Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!

[Tilly2]

I have posted all my Christmas cards using old, first class stamps. Now, all the recipients will have to pay a fee for the card to be delivered.

Honestly!

 

[naomi24]

nicebloke, I seem to remember the Post Office offering a swapping service before the old stamps became redundant.  I swapped mine in for new ones.

[bhg481]

The swapping date has passed now, so any ordinary non-barcode stamps are not only worthless they cost the recippient if you use them.

[naomi24]

I think it finished last January, bhg.

[Tilly2]

I did swap mine, Naomi but found an old book of stamps hidden away in the Christmas card box. I didn't give it a minutes thought but carelessly stuck the stamps on ready to get them posted.

[nicebloke1]

Didnt know that but thats fine if you have the time to stand about in the post office waiting. Plus some people dont get out and about like they did or even find out that the stamps have changed. It would be just good customer service to let them run out.

[naomi24]

Oh what a nuisance, Tilly.  Easily done though.

[nicebloke1]

The bar coding stamps dont seem to have improved the system anyhow, they've just be fined millions for not delivering on time.

[THECORBYLOON]

"When does the Stamp Swap Out Scheme end / when do I need to swap out my non-barcoded stamps by?
 
Regular stamps without a barcode* are no longer valid for postage. There is currently no end date as to when you need to swap out your non-barcoded stamps by." [Emphasis added]

*Eligible ‘non-barcoded’ stamps are the regular 1st and 2nd Class stamps featuring the profile of Her Late Majesty The Queen and those that show any other value. Non-barcoded Christmas stamps and Special stamps (i.e. pictorial stamps issued to commemorate anniversaries and events) continue to be valid for postage and do not need to be swapped out. Please do not try to exchange your stamps at your Post Office branch, as they will not be able to do this. You can only do this directly with Royal Mail."

https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps

[Barsel]

I bought 2 books of 2nd class stamps from Tesco last week.

They weren't Christmas stamps, and although they had a barcode on, they also had the late Queens head on.

I read yesterday that stamps now have the Kings head on.

Will my stamps be invalid?

Sorry to butt in Tilly.

 

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Corbyloon.

[Tilly2]

No problem, Barsel.

 

[Gill1941]

Your stamps are fine, barsel , so long as they have a barcode. Charles wants the Queen's head ones all used up as long as it takes to save waste.

[Vagus]

Or why not, next year, just text or email all the people you're going to this year to tell them not to bother collecting and paying for these cards, and save the cost of both cards and stamps.

And donate the money to your favourite charity instead.

[Barsel]

Thanks Gill.

[youngmafbog]

//It would be just good customer service to let them run out.//

And let the fraud continue forever?  Thats the principle reason for change. Blame the thieving scum not RM(poor as they may be).

And I'm not sure why anyone would even start to think why a stamp wold make a difference to delivery times, machines have been checking for years not your local Pat.

[Floko]

Well done to the sorting office (or whoever was responsible) for delivering a Christmas card to us today, with surname misspelt, wrong name of road, wrong village (similar name but 200 miles away) and no post code. Wow!

But what an idiotic friend who sent it. Different errors every year. I have given up giving them my correct address