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 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.

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!

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

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?

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

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

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??

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?

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

This is the reverse which clearly shows this one is one piece

I wondered that and was removing them till I was told not too!

Yes, I think some folk are thinking the squiggly line is a perforation because it makes no sense for there to be an actual perforation - how would the machinery do that if it's set up for printing and making a single sticker?

Why wouldn't there be talk of it somewhere on the interwebs as stamps with real perforations must be worth a fortune!

The ones I had were perforated - the stamps peeled off the book it two bits.

They do have those two lozenge shaped things on the actual stamp bit, I wonder if it's those that are causing confusion?

I can't find any mention of a real perforation via Google. All sources say it's simulated. Really odd!

the lozenge bits were there on the old style stamps too. It's to make peeling them off an envelope more difficult.

No, you can't check letters have been delivered without either Signed For or Special Delivery.

All these folk saying their stamps are perforated - photo evidence needed!

You would think that when people get confused and believe there is a perforation, and then tear along the imagined perforation, they would realise that it hasn't torn in the way that a perforation tears. But I guess that's the power of the human mind.

That's not actually correct - 1st and 2nd class parcels come with a tracking number and you can check when it's delivered on the Royal Mail website.

I received an ebay package a few days ago with a second class barcode stamp on (like in the 1st class stamp photos above but second class). The seller emailed me asking for feedback as they said it has been delivered now. I don't know how she knows this since the stamp only has a barcode and not a number?

You can't track normal 1st and 2nd Class parcels, if you could then Special Delivery wouldn't exist.

They can't be tracked but you do get delivery confirmation. I've used this many many times!

When you send a parcel at the post office eg second class small parcel they give you a receipt with a number on. Put that in the Royal Mail tracking website and once it's delivered it shows "delivered".

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

Place marking in case someone posts a photo of a perforated stamp/code.

I had some perforated ones! The stamp and bar code peeled off separately and I had to stick them next to each other, I'm pretty sure they got tor where they needed to go.