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

Doc_N

Money_Grabber13579 said:

The postal workers don’t seem to be too confident in the ability of the barcodes to prevent reuse. Just received a parcel with barcoded stamps on today which have been scribbled over with a biro.

I doubt the scanners can cope with parcels. No big deal if the other equipment can eliminate the vast majority of fraudulent activity.

custardy

Money_Grabber13579 said:

The postal workers don’t seem to be too confident in the ability of the barcodes to prevent reuse. Just received a parcel with barcoded stamps on today which have been scribbled over with a biro.

Likely habit.

custardy

Doc_N said:

Money_Grabber13579 said:

The postal workers don’t seem to be too confident in the ability of the barcodes to prevent reuse. Just received a parcel with barcoded stamps on today which have been scribbled over with a biro.

I doubt the scanners can cope with parcels. No big deal if the other equipment can eliminate the vast majority of fraudulent activity.

RM are driving on installation of parcel sort machines (PSM)
These segregate surcharge items to a rev pro stream. There will be an increase in surcharge parcels as previously these were hand sorted. MC staff have little knowledge of postage methods/costs excluding revenue protection staff.
They are also brining in machines to eliminate the need for manual sorting of traditionally non mechable letters. Same again 

NBLondon

soolin said:

I had loads of small denomination stamps, like 2p 5p 10p 20p et and they were all swapped like for like. So for instance at the moment for a LL 2nd class up to 100g I am using a definitive 1st class (95p) and a new barcoded 10p to make up the correct value. 

I saw this on another forum and I thought of you:  https://stampulator.sroot.eu/

Nossen66

Cannot get a clear answer from RM whether the London Olympic 2012 definitive stamps need to be swapped.  These are definitive size but do not have just the queen’s head, so in my view are definitive size commemoratives.  Anyone know?

Money_Grabber13579

Nossen66 said:

Cannot get a clear answer from RM whether the London Olympic 2012 definitive stamps need to be swapped.  These are definitive size but do not have just the queen’s head, so in my view are definitive size commemoratives.  Anyone know?

I would say no as they don’t appear in this list (they aren’t Machin definitives and they also aren’t country definitives)

What stamps can I send in to be swapped for barcoded stamps ?

The following stamps are eligible for swap out – as they will no longer be valid as postage after 31 January 2023.

All standard decimal Machin definitive stamps since 1971, this covers:

• NVIs 1st Class, 2nd Class. 1st Class Large Letter; 2nd Class Large Letter
• all make up value stamps (e.g. 1p, 2p, 10p, £1, etc.) 
• International Tariff stamps

All Country definitive stamps this includes Regional / Country Machins (1971- 1999) and the replacement Country Emblems (1999 to present) 

Christmas Stamps: Although we are adding barcodes to Christmas stamps, non-barcoded Christmas stamps will remain valid as postage after 31 January 2023 so Christmas stamps should not be sent in for swap out.

Money_Grabber13579

JamesRobinson48 said:

Nossen66 said:

Cannot get a clear answer from RM whether the London Olympic 2012 definitive stamps need to be swapped.  These are definitive size but do not have just the queen’s head, so in my view are definitive size commemoratives.  Anyone know?

Take a look at the Swap Out form for amounts exceeding £200 (see link below), which states:

Eligible stamps are the regular 1st and 2nd Class ‘everyday’ stamps featuring the profile of HM The Queen and those that show any other value which are post decimalisation (1971 onwards) including Olympic, International and Country Definitives. 

https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2022-07/Stamp_swap_out_form_over_200_pounds_v1.6.pdf

So yes, the London Olympic 2012 definitive stamps need to be swapped.

Bit of a conflict with RM’s own FAQ’s there!

HonestJohn

If in doubt send them in.

br1anst0rm

Can't understand why Royal Mail is not enabling a simple over-the-counter exchange of "old" non-bar-coded stamps for replacement new ones at local Post Offices.  Quicker and more secure than sending them off with the Swap-out Form to a Freepost address.  Not only can you not get proof-of-postage or confirmation-of-delivery when sending the form and stamps.  An envelope with the  Freepost Swap Out address is so obviously identifiable as containing stamps for exchange that it is very tempting to sticky-fingered thieves in sorting offices.

MSE_James

Because the Royal Mail is a different entity to the Post Office, and no doubt RM would rather not pay commission to the PO for handling exchange of stamps.