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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to ask why the new stamps of detachable barcodes if they don’t want you to detach them before sending?

110 replies

Blah1881 · 23/01/2023 12:38

I’m so pissed off because I’ve just sent money in a card to a relative using the new stamp which I bought at a supermarket. Nowhere on the stamp book packaging did it say ‘do not detach barcode) so I assumed it was something I should hang on to so I could track the letter. Now I learn that you have to keep the barcode on if the stamp is to be considered valid- aaargh! Why serrate the edge between the stamp and barcode if they don’t want you to detach it? Why no instructions on the bloody packaging?! Surely I am not alone in being caught out by this? AIBU?

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 29/01/2023 17:20

PriamFarrl · 29/01/2023 17:02

Why would they have fake perforations on them? Who is gaining there?

I don't know why they have them but they clearly do.

ArcticSkewer · 29/01/2023 17:16

So who has a photo of some with a 'real' perforation?

Mine also just have a simulated 'look' and very clearly peel as one item. You'd need to cut them to separate. Anyone going to own up to doing that yet?

roses2 · 29/01/2023 17:10

I've got a book - they clearly have a picture of a perforation but if you rub your finger on it it's smooth

Apparently you can check these have been delivered but how since there is no number to track??

AIBU to ask why the new stamps of detachable barcodes if they don’t want you to detach them before sending?
QuestionableMouse · 29/01/2023 17:07

I've used them all now but I bought six and they were perforated.

PriamFarrl · 29/01/2023 17:02

Why would they have fake perforations on them? Who is gaining there?

Goldpaw · 29/01/2023 16:56

OP - can you take a photo of the back of one of the stamps and post it here so we can see what the perforations look like?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 29/01/2023 16:50

Why are they so bloody giant? They take up half a small card leaving no room for the address.

bussteward · 29/01/2023 16:44

Nowhere on the stamp book packaging did it say ‘do not detach barcode) so I assumed it was something I should hang on to so I could track the letter.
I don’t understand this assumption at all! If they wanted you to do that, it would say so. Just peel and stick the stamp!

LaMagdalena · 29/01/2023 16:35

roses2 · 29/01/2023 16:08

Is there a way to track using the barcode on the stamp? Royal Mail says it's an option but how do I find the code to track???

I have a second class large letter to send.

No, you can't currently track letters with stamps. Special Delivery is the Royal Mail tracked option for letters.

roses2 · 29/01/2023 16:08

Is there a way to track using the barcode on the stamp? Royal Mail says it's an option but how do I find the code to track???

I have a second class large letter to send.

ShaunaTheSheep · 23/01/2023 22:52

It's to stop people re-using unfranked stamps.

Motorina · 23/01/2023 22:49

Does anyone know why they are barcoding stamps? The Royal Mail website says:

The move is part of the Company’s extensive and ongoing modernisation drive and will allow the unique barcodes to facilitate operational efficiencies, enable the introduction of added security features and pave the way for innovative services for customers.

I spent 20 years working for the NHS, so I'm really good at translating government gobbledegook, but that has me beaten.

Redbushteaforme · 23/01/2023 20:53

Slightly off topic but I had a heap of old stamps which I sent off to Royal Mail last month to be swapped for new barcoded ones. Quite a few of them were 1p or 2p stamps which I bought ages ago so that I could use them with a second class stamp if I needed to send something first class or had a large letter. The replacement 1p and 2p stamps are so large that you couldn't fit more than a few of them on to a normal size envelope. So I am now stuck with stamps which are pretty much unusable!

Original poster
Blah1881 · 23/01/2023 19:28

The ones I had today were perforated and I could think of no other reason why they would be except that they would enable me to track the letter- which seemed reasonably useful. Now I learn that it’s so I can add a video message which just seems to be an utterly uncalled for idea

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 23/01/2023 19:11

yousmellnice · 23/01/2023 17:58

Mine really aren't! I'm wondering if mine are fakes?! I got them from the post office though

Show quote history

They aren't fakes.

my two different versions absolutely aren't perforated - they are just a single piece. No instructions are necessary, just peel them off and use.

LaMagdalena · 23/01/2023 19:02

Motelschmotel · 23/01/2023 17:53

If you tore along the perforated bit, can’t you just stick the other side into the envelope next to/under the stamp? You won’t be the only person to have done this. The sorting office will deal with it.

No, tearing the barcode off invalidates the stamp.

jetadore · 23/01/2023 18:06

Christ, people will find anything to moan about won’t they?

ItsRainingCatsAndDogsAgain · 23/01/2023 17:59

Your card should still get there just fine, OP. After the end of July, the recipient would have had to pay a penalty to receive it.

But yes, a printed warning not to detach the barcodes would be a good idea.

yousmellnice · 23/01/2023 17:58

MeanderingGently · 23/01/2023 16:52

My stamps really are perforated, I bought two books of 1st class new ones at Tesco, the barcode thingy is perforated for each stamp and can be separated if I so wished.

Clearly from the replies here there are different types of new stamps, or perhaps they have already changed the design if folk don't know whether to separate or not? Would be interested if someone can enlighten me....

Mine really aren't! I'm wondering if mine are fakes?! I got them from the post office though

yousmellnice · 23/01/2023 17:57

ShaunaTheSheep · 23/01/2023 17:04

According to Royal Mail the line is a simulated perforation...maybe if yours really do have perforations it's a mistake and they are worth something?

Yes good shout! Might be worth selling on ebay.

yousmellnice · 23/01/2023 17:56

ShaunaTheSheep · 23/01/2023 17:48

Can anyone post a photo of their actual perforated stamps please?

Yeah I'd like to see them too

Motelschmotel · 23/01/2023 17:53

If you tore along the perforated bit, can’t you just stick the other side into the envelope next to/under the stamp? You won’t be the only person to have done this. The sorting office will deal with it.

ItsRainingCatsAndDogsAgain · 23/01/2023 17:53

You can still use all stamps until the end of July 2023.

After that, you can still use all picture and Christmas stamps without problem or penalty. Only the non-barcoded stamps with only the late Queen's head on will become redundant from 31.07.23 and need to be swapped with Royal Mail.

Glittertwins · 23/01/2023 17:49

I've not seen the new ones nor any adverts about them, I hardly use the post as it's too unreliable. Buy from what I've read here, I need to make sure stamp and a bar code are kept together on the envelope?

ShaunaTheSheep · 23/01/2023 17:48

Can anyone post a photo of their actual perforated stamps please?

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