Barcoded stamps query.

[numnuts]

Does anyone know, definitively, if the new barcoded stamps are still supposed to be franked? If not, then it must be the case that Royal Mail are scanning them all. When I first heard about the move to barcoding, I thought that it was mainly to do with stopping stamps being reused, but apparently not. Well, at least not officially. They want folks to use them to link to videos and stuff online.  

Edited February 25 by numnuts

[Anti Facts Sir]

Good question. Really I'd just like them to delivery my bloody post. And start sending things abroad again. They're a joke.

 

I'd also not bother using their "collect" service cos the postie never turns up. Clearly it's only an "if I fancy it" agreement.

 

[Grumpy Owl]

16 hours ago, numnuts said:

Does anyone know, definitively, if the new barcoded stamps are still supposed to be franked? If not, then it must be the case that Royal Mail are scanning them all. When I first heard about the move to barcoding, I thought that it was mainly to do with stopping stamps being reused, but apparently not. Well, at least not officially. They want folks to use them to link to videos and stuff online.  

The barcodes on stamps work the same way as the QR codes that appear on the address label if you buy postage online and print at home. If you take an item to a Post Office and buy postage there, they won't use stamps but print off a small label which also has a QR code.

 

Every letter or parcel gets scanned on delivery - its not so much about preventing reusing of stamps, but reducing fraudulent claims for non-delivery.