Royal Mail freepost swapout

Grahmb65

I received a leaflet suggesting I could use it to send my stamps for exchange to the new barcoded type.

The leaflet says, “SEND SAFELY TO FREEPOST SWAPOUT”

I posted my 24 stamps using this form and two weeks later I have NOT received my barcoded stamps.

It has now become apparent, after reading reviews, that this is definitely “NOT A SAFE METHOD” to post stamps. The address clearly indicates what the contents are and will be highly desirable to thieves.

I posted my envelope at my local post office and so it was in the Royal Mail’s system when it was probably stolen and there is absolutely nothing, I can do about it as it says in the small print on page six of the terms & conditions, “Royal Mail is not responsible for any letters lost in the post” I presume Lost also means stolen.

Westin

In my experience that time frame (14 days or longer) is not unusual.  I think current Postal strikes may be having a bearing. Please don’t make the early assumption that it was ‘probably stolen’.

I have done four  ‘swap-outs’ so far. I wanted to keep each at just under £20 per batch.  I think one was around 10 days.  The other two at around two/three weeks.  The 4th is currently just over two weeks and nothing back as yet.

You could have sent and obtained a certificate of posting from the Post Office. This is free and would give you compensation up to £20 if lost.

Grahmb65

Thank you, Westin. Your message gives me a little bit of hope that I might just receive my stamps yet. So, I will wait another couple of weeks before complaining. If I had known that I could get a certificate of posting free, I would definitely have done that. It would have been helpful if that was stated that on the leaflet I received.
Also, I think it shouldn't be allowed for Royal Mail to put into their terms and conditions that they will not be responsible if my envelope is lost, stolen or damaged while in their hands.

martindow

There's a long thread on this on the Ebay board

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

There seem to be long delays and a lot of people are waiting for several weeks.

Grahmb65

Good news, I received my stamps today, just under three weeks since I sent them off. I am really glad I looked at this forum before I sent in my complaint. I'll admit that I really thought I wouldn't receive them after hearing of others raising concerns about how safe the posting method was.
So, thank you all, from a very happy Graham.

NBLondon

If anyone is about to do this...

1) Scan or photograph the form as extra evidence in case it does go astray
2) Use the full address:

Freepost RUCZ-UTGU-AULY

Royal Mail  Swap Out
Tallents House
21 South Gyle Crescent
EDINBURGH   EH12 9GT

3) As Westin says - send it from a Post Office and get a Certificate of Posting.

NBLondon

Grahmb65 said:

 as it says in the small print on page six of the terms & conditions, “Royal Mail is not responsible for any letters lost in the post” I presume Lost also means stolen.

Here are the latest terms and conditions:
https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2022-09/Stamp_Swap_Out_Terms_and_Conditions_last_updated_29_September_2022.pdf

I can't see that sentence...

elsien

I’m probably going to send mine special delivery. I’m not organised enough to have sent them off earlier in the year and I’ve got a load to send and can’t be doing with the faffing around.
Just need to check with my post office worth of all let me pay the special delivery in stamps are not.

NBLondon

elsien said:

Just need to check with my post office worth of all let me pay the special delivery in stamps are not.

They should do - but it may depend on the mood (competence) of the person behind the counter.

If you work out the correct amount (£6.85 for 100g) and make it almost up with your excess red Large 1sts (4 of them) then pay the missing 40p in cash - that means they can put it through the system when they generate the Horizon label for the 40p.

You should then get an extra 11x 2nd class with your returns to cover that cost.

lindylootoo

I'm on the phone to the swapout support as I type, due to their letter saying I'd forgotten to enclose my stamps...........which I most certainly didn't! ...........BUT - the address on the envelope is proof of what is enclosed and therefore makes it subject to theft - including my £28 worth of first & second stamps!! 

martindow

lindylootoo said:

I'm on the phone to the swapout support as I type, due to their letter saying I'd forgotten to enclose my stamps...........which I most certainly didn't! ...........BUT - the address on the envelope is proof of what is enclosed and therefore makes it subject to theft - including my £28 worth of first & second stamps!! 

Or the envelope has been damaged en route or the stamps fell out onto the floor in the office after they were received or you did indeed forget to put the stamps in.  I don't think that theft is the most likely explanation. 

Get in touch - they seem to be accepting a person's word for what was sent.  If you took a photo of the contents all the better.