Royal Mail and "invalid" stamp

sheramber

elsien said:

I think it’s probably nothing to do with the size of jthe card, and as someone else has already said, who were training from someone in the sorting office. I think there was another thread on here awhile ago with someone else who had the same problem I can’t remember how it was resolved.

I think they complained to Royal Mail and  got a refund.

Manxman_in_exile

MikeJXE said:

Just google the card size and came across this 

Q. How large can an envelope be and still be eligible for First-Class Mail letter rates? A. The maximum size is 11-1/2 inches x 6-1/8 inches x 1/4 inch thick.

So if that is correct your card was larger than the maximum for standard first class

No.  The OP said 12cm x 12cm and minimal thickness.  That's a really small envelope.

eskbanker

Manxman_in_exile said:

MikeJXE said:

Just google the card size and came across this 

Q. How large can an envelope be and still be eligible for First-Class Mail letter rates? A. The maximum size is 11-1/2 inches x 6-1/8 inches x 1/4 inch thick.

So if that is correct your card was larger than the maximum for standard first class

No.  The OP said 12cm x 12cm and minimal thickness.  That's a really small envelope.

I think I saw somewhere that that poster is of advancing years and is possibly confused by the use of that new-fangled metric system....

soolin

There have been a lot of issues with using old stamps, the various RM forums are full of people complaining. An old style stamp can still be used but it seems many RM sorting offices don’t know that and are surcharging.

OP you need to make a formal complaint to Royal Mail it is them that surcharged you, it is possible to make a complaint online if you are able to upload a photo or scan of your envelope and the receipt or card showing overpayment. 

I mistakenly missed a handful of old style stamps when I sent mine it for swapping and intended to just use them myself. However I have seen so many issues raised about these being surcharged that I will instead send them in for swapping, even though I have less than £10 worth. 

Yorkie1

eskbanker said: 

I think I saw somewhere that that poster is of advancing years and is possibly confused by the use of that new-fangled metric system....

  My Mum is of advanced years ... not me!! 

Yorkie1

soolin said:

There have been a lot of issues with using old stamps, the various RM forums are full of people complaining. An old style stamp can still be used but it seems many RM sorting offices don’t know that and are surcharging.

OP you need to make a formal complaint to Royal Mail it is them that surcharged you, it is possible to make a complaint online if you are able to upload a photo or scan of your envelope and the receipt or card showing overpayment. 

I mistakenly missed a handful of old style stamps when I sent mine it for swapping and intended to just use them myself. However I have seen so many issues raised about these being surcharged that I will instead send them in for swapping, even though I have less than £10 worth. 

Many thanks to you and to everyone who has taken the time to post. 

Complaint, here I come! 

NBLondon

eskbanker said:

Manxman_in_exile said:

MikeJXE said:

Just google the card size and came across this 

Q. How large can an envelope be and still be eligible for First-Class Mail letter rates? A. The maximum size is 11-1/2 inches x 6-1/8 inches x 1/4 inch thick.

So if that is correct your card was larger than the maximum for standard first class

No.  The OP said 12cm x 12cm and minimal thickness.  That's a really small envelope.

I think I saw somewhere that that poster is of advancing years and is possibly confused by the use of that new-fangled metric system....

Yorkie1 said:

  My Mum is of advanced years ... not me!! 

No - It's MikeJXE who is - ahem - of advanced years.  (We're all advancing - one day at a time )

Given this is a small greetings card, it may have been tipped out by the automatic sorting equipment and then hand checked by an individual who wasn't up to speed with the rules.

Good luck with the challenge Yorkie!

hairydog

Everyone is missing the point here. The problem is not "insufficient postage" but "invalid stamp".

I've had a letter returned because it had a non-barcoded stamp on it, with the same reason stated. 

My understanding is that we can use old stamps until the summer. What's going on?

NBLondon

hairydog said:

Everyone is missing the point here. The problem is not "insufficient postage" but "invalid stamp".

I've had a letter returned because it had a non-barcoded stamp on it, with the same reason stated. 

My understanding is that we can use old stamps until the summer. What's going on?

If the stamp is invalid - it is treated as "no postage".

If you read the thread carefully - there are multiple posters suggesting that this is an error by the sorting/handling staff as non-barcoded Machin head stamps should not be surcharged until 31st July.   So they advice given to Yorkie1 about raising a complaint is the same advice for you to follow.

Please let us know what response you get as it may be helpful to others who follow...

Yorkie1

Indeed - complaint has been raised, will update as and when I get a reply