Advice re Royal Mail stamp swapout

Codger1947

StartledJesus said:

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

No harm in taking it further - your MP, newspapers, social media etc.

Jonty6262

I applied online for a form to be sent to me three weeks ago, it never came. 

Codger1947

Jonty6262 said:

I applied online for a form to be sent to me three weeks ago, it never came. 

I received mine in a day or two.

General_Grant

Jonty6262 said:

I applied online for a form to be sent to me three weeks ago, it never came. 

Codger1947 said:

Jonty6262 said:

I applied online for a form to be sent to me three weeks ago, it never came. 

I received mine in a day or two.

I applied for the >£200 form online at about the same time as @Jonty6262and also have not received the form yet.

StartledJesus

STILL no stamps, despite waiting for the advised 10 working days, which I thought would be a safe, at the latest, back-covering estimate anyway.

Just followed up by phone. They have my details on the system, and pulled them up when I quoted my post code and their reference number. However they could not explain WHEN they had been issued, or indeed IF or WHY they had not been issued if that was the case. Of course, they had been inundated, and there was a backlog. So, excellent forward planning and/or proactive response from Royal Mail.

Their best advice was to ring back on Wednesday. Pathetic.  

teanomilk

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

It's probably best to be honest and return these to Tallents House. Or if that doesn't appeal i would find lots of pensioners and share them out. 

StartledJesus

StartledJesus said:

Their best advice was to ring back on Wednesday. Pathetic.  

Followed up for a third time on Thursday, as still no stamps. Agent was majorly apologetic, but proceeded to 'blame' the new system, teething problems, a lot of delays and circumstances beyond their control...In the circumstances they would despatch another set, but could not send them signed for. So, another wait, as may take another 10 working days, with another bank holiday in the middle as previous. *facepalm*

I now have no qualms about broadcasting the Swap Out contact number to all and sundry. It is 0345 266 0804. 

Codger1947

From the comments in this thread, it seems pretty clear that the Royal Mail's swap out scheme is so dysfunctional that it is best avoided if at all possible.  I have already managed to sell several old stamps to an acquaintance so hopefully I should manage to get rid of all my surplus this way.

StartledJesus

There is a much longer thread on this subject on the ‘EBay’ board

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6331387/royal-mail-barcoding-stamps-existing-stamps-valid-only-until-31-jan-2023/p38

petersy

Codger1947 said:

From the comments in this thread, it seems pretty clear that the Royal Mail's swap out scheme is so dysfunctional that it is best avoided if at all possible.  I have already managed to sell several old stamps to an acquaintance so hopefully I should manage to get rid of all my surplus this way.

Yes, Royal Mail are having problems implementing the swap out.

We sent 360 stamps by Special Delivery and only received 360 stamps back, whereas we should have received an additional amount of stamps to cover the Special Delivery cost.

After contacting Royal Mail on 03452 660 804 they said the stamps were in the post - we are still waiting.