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

NBLondon

HonestJohn said:

I see that they last updated the t&cs on July 14th. Maybe too many people were making too many requests that went 1p over a whole number of 2nd class stamps.

You mean they noticed that people with a lot to swap were splitting into batches to take advantage of that?  Could be...

Money_Grabber13579

NBLondon said:

HonestJohn said:

I see that they last updated the t&cs on July 14th. Maybe too many people were making too many requests that went 1p over a whole number of 2nd class stamps.

You mean they noticed that people with a lot to swap were splitting into batches to take advantage of that?  Could be...

I suspect it’s even worse than that as they have included a term where they can reject a swap if the scheme is being obviously abused (suggesting that in some cases, it has been obviously abused). If people are sending in 0.5p stamps, one at a time, just to get a 2nd class stamp back, they’ve too much time on their hands.

Money_Grabber13579

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.

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!