Advice re Royal Mail stamp swapout

StartledJesus

*facepalm* You couldn't make it up. 

lindos90

I've just been wondering the same thing, what 'proof' do we have when posting them? I'm thinking of doing it in batches of around £20 worth freepost, but asking the PO for proof of postage (which covers for lost post up to £20) to be on the safe side. Even so, I wouldnt have any proof that I had enclosed the stamps. Having said that, I guess the same thing could be said for any claim. 

Quite ironic that the process for  swapping the stamps is potentially open to fraud, seeing as one of the reasons for introducing barcodes is to reduce fraud! The potential for enveloped being intercepted is high too, and bound to happen (like a previous poster says, the generic freepost address leaves it in no doubt that there's potentially quite a lot of stamps/worth in these envelopes) 

StartledJesus

See this MSE page for a very useful summary of the Swap Out scheme

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/03/stamps--swap-out--scheme-opens-today---here-s-everything-you-nee/

An additional thing that I discovered there is that if you collect a claim form from your local delivery office, or request one by telephone from RM Customer Services on 03457 740 740, they should GIVE you a Freepost envelope. I haven’t seen one, but ideally it should at least look a bit more professional, and save you using one of your own.

Just to confirm that if you use the > £200 service, you should send them to the postal address in Edinburgh, and use a signed for POD service. The cost of the latter can be reclaimed, and reimbursed in the form of additional stamps.

It seems that the < £200 Freepost scheme is being handled by the Stamps and Commemorative Services department in Sunderland, and it can be contacted on 0345 266 0804. 

**Update I have now collected a Freepost envelope from my local delivery office. It is much better and more professional looking, with a proper address and 1 (for 1st) on it. Rather than your own envelope with a hand-written one line address scrawled on it.

The claim forms were also available there, to save you printing, or if you do not have access to a printer. 

Codger1947

So the only way to be certain that the swap will go correctly is to trade in more than £200-worth, implying that those with insufficient stamps should obtain more old stamps in order to quailfy!  

martindow

StartledJesus said:
Just to confirm that if you use the > £200 service, you should send them to the postal address in Edinburgh, and use a signed for POD service. The cost of the latter can be reclaimed, and reimbursed in the form of additional stamps.

They recommend using special delivery not signed for.  You will be sent additional stamps to cover the extra cost.

belt_and_braces

So I proceeded cautiously, but maybe I didn't read the rules carefully enough.
Here's my experience. Lol. I've now decided the best course of action is to resurrect the art of letter writing and use up my stamp stash rather than risk swapping any more!!

https://twitter.com/KershawKids/status/1514361519886290953

belt_and_braces

Sillychuckie said:

Well, I took the risk (*) and posted about £50 worth of stamps to the freepost address.

I received my swaps this morning, 4 times.
i.e. The same letter (containing £50 worth of stamps), 4 times.

I now have £200 worth of stamps.
What on earths name do with all these? I was highly doubtful that I'd ever have got around to spending the £50... 

The fact an admin error like this can occur, doesn't fill one with confidence. Fortunately, I've come out on the right side of their admin error. Pretty shocking though.

Anyone else experience the same?

(*) fortune favours  the brave

Well done you!!! I think £4.80 of that may be mine, lol. 

https://twitter.com/KershawKids/status/151436151988629095

I think I must have misread the rules.. Any advice?
I've decided I'm going to take up letter writing and use the rest up, rather than risk returning them!!

StartledJesus

@belt_and_braces Snap! See my post on page 2. I also received 0 stamps to the value of £0.00.

Mine were self adhesive, all on one sheet, but that sheet was loose. Yours look like they were actually stuck to the reverse of the claim form, so I'm not sure how they could have gone astray. Moreover, if they did not 'qualify' for some reason, surely they should have explicitly told you why, and returned them to you. Or perhaps the system cannot cope with an individually tailored response, and just issues a standard one.

I rang the number on the accompanying 'here is nothing' letter (0345 266 0804), and they said they would send me the stamp value I claimed, although they haven't arrived yet. 

belt_and_braces

StartledJesus said:

@belt_and_braces Snap! See my post on page 2. I also received 0 stamps to the value of £0.00.

Mine were self adhesive, all on one sheet, but that sheet was loose. Yours look like they were actually stuck to the reverse of the claim form, so I'm not sure how they could have gone astray. Moreover, if they did not 'qualify' for some reason, surely they should have explicitly told you why, and returned them to you. Or perhaps the system cannot cope with an individually tailored response, and just issues a standard one.

I rang the number on the accompanying 'here is nothing' letter (0345 266 0804), and they said they would send me the stamp value I claimed, although they haven't arrived yet. 

Thanks. I missed your post in my haste to have a rant! Scoundrels! Yes, mine were glued firmly down! I'll give the number a call now that I've calmed down.

StartledJesus

Update. Replacement stamps STILL not received, despite being promised twice, and even given reference numbers.