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

GDB2222

HonestJohn said:

I checked my stamps because I had heard of other's experiences and did some research. I am no expert so could only go so far. I don't think it is too much to ask for my stamps back. They could cancel them somehow. How do I accuse the seller of fraud without the evidence. I could imagine the furore if the Bank of England issued coins and notes with telling you how to identify fakes. The whole sorting machine industry would be non existent.

I see your difficulty. One precaution is only to buy your stamps from reputable sources in future.

I'm pretty sure that it would be a criminal offence for you to own stamps knowing or suspecting them to be fake, if they did return them.  

HonestJohn

GDB2222 said:

HonestJohn said:

I checked my stamps because I had heard of other's experiences and did some research. I am no expert so could only go so far. I don't think it is too much to ask for my stamps back. They could cancel them somehow. How do I accuse the seller of fraud without the evidence. I could imagine the furore if the Bank of England issued coins and notes with telling you how to identify fakes. The whole sorting machine industry would be non existent.

I see your difficulty. One precaution is only to buy your stamps from reputable sources in future.

I'm pretty sure that it would be a criminal offence for you to own stamps knowing or suspecting them to be fake, if they did return them.  

Yes, I have to put it down to experience. They know I won't bother to kick up a fuss for a dozen 1st class stamps. I had a stash of stamps I used to post ebay sales. Most were around 10 years old and purchased from Post Offices and supermarkets. I used to take the advice of MSE and top up before price increases. RM did me a favour with the swapout as a lot of people liquidated their collections on ebay. I only bought pictured stock that did not need swapping. My target was half of face value or thereabouts.

km1500

'I'm pretty sure that it would be a criminal offence for you to own stamps knowing or suspecting them to be fake, if they did return them.  "

some stamp collectors specialise in collecting fakes etc so only an offence if you try and use them for postage

JAG

I assume that prepaid stamps on envelopes are still valid?



I still have a pack of 10 envelopes with 1st class postage printed on them.

GaleSF63

From RM site:-

Help and Support | Royal Mail

What happens to the pre-paid envelopes I currently have?

These are valid for postage and will remain valid on an ongoing basis.

swayzak

Hello

Bit late to the party here ...  I have small books of old Royal Mail stamps (1 with Queen's head only, the other with the band Queen).

Can I still swap these for the new stamps ?

Thanks

elsien

You can. Royal Mail put a final date on when they need to be used by but there’s no end date for swapping them over. 

soolin

swayzak said:

Hello

Bit late to the party here ...  I have small books of old Royal Mail stamps (1 with Queen's head only, the other with the band Queen).

Can I still swap these for the new stamps ?

Thanks

Yes, there is currently no finish date for the swap out scheme.

JDPower

Well I've just had my letter telling me my swap stamps were supposedly fake/used. Bought from the Co-op. So a national retailer is allegedly dealing in fraudulent stamps, according to Royal Mail   

NBLondon

swayzak said:

Hello

Bit late to the party here ...  I have small books of old Royal Mail stamps (1 with Queen's head only, the other with the band Queen).

Can I still swap these for the new stamps ?

Thanks

The ones with Queen (the Band) don't need to be swapped, they are Special Stamps which are still valid.