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

jon81uk

Brie said:

@cx6

This is what the website says.  I would have thought one might be able to swap small quantities at the post office even though it doesn't say that.

Transition to Barcoded Stamps

Non-barcoded stamps will be phased out but will remain usable until 31 January 2023. Customers are encouraged to use their non-barcoded stamps before this date. Alternatively, non-barcoded stamps can be exchanged for the new barcoded version through Royal Mail’s ‘Swap Out’ scheme. 

The ‘Swap Out’ scheme will open on 31 March 2022. Forms will be available via a variety of channels, including local Customer Service Points; the Royal Mail website and via our Customer Experience team. Customers will be able to use a Freepost address. Further details will be announced shortly.

I would not expect Post Office to manage swaps, they are a seperate company to Royal Mail.

As in your quote, you would need to go to the Royal Mail Customer Service Point at the sorting office to swap them.

molerat

From the FAQ

Can I take my stamps to the Post Office to swap them out?

 
No — you can't swap your non-barcoded stamps out at a Post Office. You will need to pick up a 'Swap Out' form and send in your non-barcoded stamps to Royal Mail (freepost address on the form).

molerat

jon81uk said:

Brie said:

@cx6

This is what the website says.  I would have thought one might be able to swap small quantities at the post office even though it doesn't say that.

Transition to Barcoded Stamps

Non-barcoded stamps will be phased out but will remain usable until 31 January 2023. Customers are encouraged to use their non-barcoded stamps before this date. Alternatively, non-barcoded stamps can be exchanged for the new barcoded version through Royal Mail’s ‘Swap Out’ scheme. 

The ‘Swap Out’ scheme will open on 31 March 2022. Forms will be available via a variety of channels, including local Customer Service Points; the Royal Mail website and via our Customer Experience team. Customers will be able to use a Freepost address. Further details will be announced shortly.

I would not expect Post Office to manage swaps, they are a seperate company to Royal Mail.

As in your quote, you would need to go to the Royal Mail Customer Service Point at the sorting office to swap them.

RM CSP will only supply the form, not swap the stamps.

jon81uk

molerat said:

jon81uk said:

Brie said:

@cx6

This is what the website says.  I would have thought one might be able to swap small quantities at the post office even though it doesn't say that.

Transition to Barcoded Stamps

Non-barcoded stamps will be phased out but will remain usable until 31 January 2023. Customers are encouraged to use their non-barcoded stamps before this date. Alternatively, non-barcoded stamps can be exchanged for the new barcoded version through Royal Mail’s ‘Swap Out’ scheme. 

The ‘Swap Out’ scheme will open on 31 March 2022. Forms will be available via a variety of channels, including local Customer Service Points; the Royal Mail website and via our Customer Experience team. Customers will be able to use a Freepost address. Further details will be announced shortly.

I would not expect Post Office to manage swaps, they are a seperate company to Royal Mail.

As in your quote, you would need to go to the Royal Mail Customer Service Point at the sorting office to swap them.

RM CSP will only supply the form, not swap the stamps.

Yeah realised I mis-read it now.

emmbrook

From various stamp blogs etc it seems that Royal Mail has confirmed that this applies to definitives and Christmas stamps only and that all decimal commemoratives will remain valid for use. Which is good as I have lots.. My collection however of Royal Mail booklets will I fear be of much less value from the end of the year as they could always be used. I won’t be buying any more this year. 

I buy at auction a fair bit though primarily through one aimed at dealers - I usually reckon on paying about 65% of face value after fees but it’s generally large lots so you can’t just pick up a few quids worth. 

I have plenty of old definitives (many with 1/2p values) that I may need to swap. I did have a number of whole sheets but sold them on quite recently by chance.

To note that 1/2p values are valid if used in pairs - so two 2 1/2p stamps are 5p, but a 2 1/2p and a 2p would be 4p. 

Ms_Chocaholic

When people talk about definitive stamps what exactly are these?

jrawle

Ms_Chocaholic said:

When people talk about definitive stamps what exactly are these?

It means the ordinary ones that just have the Queen's head, rather than a special limited edition design for collectors.

cx6

Definitive stamps are effectively the 'normal' stamps you can buy all year round.

The other type are 'commemorative' stamps - special stamps issued for a short period. Christmas stamps are a good example. I am sure Google or Wiki will provide a complete list.

Edit: they do!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_Kingdom_commemorative_stamps

NBLondon

cx6 said:

Definitive stamps are effectively the 'normal' stamps you can buy all year round.

The other type are 'commemorative' stamps - special stamps issued for a short period. Christmas stamps are a good example. I am sure Google or Wiki will provide a complete list.

Edit: they do!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_Kingdom_commemorative_stamps

There's a philatelist's argument about whether Christmas are a commemorative or a limited time definitive.  This year's Christmas stamps did have barcodes so any old stocks of previous years will also need to be swapped.

I learned today from stamp collector acquaintances that the definitive values 1p,2p,5p,10p,20p,50p,£1,£2,£3,£5 will be barcoded from 4th April.  So presumably if you have stocks of any of these for parcels then you'll be able to swap them as well.

No mention of £1.70 (Europe) or £2.55 (Rest of World) which people might have in hand for overseas correspondence.   Or whether the country definitive for Scotland, Wales, NI are going to get barcoded versions or will just be quietly dropped.

NBLondon

molerat said:

cx6 said:

Do you know if you have to post the stamps away for a swap-out, or just take them to your local PO to be swapped.

Post them so likely taking a risk with anything other than SD

cx6 said:

Right - like I'm going to take the chance of posting hundreds of pounds of stamps away to RM for 'swapping'

I agree - even though I might only have a tenner's worth by then..  Let's see if custardy can get hold of the pack and tell us what's happening.  I'd hope there's a possibility of dropping off your package of swaps at the Delivery Office and getting a tracking receipt.