"Swapping out" stamps

[thirdcrank]

Has anybody completed the process of "swapping out" obsolescent postage stamps? It does seem cumbersome.

I only had three unused First Class Letter stamps value 3 @ 95p = £2.85 (e&oe) but I'd prefer not to lose it.

For anybody who wonders what I'm banging on about, postage stamps with barcodes are about to become no long valid. There's only a few days to swap them out

https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalma ... s-v1_4.pdf

[simonineaston]

Thanks for the reminder.

[rjb]

ive used mine to post birthday cards in the last couple of days. used a large letter and a couple of firsts to get shot of them. Ive got 1 first class and 2 x 1p stamps left. Dont know what i going to do with the 1p's. (hung over from stamp duty possably) ebay next year perhaps.

[gaz]

Has anybody completed the process of "swapping out" obsolescent postage stamps?

"Swapped out" the few that I had. The system worked, 2-3 week turn around IIRC but I wasn't really paying attention.

[sizbut]

Ditto, couple of weeks, for the 100+ I had. Totally pointless exercise at great cost for no reason that they've yet had the guts to reveal (video clips my a**e).

[rjb]

Phew deadline has been extended to 31 July 2023

[simonineaston]

point of order... the deadline to use non-bar-coded stamps is the last day of this month (Jan '23). Does anybody know if the deadline for swapping them is the same or different?

[simonineaston]

Found on mse just now... the last day to use or swap is the same - 31/7/23

You now have until 31 July 2023 to use any non-barcoded everyday stamps – those with the Queen's profile on – before they become worthless. Alternatively, you can swap them for barcoded versions for free through the Royal Mail scheme.

[thirdcrank]

Found on mse just now... the last day to use or swap is the same - 31/7/23

You now have until 31 July 2023 to use any non-barcoded everyday stamps – those with the Queen's profile on – before they become worthless. Alternatively, you can swap them for barcoded versions for free through the Royal Mail scheme.

As I wrote above, I've already submitted my three leftovers so for me, the die is cast.

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

We’re adding barcodes to our regular stamps. After 31 January 2023, regular stamps without a barcode* will no longer be valid. You can either use up these stamps before this deadline or swap them for the new barcoded ones.

However, buried in the Q&As there's this

What happens if I use a non-barcoded stamp after 31 January 2023?

Mail posted with non-barcoded Definitive stamps after 31 January 2023, will for the first 6 month be delivered as normal, no surcharge will be raised. After this 6 month grace period, an item with a non-barcoded stamp would be treated as if there is insufficient postage. Any item that has insufficient postage is subject to a surcharge. Surcharge fees can be found on our website.

[hemo]

Does the barcode have details to prevent any new unfranked stamps from being reused ?

Martin Lewis mentioned the 31July grace period of using them as well, so no panic to swap old ones just yet.

[thirdcrank]

Does the barcode have details to prevent any new unfranked stamps from being reused ?

Martin Lewis mentioned the 31July grace period of using them as well, so no panic to swap old ones just yet.

It does seem like another Consignia-type fiasco. I'm not clear if that period of grace applies only to using the old stamps. ie Does the "swapping out" arrangement last till then as well?

[simonineaston]

From the RM website - although it doesn't appear to reference the recent, amended, grace period...

took some digging to find this in their FAQs

FAQ page here https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps

[thirdcrank]

Harking back to English Lit in my long-gone youth, pace Sean O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock the RM seems to be in a "state of chassis."

I'm grateful I've only got three first class stamps at stake here. And the universal postal service, of course.

[squeaker]

Has anybody completed the process of "swapping out" obsolescent postage stamps?

"Swapped out" the few that I had. The system worked, 2-3 week turn around IIRC but I wasn't really paying attention.

Same here. Pity about the small book of old stamps I then uncovered in my home office desk... At least I knew the process 2nd time around

[simonineaston]

On the other hand, my printing of the return form reveals I'll need more ink soon... the value of the swapped stamps paling into insignificance against the cost of another pair of ink cartridges! It may literally be cheaper to buy a new printer.