Reusing Postage stamps

Oh, and yes, I stick a new address label on the original envelope if the stamp has missed being cancelled.

I love SilverHippy's idea of using pre-franked envelopes too, if only to return junk mail! Does anyone have any tips for removing self adhesive stamps? It's not as easy as removing older stamps! I certainly don't feel guilty at recycling pre-used unfranked stamps. If they didn't charge 11 shillings for one stamp and then deliver so late in the day I might feel differently! Whatever happened to EARLY morning deliveries And next day deliveries being the norm, not at an added extra cost?

KenBallytrim I checked with the PO a few years ago after finding several leftover stamps from a few Christmases ago. I was told that those stamps are perfectly valid and if they say 1st or 2nd, they will go at that rate regardless of whether the actual cost has risen. So, definitely use the stamps. Don't waste them.

I enter a lot of competitions on postcards. Despite writing "To" and "From" clearly on the cards, the postman often delivers them back to me. By this time it's too late to post them as the competition has closed. Therefore the post office owes me money and I will always reuse an unfranked stamp.

I just noticed an advertisement for the Post Office at the top of this page on my lap-top - are they watching us??

I have just paid just over £20 for 35 2nd class stamps so I wouldn't worry one bit if I was you.

Stamp cancelling is not always visible. I recently received a demand for £2 so that a letter with a 'forged' stamp would be delivered. Lucky I paid up, though I was tempted not to. It contained a cheque for £100 from a customer.

We'll be doing it too! Love Silverhippy's idea too, will certainly try that

Thank goodness it is not just me then! I read somewhere recently that it was defrauding the Post Office and an offence, so I have since only been able to leave the house with a large hat and my coat collar turned up!

When I posted my Christmas cards last year I felt mugged after leaving the PO counter with the cost of stamps (as well as normal post I send a fair few to Ireland). Saved about £4 reusing some this year! (Don't tell on me!)

Having just paid £19.80 for 36 stamps I would no guilt at recycling one, though it has been made more difficult.

I've just posted 6 Christmas cards all with stamps peeled off last years cards -at the equivent of eleven shillings each in 'old' money its quite a lot .I know it's illegal but not sure why
I find you get a lot of unfranked stamps at Christmas I suspect they speed up the rate they go through the machines and lots get missed I see it as recycling

The problem with any stamp, used or unused, being covered by sellotape is that it can't be franked so the PO would be quite likely to insist you buy a new one.

How can they tell if a sellotaped stamp has been used by looking at it at the PO counter? I would have told them that it been stuck on another (wrong shape or size) envelope or parcel in error.

Actually I go one step further, if I receive advertising spam with pre-paid return envelopes, I use them, putting a label over the return address, so I can write a new addressee name there, but leaving the pre-paid stamp area uncovered.

I've never had a problem with doing that.

I've done it too - if that's the only naughty thing we've done, I think we deserve a pat on the back !

On a similar note, Unused Christmas stamps - or any unused stamps - from the previous year. I often buy stamps in a bulk lot - several sheets - to send batches of cards, and often there may be some stamps left over. They're paid for at the current rate, so, if they aren't used for say twelve months (by which time the postage rate will most likely have risen) as far as I'm concerned, the PO has had the benefit of my money, and I have the right to use the stamps I bought for the purpose they were bought.

I've read that they can tell if a stamp is being re-used regardless of it being franked or not, by ultra-ray light or something. Whether that's true or not I'm not taking the risk!

Quite, my mum could see a 20p piece at 50 yards, and she 'had eye problems'

Could spot an unfranked stamp a mile off. In those days you just soaked them, but we spent a fortune on the mail service, so in Tesco speak 'Every little helps'

I do it whenever I can and always have and I will carry on. We don't get a lot for free in this life!

I do to although I did get caught out at the post office as I had selotaped the stamp to the parcel and I was told to remove it and buy a replacement. Now I make sure I have some gum too hand. I have noticed that the stamps are now more difficult to remove as they are stencilled in the middle.

I do it too I ve never thought of it as dishonest although I guess it is but would it be any different to picking up a pound coin laying in the street with no owner in sight I just see it as a small present from PO ..... I spend enough with them anyway

No you aren't Hooty! I do it whenever the chance arises. The PO is keen enough to take their quota for undelivered mail etc. The little people fight back!