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

[Blah1881]

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?

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?

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)

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)

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

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....

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?

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.

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.

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

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)

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

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?

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.

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.

Yeah I'd like to see them too

Yes good shout! Might be worth selling on ebay.

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

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.

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

No, tearing the barcode off invalidates the stamp.

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.

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

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!

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.

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