Can the "stamps" on pre-printed postcards be cut off and used as valid postage?
Asked by
laureth (
27211
)
April 4th, 2009
When we got married, we bought a ton of pre-stamped post cards (like this, but a different design) to use as RSVP cards in the invitations. We have approximately half a million of them left unused, gathering dust. If I were to snip off the “stamp” (which is printed-on) and affix it to the corner of a letter or package (in sufficient quantity as to cover current first-class postage), would this be considered legal postage, such that my parcels would reach their destinations?
It’s such a waste to throw these out, since we spent $0.24 on each one – but I never send postcards. I would like to be able to rescue them for practical use.
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9 Answers
Before you toss them, call the post office and ask if they have any suggestions.
@AstroChuck is probably the only person on here qualified to answer this question….
Neither rain nor sleet nor fluther server maintenance shall keep him from answering.
Good to know. Well, it was worth a shot. :o)
I bet that would piss off the post office lol
@astrochuck, when people don’t put return addresses on things, does it just get mailed to the destination?
@casheroo- Generally, when something is mail with insufficient postage it is delivered to the addressee postage due. Exceptions to this would be mass mailings or if mailed to businesses. In those cases the mail is returned to the sender for proper postage. When no postage is affixed to mail, it is returned to the sender as well. If there is no return address then it is sent postage due. If the addressed doesn’t pay then it is a dead letter.
Of course, if it looks like there’s anything of value, then I open it up and take it.
j/k, of course.
@laureth Before you throw them out, consider finding a way to donate them to a non-profit. Especially if the postage is current. If the volume is significiant enough, a group would really appreciate them.
If it is a smaller volume, see if you can think of a family member or neighbor where there is a small child in the mix. My preschoolers **love** getting and sending mail.
I once took pre-metered envelopes back to the post office, and they told me to write not used for the purpose intended, and gave me a credit for the postage. You may want to talk to the post office in person, and see if they will still do something like that.
You could sell them on e-Bay. You could use them in lieu of holiday cards, moving announcements, etc. You could create cool graphics and give them in packs of 10 as gifts. If you have any friends in bands, you could donate them to their band promotion efforts. Ditto for any start-up business.
Thanks everyone! :)
Especially AC. I almost put “AstroChuck” as a topic.
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