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

How weird, I swapped a book of stamps and my set are perforated, I haven't used any so didn't notice. I watch rolling news daily and knew to change my stamps but didn't hear anything about the barcode other than them being changed to have one. Glad to see this post for when I do need them (if I ever do)

Mine were definitely perforated. I searched online for ages trying to work out why and whether I had to put it somewhere separate or what. I hate stuff like that...it gives me the absolute rage. Just be clear and explain why and how to use it. If it wasn't needed and the design was changed, then the mind boggles as to what the thought process was

The ones i bought weren't perforated. I just peeled them of the backing paper and stuck them on the letter, the same as the old style stamps.

If you google " Are barcoded stamps perforated?", interestingly, this thread is the first result! After that every single result says "The barcodes sit alongside the main body of the stamp, separated by a simulated perforation line". I haven't seen any yet, but it does seem like they were not supposed to be perforated in the original design.

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?

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....

I've seen the news but don't remember anything about stamps.

I just guessed that was the reason so the traditional stamp shape is there but the barcode is added on to it. Otherwise traditionalists would complain it is now just a sticker (it is)

Well having now read this thread I have just checked the ones we have. It totally looks perforated and I would have definitely tried to remove it ! There’s a fine line between the stamp and the code so they do look separate, or like they should be separated. I have looked at the back of the stamp though and it’s all one big piece

for those saying ‘have you not seen the news?’ We don’t have a tv so don’t see any adverts and I work from home so am not sat in the car commuting anymore to bother to listen to the radio. Most evenings we are busy with DC and pets so certainly don’t sit down and read a paper even on line. People can easily not hear about such things these days

thank you though OP for pointing it out. Good to know ! (Shite design though)

Is this the actual reason?

I'm not thick...I'm an overthinker so I assume everything is done for a valid reason. Therefore I assumed that there must have been a proper reason that the stamp and barcode are able to be separated?

Where are you all buying perforated ones

It's not perforated. It's a wiggly line so they keep the traditional "stamp" shape without people writing angry letters. The Christmas ones are also a wiggly line but a different looking wiggly line.

This

The ones I got are perforated and it is baffling. Why, as it makes it very easy to take the barcode off even if it's already on a letter (these adhesive stamps peel off very easily)?

I’ve had several books of barcode stamps and they have never been perforated.

My book is perforated and the barcode readily splits from the stamp.

Wow ..so rude.

It's actually not clear at all. Have you seen them?

The barcode is not attached to the stamp. This made me wonder why it's not attached? Is it meant to go somewhere else? Why is it like that?

Do people really need instructions for how to use a stamp nowadays? How did we get to this stage?

I honestly don’t understand why it would need to. It’s been in the news enough that barcoded stamps are now going to be a thing, how do you think it would work if the code isn’t attached to the stamp?

I got a book of the new stamps a couple of weeks ago with the barcodes. They do look perforated. I hadn't seen anything anywhere about the barcodes. Had no idea what they for so I didn't know if they went with the stamp or not. I don't watch the news, read the papers or listen to the radio regularly. The easiest and simplest solution would to be to put the info on the stamp booklet and not have the perforated line between the stamp and the code.

I realise from now on I need to keep checking the internet on a regular basis for all the latest stamp news though.

Agree...I used one the other day and was very confused. Went online to check how it's meant to be used and it as very vague as to what you're meant to do. I'm not impressed.

You should never send money in a card that's just got a stamp on it. Always send it special delivery!

They're also a really ugly and clunky design.

Nowhere on the stamp book packaging did it say ‘do not detach barcode)

I honestly don’t understand why it would need to. It’s been in the news enough that barcoded stamps are now going to be a thing, how do you think it would work if the code isn’t attached to the stamp?

They've printed them with a bloody line that looks exactly like a perforation between the stamp and qr code. Stupid design.

It would be so much easier if you could just swop them in a Post Office!