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

alanwhatsit

I made an erropr of judgement and returned Ist Class large stamps and 12 2nd class regular for exchange. The 1st class large were exchanged but Royal mail informed me that me 2nd class stamps were not genuine and they wouldn't exchange them nor return them to me. For security reasons that are not prepared to say how they know, only that they have high tech tests. I'm not giving up, this isn't the B. o. E.

Langerhan

Where did you get the 2nd class stamps from? Is there a possibility the Royal Mail is correct?

alanwhatsit

I doubt it. These were purchased for use by a charity ( Kicks Count ), I'm the ancient packing and postal boy. We hadn't purchsed 2nd class regular for a long time as we generally use 2nd Class Large. We always purchsed from the local Post Office until it closed, and then online from R.M. These were not purchased online. But, if they are not genuine stamps, why can't I be give an explanation as to how and why they decided to confiscate them, Why haven't the police been round to check out my " operation " here. This amounts to £8.16. It goes a bit deeper than that for me.

jon81uk

alanwhatsit said:

I doubt it. These were purchased for use by a charity ( Kicks Count ), I'm the ancient packing and postal boy. We hadn't purchsed 2nd class regular for a long time as we generally use 2nd Class Large. We always purchsed from the local Post Office until it closed, and then online from R.M. These were not purchased online. But, if they are not genuine stamps, why can't I be give an explanation as to how and why they decided to confiscate them, Why haven't the police been round to check out my " operation " here. This amounts to £8.16. It goes a bit deeper than that for me.

The police haven't been round because its £8.16.
They won't give an explanation as it can make it easier for forgers then to know how they got spotted.

ltbaker1986

emmajones1976 said:

The old stamps can be swapped for the new ones if people so wish, so no need for people to rush around like headless chickens using them up

https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps?iid=H1_BARCODEDSTAMPS

Thanks for letting me know - I'll hopefully swap them ver now I know ±

HonestJohn

alanwhatsit said:

I doubt it. These were purchased for use by a charity ( Kicks Count ), I'm the ancient packing and postal boy. We hadn't purchsed 2nd class regular for a long time as we generally use 2nd Class Large. We always purchsed from the local Post Office until it closed, and then online from R.M. These were not purchased online. But, if they are not genuine stamps, why can't I be give an explanation as to how and why they decided to confiscate them, Why haven't the police been round to check out my " operation " here. This amounts to £8.16. It goes a bit deeper than that for me.

Were they in a book? I know sheets of fakes are about but not sure of books. I once tried to buy some books on ebay but seller told me he only had sheets so I backed out. 
Here is a video I found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVtTIHy8tC4

alanwhatsit

Mine was a book of 12. That's a brilliant video, thank you very much. I'm now not quite so sure about authenticity but I haven't got the stamps to check. It's also knowing that we only ever purchased from a Post Office that I find troubling.

HonestJohn

alanwhatsit said:

Mine was a book of 12. That's a brilliant video, thank you very much. I'm now not quite so sure about authenticity but I haven't got the stamps to check. It's also knowing that we only ever purchased from a Post Office that I find troubling.

Maybe the Post Office were selling some stamps they had bought privately to make a bigger profit.

BarkingMad

I sent around £20 worth to the swap out address on 25 Aug. I called the RM CS telephone number on 13 Sep and they couldn't give me any update. A tweet to RM was answered that "the aim to swap out was 7 working days but please allow longer due to high volumes". Now the 27 Sep and still nothing.

Is everyone else seeing the same delays. With no tracking and no information on the RM website it's difficult to know when to claim for "lost in post" - or how to claim "for lost in post"

I have got proof of posting and pictures of stamps and swap out form for backup

hermante

Received another special delivery with entirely fake stamps, that had been clearly already used prior to this, so at least 2 lots of £8.95 not paid to RM.

My stamp dealer friend reports that unfranked barcoded stamps are selling for up to half of face value because RM doesn't seem to be actually scanning the barcodes. Genuinely unused barcoded stamps are selling for about 75% of face because stamp dealers have hundreds of thousands of them from all the swaps.

He has also received mail with fake barcoded stamps which was accepted and delivered as normal.