Part payment with old stamps at Post Office

hoc

Is it possible to use old stamps as part payment? I have found 2 old style First Class stamps that will expire in July. Will the Post Office allow me to use these and pay the difference on a small parcel?

topcat105

Yes if they know that the old stamps are still valid (some don't !)

molerat

There is no 100% answer to that.  Two different organisations are involved.  Post Office state that non barcoded stamps are not valid but Royal Mail will not impose a surcharge on non barcoded items until after July. So popping into a post box is fine but trying to post at a post office likely not.

km1500

take the stamps with you and ask at the counter.

olgadapolga

molerat said:

There is no 100% answer to that.  Two different organisations are involved.  Post Office state that non barcoded stamps are not valid but Royal Mail will not impose a surcharge on non barcoded items until after July. So popping into a post box is fine but trying to post at a post office likely not.

It depends on the Post Office. I took a Special Delivery parcel to a local PO which had the whole cost in non-barcoded stamps (14 stamps in total) and they were fine about it, didn't even question it.

jeffuk

I was refused when I tried to send a parcel that had 2 x 1st class stamps as part payment, the assistant said I was mistaken in thinking it could be topped up with a PO label.
Is there anything in black n white on the Royal Mail website that I could show them?

pallyman

jeffuk said:

I was refused when I tried to send a parcel that had 2 x 1st class stamps as part payment, the assistant said I was mistaken in thinking it could be topped up with a PO label.
Is there anything in black n white on the Royal Mail website that I could show them?

Strange,i do that all the time.

olgadapolga

pallyman said:

jeffuk said:

I was refused when I tried to send a parcel that had 2 x 1st class stamps as part payment, the assistant said I was mistaken in thinking it could be topped up with a PO label.
Is there anything in black n white on the Royal Mail website that I could show them?

Strange,i do that all the time.

I've done this before as well. 

I've just tried searching Royal Mail's website but can't find anything that states stamps can be used as part payment. I think you'd need to send RM a message asking them.

km1500

I do it too. Never had any problem -  indeed the terminal they use has an on-screen selection marked 'prepayment' which the assistant uses to enter the value of any attached stamps.

jeffuk

Thanks for the replies, I may show them next time.

NBLondon

km1500 said:

I do it too. Never had any problem -  indeed the terminal they use has an on-screen selection marked 'prepayment' which the assistant uses to enter the value of any attached stamps.

That has always been the case.  The problem might be a) the PO staff are not always well-trained  or b) as molerat suggests - the PO (a separate organisation from Royal Mail) has chosen not to accept older non-barcoded stamps as payment.   If b) then barcoded stamps should be accepted.

OP - you can still swap them.  Ask the PO staff for a Swap Out Form and envelope.  If they deny knowing anything about it - you can presume that a) above applies.