Postage stamps

[mkjuk]

Are first and second class postage stamps purchased prior to a price increase valid after the price goes up?

If so whats to stop traders buying thousands prior to the price rise then selling them after at the higher price? Also what does a shop keeper typically pay for a first and second class stam

[NORMANTHEDOG]

no,they are not ,they can only be used plus the increase

[kempie]

If the stamp is printed "1st" or "2nd" they remain valid at the new price.

[Ethel]

Shopkeepers pay face value for stamps - they are not discounted at all.

They like to sell stamps because it brings people in - they may buy other things at the same time.

[dzug]

Yes they are valid - I've been doing it since April and haven't run out yet. As the stamps haven't changed how could they possibly tell anyway?

There's nothing to stop people buying them up prior to an increase other than having the capital available for a fairly small return. For most it's not worth the hassle except on a small scale.

[Postdog]

The price isn't going up though - It's the way items are categorised that determine the postage, and in a lot of cases, you won't notice any difference.

I should imagine most stamps bought in shops and supermarkets are used for letters, and these won't be affected.

[mkjuk]

I know the price isnt going up at the moment but there was an increase a few months ago if i remember correctly

[dzug]

The price went up in April.

And the Royal Mail are not really against this - they get less money, yes, but they get it earlier so it helps with cash flow. And it saves them having to print millions of new stamps and throw away the old ones every time the rates change.

[kempie]

Ethel - Royal Mail Retailers receive a wholesale discount of around 5% for the bulk purchase of books of postage stamps.

[what..the?]

Yes a trader that who buys first and second class stamps before a price rise will make a profit.

However the most money is to be made at stamp auctions where boxes full of old mixed stamps can be bought at a very affordable price, these old stamps allow you to make money due to the rise in the price of first and second class over the years, and also on the various other denominations (pence's) as these are undesirable to the stamp collectors who often buy these is bulk and pick out the cream (best ones) to keep for their own collections which results in unwanted stamps with very naff pictures that can be bought very cheaply.

If through business you want people to open the mail you send them (for example) an invoice or a advertisment of the services you offer, a really unusual old stamp will attract their eye and we tempt them to open it - in my experience!!