviable and Royal Mail would collapse.

Privatising but retaining a monopoly position for letters would surely break competition law.

The Government would NEVER allow RM to be broken up
Can you imagine the carnage that would ensue if they did ?

custardy

21Twinkle wrote: »

The Government would NEVER allow RM to be broken up
Can you imagine the carnage that would ensue if they did ?

you think?
the Post Office has already been segregated in preperation
the pension deficit is gone
so where will the private company make money?
will the Post Office be charging ACME RM to take their mail?
how will all the companies presently isuing RM via DSA get their slice?
is it simply remove RM,insert TNT et al and its all good?