Royal Mail barcoding stamps - existing stamps valid only until 31 Jan 2023

Zanderman

srhysh said:

Unbelievable that prices are going up again - and quite big jumps - considering they are being phased out and won't be accepted next year.

Surely just wait until barcoded stamps takeover in 2023.

Barcoded stamps have already taken over - we cannot buy definitives in books that aren't barcoded now.  haven't tried buying individual stamps recently though.  Can't see how the price rise is a issue - they will still be 1st or 2nd Class stamps.  Buy 'em now (make sure they are bar-coded) whilst they're the old price - it's an opportunity not a problem.

soolin

Zanderman said:

srhysh said:

Unbelievable that prices are going up again - and quite big jumps - considering they are being phased out and won't be accepted next year.

Surely just wait until barcoded stamps takeover in 2023.

Barcoded stamps have already taken over - we cannot buy definitives in books that aren't barcoded now.  haven't tried buying individual stamps recently though.  Can't see how the price rise is a issue - they will still be 1st or 2nd Class stamps.  Buy 'em now (make sure they are bar-coded) whilst they're the old price - it's an opportunity not a problem.

I concur, Even though I am holding a lot of stock I am still considering buying pre price increase bar coded 2nd class LL stamps to use going forward after January next year. (Or at least to use once my existing stock of non barcoded ones has been exhausted) .

cx6

@soolin How are you progressing with large letters?!

soolin

cx6 said:

@soolin How are you progressing with large letters?!

I was doing quite well - but then decided to put my shop on time away mode and travel overseas, so haven’t used any for a week or so. I reckon I stand a fair chance of using up my denominations by January now that I don’t have to worry about Christmas stamps and commemoratives . 

When I get back I’ll re concentrate on listing large letter size items to start shifting stamps again. 

NossenBer

I have several books of 1st class London 2012 Olympic stamps.  These are definitive size but are arguably commemoratives, so will they need to be swapped?
I also have 1st class 2012 diamond jubilee stamps but these seem more likely to be classed as normal definitive so need to be swapped?
It is disappointing to put it mildly that Royal Mail is not being clearer about this.

KxMx

Zanderman said:

srhysh said:

Unbelievable that prices are going up again - and quite big jumps - considering they are being phased out and won't be accepted next year.

Surely just wait until barcoded stamps takeover in 2023.

Barcoded stamps have already taken over - we cannot buy definitives in books that aren't barcoded now.  haven't tried buying individual stamps recently though.  Can't see how the price rise is a issue - they will still be 1st or 2nd Class stamps.  Buy 'em now (make sure they are bar-coded) whilst they're the old price - it's an opportunity not a problem.

I bought individual stamps a few weeks ago, they weren't barcoded. 

NBLondon

NossenBer said:

I have several books of 1st class London 2012 Olympic stamps.  These are definitive size but are arguably commemoratives, so will they need to be swapped?
I also have 1st class 2012 diamond jubilee stamps but these seem more likely to be classed as normal definitive so need to be swapped?
It is disappointing to put it mildly that Royal Mail is not being clearer about this.

I'm seeing quite a bit of debate on stamp collecting forums on what exactly is a commemorative and what isn't...  The Olympic/Paralympic is a good example.    The logo ones were described as definitives when they were issued so they perhaps will be invalidated but the Gold Medal winners are clearly commemoratives.

The Diamond Jubilee 1st NVI in blue will be invalidated; but if you have the Diamond Jubilee minisheet - five of these are commemoratives and shouldn't be.


Maybe the Swap Out information packs due in a few weeks will have an official list of what will and won't be affected.

Pierre_De_Grenoble

NBLondon said:

The Diamond Jubilee 1st NVI in blue will be invalidated; but if you have the Diamond Jubilee minisheet - five of these are commemoratives and shouldn't be.


Maybe the Swap Out information packs due in a few weeks will have an official list of what will and won't be affected.

To my mind the only "Machin" definitive is the example on the far right of the mini sheet. the rest are commemoratives covering 1st class.
I have the same sheet in my postage stash, the machin will be used asap, the other 5 values when I've got rid of all my machins.

IMHO Collectors will keep the sheet as a collectable item. postage users will break it apart and use as and when.

Spoonie_Turtle

Huh, they've completely changed the colours too.

I'm looking to stock up before the price change and on a whim wondered if I liked any of the picture ones (I don't need 1st class to be strictly plain); these ones say they are collectible.  I was going to check the RM website about swapping but it's currently unavailable; does anyone here understand the info so far well enough to say whether these would need to be swapped or not please?  https://shop.royalmail.com/postage-and-packaging/first-and-second-class-stamps/wild-coasts-half-sheet-1st-class-x-25-northern-gannet

Money_Grabber13579

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Huh, they've completely changed the colours too.

I'm looking to stock up before the price change and on a whim wondered if I liked any of the picture ones (I don't need 1st class to be strictly plain); these ones say they are collectible.  I was going to check the RM website about swapping but it's currently unavailable; does anyone here understand the info so far well enough to say whether these would need to be swapped or not please?  https://shop.royalmail.com/postage-and-packaging/first-and-second-class-stamps/wild-coasts-half-sheet-1st-class-x-25-northern-gannet

Based on the current policy, those will continue to be valid. At present, bar codes aren’t being added to the type of stamps in your link and so will remain valid even after 31 January 23 (but that could change in the future).