The New Barcoded Stamps.

windywillow | 14:27 Tue 31st Jan 2023 | ChatterBank

11 Answers

Should barcoded stamps be cancelled at the sorting office like the old stamps were?

I've received a few letters over the last two weeks and only one stamp was cancelled - the stamp had a line drawn through it with a pen (presumably done by the postie prior to putting it through my letterbox).

It made me wonder why he did this if there's no need for cancellation due to the new barcode system. Perhaps old habits die hard?

Any thoughts please? TIA. x

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jno

I'm guessing, but surely not every single stamp has its own barcode, so they'd have to cancel them? Maybe with strikes on nobody has the time.

windywillow

Question Author

According to the Royal Mail every stamp has a unique barcode, and sorting equipment can detect if the stamp has already gone through the postal system, thus eliminating re-use of stamps that have not been cancelled.

Well, that's the theory. Sounds incredible to me.

jno

I'm surprised but I've just looked at mine and they do all seem different. They're not real barcodes, more like QR codes, which allow for lots more variation.

windywillow

Question Author

TBH I don't know the difference between QR and barcode, jno, but the RM call them barcodes.

It would be interesting to know how it works as my OH is sceptical, he's likened it to the old tv detector vans - apparently they couldn't detect your tv (so I'm told) but back in the day we didn't know any better.

choux

windy, I am thinking RM are surprised they are losing money? Really?!

That seems like an extremely large hammer to crack a small nut.

windywillow

Question Author

It's not just folk re-using the occasional stamp that's come through their door. There's a technique called 'washing' stamps, where folk 'wash' the franking mark off the stamps, then sell them on. This happens on eBay and other outlets.

The barcode is supposed to stop the possibility of this.

Hope the link works.....

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7806207/Couple-washed-700-000-used-stamps-sold-Amazon-eBay-225-000-fraud.html

Maydup

The bar codes replace the need for all that franking and ink. Reading the bar codes is quicker and cleaner hence their introduction.
I miss the old franks though that tell you where and when it was posted!

Maydup

Eventually we’ll be able to pay to send extra messages and videos using the bar codes.

As if we don’t have enough devices already for doing that!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/60201018