New US stamps question

[starreyes]

Has anyone else noticed that the post office hasn't been canceling the new US stamps? Or is it just my post office that hasn't been doing it or something?

[Joey]

Hi starreyes,

I haven't received much mail with the new stamps yet, so I haven't had a chance to check it out, but you could be right! I'm just not sure though


Joey

[starreyes]

Thanks,

Also, I'm not sure if maybe they are scanning them for a code or something so they would know if you reused them. If anyone works in a post office or something and knows could you tell me?

I've been getting a ton of mail lately, auto's and not, and hardly any of the stuff is canceled.

[fbb819]

I doubt they have a scanning ability. A technology like that would probably cost a lot of money. And that would cause the price of stamps to increase more than 2 cents to pay for. It's probably just been getting through the system. Over where I am stuff is still being canceled out.

[TheCollector]

Thanks,

Also, I'm not sure if maybe they are scanning them for a code or something so they would know if you reused them. If anyone works in a post office or something and knows could you tell me?

I've been getting a ton of mail lately, auto's and not, and hardly any of the stuff is canceled.

Hi starreyes

Interesting you should say that, but I had the same 'problem' in the UK recently. I had a heck of a lot of post coming through which wasn't cancelled - some originating in the USA, but most from the UK.

I asked at the post office, and it is the sorting office's responsibility to cancel stamps, so I am guessing your local office is not that hot on it at the moment

That was what I was told. Also, the technology checks for obvious ink (cancellation) marks on stamps when they are used, but not for anything more than that at the moment.

I might be wrong for the US, but I reckon the story would probably be the same as here!

Ian

[starreyes]

Thanks,

Also, I'm not sure if maybe they are scanning them for a code or something so they would know if you reused them. If anyone works in a post office or something and knows could you tell me?

I've been getting a ton of mail lately, auto's and not, and hardly any of the stuff is canceled.

Hi starreyes

Interesting you should say that, but I had the same 'problem' in the UK recently. I had a heck of a lot of post coming through which wasn't cancelled - some originating in the USA, but most from the UK.

I asked at the post office, and it is the sorting office's responsibility to cancel stamps, so I am guessing your local office is not that hot on it at the moment

That was what I was told. Also, the technology checks for obvious ink (cancellation) marks on stamps when they are used, but not for anything more than that at the moment.

I might be wrong for the US, but I reckon the story would probably be the same as here!

Ian

Thanks Ian!

So just to sum stuff up for myself and to make sure I understand, I should be able to reuse any of the postage I get returned that isn't really obviously canceled?

Thanks for your help!

[nowandagain]

So just to sum stuff up for myself and to make sure I understand, I should be able to reuse any of the postage I get returned that isn't really obviously canceled?

Technically, you could re-use the postage that hasn't been cancelled. Just soak, cut around or remove the stamp in some way and stick it onto a new envelope, or re-use the old envelope (if possible.)

However, your not really supposed to "recycle" postage stamps that have been used but haven't been cancelled.

nowandagain [rockon]

[starreyes]

Yeah, I've done that before!
Just have to be kind of careful about it....

Thanks everybody

[TheCollector]

Thanks,

Also, I'm not sure if maybe they are scanning them for a code or something so they would know if you reused them. If anyone works in a post office or something and knows could you tell me?

I've been getting a ton of mail lately, auto's and not, and hardly any of the stuff is canceled.

Hi starreyes

Interesting you should say that, but I had the same 'problem' in the UK recently. I had a heck of a lot of post coming through which wasn't cancelled - some originating in the USA, but most from the UK.

I asked at the post office, and it is the sorting office's responsibility to cancel stamps, so I am guessing your local office is not that hot on it at the moment

That was what I was told. Also, the technology checks for obvious ink (cancellation) marks on stamps when they are used, but not for anything more than that at the moment.

I might be wrong for the US, but I reckon the story would probably be the same as here!

Ian

Thanks Ian!

So just to sum stuff up for myself and to make sure I understand, I should be able to reuse any of the postage I get returned that isn't really obviously canceled?

Thanks for your help!

Hi starreyes

This question comes up quite a lot on the forum

Technically, it is actually illegal to reuse uncancelled stamps if they have been used once to mail a letter. One of our other members checked with the US Postal Service and they confirmed this is the case.

I am sure on the other hand that many people do reuse them, so I guess it is up to you to decide what you want to do.

Ian

[starreyes]

Yeah, I have seen LOTS of posts like that. As far as no one gets in jail for it or anything I have no problem with it, but I guess that topic should be in another topic that has already been covered.