BBC news launch of stamps with barcodes

[qwerty2]

Stamps with barcodes have been officially launched just seen a report on bbc breakfast
So we’ll have to start scanning every letter soon

[SpacePhoenix]

Only items of mail that we scan in MCs are Tracked and SDs

[Tinoblade]

Might not be fully tracked point to point, may just have delivery confirmation

[Tinoblade]

Theyre videos. What an investment

[POSTMAN]

All change! - Stamps are changing and we are making a historic move over to barcoded stamps – which means we all need to… Use Up, Swap Out!
Today we have announced that we are making a permanent transition to barcoded stamps.

This change means that we will be phasing out non-barcoded stamps.

Don’t worry – the changeover to barcoded stamps will be a gradual process – giving Royal Mail colleagues and our customers plenty of time to adjust.
You’ll need to look to use up any non-barcoded stamps over the next year - by January 31 2023.

If you find that you are unable to use up your non-barcoded stamps, there will be a swap out scheme, which will allow you to trade your non-barcoded stamps for barcoded ones.

Our ‘Swap Out Scheme’ will open on March 31 2022.

Operational colleagues will receive further info about this scheme and how it works – so look out for a WTLL on that topic via the Delivery Calendar.

In addition, customer service points will be receiving special packs to hand to customers who wish to swap out their non-barcoded stamps. Look out for those packs coming soon your way soon too.

Please let customers, friends and family know about the scheme – and don’t forget to Use Up, Swap Out yourself too!
What do the changes mean for our operational colleagues?

• It’s really important we cancel stamps correctly going forward - so that barcodes are not damaged
• If barcodes become damaged, customers will be unable to access the special features of barcoded stamps
• Be sure to check out the forthcoming WTLL about changes to the stamp cancellation process to find out how to cancel without damaging barcoded stamps.

code.gif

[POSTMAN]

Senior Deployment Manager
the barcode isn't designed for end to end tracking. It does makes each stamp unique - which provides additional security features to help us tackle stamp fraud - whilst also enabling the innovation side of things - this initial video is just the beginning...

the barcoded stamp isn't about public facing end to end tracking. The barcode makes each stamp unique - which provides additional security features to help us tackle stamp fraud - whilst also enabling us to develop new innovative services for customers using the barcode and RM App

Advanced Customer Advisor
going to generate more unnecessary calls to CE.

SKY
Those who receive a letter with one of the new stamps will be able to view content chosen by the sender, such as a birthday message or other greeting, after scanning the barcode using the Royal Mail app.

MRM
The Shaun the Sheep video is just the first in a series of videos planned for release during 2022 that will allow customers sending stamped mail to choose a video for the recipient of the item to see when they receive it.

[TopperGas]

Theyre videos. What an investment

Am I missing something but who is actually going to scan every stamped letter which arrives just to watch a video??

[Tinoblade]

Theyre videos. What an investment

Am I missing something but who is actually going to scan every stamped letter which arrives just to watch a video??

Maybe a few people the first time but after that none

[POSTMAN]

Here's my QR and Barcode...

qrcode_www.royalmailchat.co.uk.png

barcode.gif

[FAB]

Another gimmick from RM! Have to sort through all the old Christmas stamps I have built up over the years!

[POSTMAN]

I try not to be too critical of the business....but it's hard!

Advanced Customer Advisor
going to generate more unnecessary calls to CE.

Yes it's a gimmick, was thinking earlier on that I could use it to send a letter/card to family in Wales and link the code to a video of us etc.
But I would just send a Whatsapp message-Iphone message thingy-Facetime-Facebook chat the list is endless and free.

Then If I did use the service and the stamp gets cancelled wrong or damaged in some way then I would straight away be on phone/twitter etc to RMCS complaining, personally I wouldn't but you know how weird the public* are.

Well done Royal Mail.

* I am not a member of the public, I filled out a form to relinquish my involvement with them.

PS: It's actually a QR code not a 'barcode'!

[goneaway]

Might not be fully tracked point to point, may just have delivery confirmation

There wouldn't be any point in scanning them on delivery. The stamps/barcode have no tracking number and the stamps don't have a duplicate barcode a customer can keep to then enable them to check the item with that barcode has been delivered. And unlike the 2D barcoded labels printed in Post Offices, where a house number/postcode are recorded on the receipt, the stamps can be put on any letter or parcel, but there will be no link to the address the item has been sent to.

Now we know that unbarcoded stamps are to be phased out and not allowed to be used in a year's time, I imagine the main purpose is to (no pun intended) "stamp out" fraud and people reusing stamps, with the video links in the barcode just being a clever gimmick to get the message out there. Wow, a clever gimmick from Royal Mail, whatever next?

[Mick100]

Does this mean next Christmas my line manager will be able to go through my letters in the frame and see that I haven’t delivered that road for nearly 2 weeks

[yellowbelly]

Can I take my stamps to the Post Office to swap them out?


No — you can't swap your non-barcoded stamps out at a Post Office. You will need to pick up a 'Swap Out' form and send in your non-barcoded stamps to Royal Mail (freepost address on the form).

So people will be sending unused stamps to an identifiable freepost address - not a good idea surely?

[POSTMAN]

No tracking as said and no, no delivery confirmation, as for a second class stamp that would be pointless and loss making, even 1st class.
It's a gimmick where you scan it and you get a video, end of.

Special barcodes are being added to stamps by the Royal Mail in order to make it possible for people to watch videos and send birthday messages.
It's a cluster f**k press release as you're not allowed to track USO mail, Royal Mail has not told people enough information on it.

and the bbc reporter was asking if they fully tracked through journey??? to David Gold...You havent made it clear to public they are not. David Gold said regulator doesnt allow tracking of Uso mail. try explainning that to customers, who are going to presume...barcode...tracked..

From the same woman who said this...
going to generate more unnecessary calls to CE