Using own stamps

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: Seller making no money.

BlueonBlue

Ive not used ebay for a number of years last time was during or just after covid…..is it still possible to use your own stamps when self posting over the post office counter….. or is that history ?

TimeLord1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82074598#Comment_82074598

Some people do use stamps they opt out of simple delivery. But the risk is anything goes wrong you're not covered. I had people last week use stamps from the 90's. I could quite easily have stated it didn't arrive. And get refunded but people still use stamps. And I left positive feedback the stamps were also from collectors sets.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options/simple-delivery?id=5575#section14

soolin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82074598#Comment_82074598

You cannot opt out of simple delivery for most things if they are eligible, you can opt out for certain large letter items. When you list if you set your own postage to LL and if the category is exempt you will get offered 2 boxes, one to opt for custom the other SD. Unless you opt out that way you are stuck with SD.

Remember to get your proof of posting in case of losses. I am finding RM less reliable generally now than it ever was. You will also need to make sure you mark item as despatched .

Lastly if using stamps for private non ebay items remember the postage is dearer if not paid for online- and factor that in.

soolin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82074647#Comment_82074647

I am trying to use up my old stock of stamps for non ebay items , I've used some really old (obviously decimal) stamps and my local PO doesn't like them, one even got a supervisor as they thought I was using foreign stamps and refused to accept them to give me my POP. I actually write on the envelope now 'RM picture stamps to cover 2nd class LL post' (or whatever)

Yoyr link to opting out of SD is useful as well, and does clarify that it only applies to certain LL or overweight items.

Opting out

The option to opt out and select Custom postage is only available for items in specific categories that are priced £20 and under. This includes items which are typically letter or large letter-sized and 100g or under. The £20 limit applies to the item price only and excludes the Buyer Protection Fee.

You may also see the Custom postage option for some items that may be prohibited or restricted for the programme.

You can see if your item is eligible for Simple Delivery, or if you have the option to choose Custom postage, when you're creating your listing.

kalsha

I have been using my own stamps for some time now - mainly to use up my old stock that I bought in 1980's and 1990's. I can only use it for large letters or letters if I opt out of simple delivery. I only use them for items under £5. Anything above £5, I don't take a chance. Also if I want to use stamps, I check out his feedback left first - if he has too many "didn't receive item" etc then I don't use the stamps.

So far I have been lucky - I have had only one letter going missing and the amount I lost was very small. I always get a POP from the post office. The post office lady is nice and she knows I use up these stamps - sometimes there are about 6-8 stamps to make up £1.55!!

soolin

I just noticed this was on a hijacked thread, so have moved it to its own thread.

BlueonBlue

Opps sorry bout that Soolin but its great you helped out and now others have added to the question .

TimeLord1

@soolin yes, I assumed when people mention stamps, they mean cards and stamps paper cuttings.

I did add the link in my reply for what they may or may not be able to use or opt out of. But going back to old stamps I would check the through Google lens first. I renewed about £40 pounds of old stamps few years ago through the post office. Unsure if that service is running possibly I'll check.

soolin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82075216#Comment_82075216

The stamp swap scheme was for bar coded stamps, picture stamps were not changed. Any picture stamp should still be perfectly useable as long as it's decimal, but as above some post offices wuth perhaps newer/younger staff have never seen them being used and may question them.

The stamp swap scheme also only changed them for newer barcoded stamps which stillleft people like me with hundreds and hundreds of pounds worth of them.

TimeLord1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82075321#Comment_82075321

They're are but you can still swap them for new barcoded supposedly trackable stamps I've not seen it work yet I think originally the barcode played a video of a sheep sheep. I never got it to work off a stamp.