Re-using stamps

born$aver · 07-07-2008, 11:35 AM

I keep an eye out for mail that is delivered with no postage mark on the stamp... Once carefully peeled, they work fine for outgoing mail. Soory Unc Sam :$

mcnerd · 07-07-2008, 06:49 PM

At least they now know who you are. Probably forwarding the info to the IRS too.

Megan · 07-08-2008, 07:13 AM

Well, it's illegal, so I can't say I recommend this. Will you get caught? Quite probably not.

Personally, I don't care if you're talking 42 cents or $42 dollars. What you're doing is still using a service without paying for it and in doing so, only harming yourself and the rest of us who have to pay the postage rate. While it's frustrating that postage rates continue to go up, it's really a bargain to be able to mail a letter for 42 cents. The post office isn't exactly making a crazy profit from all your letters. Their money comes from other services and from collectibles they sell, from what I understand.

BobKipper · 07-10-2008, 05:41 PM

You can also try putting the address you are mailing it to in the return address spot and then putting your address as the destination address, then just don't use a stamp. I have done this multiple times without a problem.

Megan · 07-10-2008, 05:44 PM

Again, I don't think that advocating mail fraud is a good frugal suggestion. I don't care if you're getting away with it, it is illegal. If you want to go that route, then you might as well suggest slipping candy in your pockets when you go to the grocery store.

jayfromfree411 · 07-11-2008, 12:22 PM

Isn't it also kind of gross that someone probably licked that stamp already?

pidgeon92 · 07-11-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayfromfree411

Isn't it also kind of gross that someone probably licked that stamp already?

Stamps need licking? I pretty sure a majority are self-stick now. Further more, once you remove them, the glue is gone, and you need to use something to stick them to the new envelope.

I have some stamps that I glued to envelopes that I never used, and I am frankly too lazy to steam them off and use them again.

mbhunter · 07-11-2008, 08:31 PM

Yeah, hard for me to recommend this. Supposedly the USPS has gotten letters -- with money -- from people overcome with guilt because they reused postage.

saving maglet · 07-12-2008, 02:36 PM

Nah. I'd never do this. Not only is it illegal, but my conscience says no--I'll go with that.

wrreck · 07-13-2008, 09:24 AM

I work for the USPS as a letter carrier and it is hard to catch all of the uncanceled stamps but I try my best. If you reuse a stamp it is illegal as Megan has pointed out. If we catch it you'll have your mail delayed because it will be returned to you, no matter how far along in the delivery path it is caught. It might make it all the way to it's destination, only to be found and returned. Now, if you put that reused stamp on your credit card bill and you have to pay a late payment plus higher interest rates due to your letter being delayed, is it really worth it just to save yourself 42 cents? I think not. There are better ways to save money than to be a penny ante crook, which by the way, is exactly what you are Bob Kipper!

07-07-2008, 11:35 AM	#1
born$aver Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Reputation: (10)	Re-using stamps I keep an eye out for mail that is delivered with no postage mark on the stamp... Once carefully peeled, they work fine for outgoing mail. Soory Unc Sam :$

07-08-2008, 07:13 AM	#3
Megan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 304 Reputation: (59)	Well, it's illegal, so I can't say I recommend this. Will you get caught? Quite probably not. Personally, I don't care if you're talking 42 cents or $42 dollars. What you're doing is still using a service without paying for it and in doing so, only harming yourself and the rest of us who have to pay the postage rate. While it's frustrating that postage rates continue to go up, it's really a bargain to be able to mail a letter for 42 cents. The post office isn't exactly making a crazy profit from all your letters. Their money comes from other services and from collectibles they sell, from what I understand. __________________ Counting My Pennies

07-10-2008, 05:44 PM	#5
Megan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 304 Reputation: (59)	Again, I don't think that advocating mail fraud is a good frugal suggestion. I don't care if you're getting away with it, it is illegal. If you want to go that route, then you might as well suggest slipping candy in your pockets when you go to the grocery store. __________________ Counting My Pennies

07-11-2008, 08:31 PM	#8
mbhunter Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 82 Reputation: (17)	Yeah, hard for me to recommend this. Supposedly the USPS has gotten letters -- with money -- from people overcome with guilt because they reused postage. __________________ Mighty Bargain Hunter

07-12-2008, 02:36 PM	#9
saving maglet Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 13 Reputation: (10)	Nah. I'd never do this. Not only is it illegal, but my conscience says no--I'll go with that. __________________ --saving maglet

07-07-2008, 06:49 PM	#2
mcnerd Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 66 Reputation: (12)	At least they now know who you are. Probably forwarding the info to the IRS too.

07-10-2008, 05:41 PM	#4
BobKipper Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1 Reputation: (9)	You can also try putting the address you are mailing it to in the return address spot and then putting your address as the destination address, then just don't use a stamp. I have done this multiple times without a problem.

07-11-2008, 12:22 PM	#6
jayfromfree411 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 19 Reputation: (10)	Isn't it also kind of gross that someone probably licked that stamp already?

07-13-2008, 09:24 AM	#10
wrreck Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Reputation: (12)	I work for the USPS as a letter carrier and it is hard to catch all of the uncanceled stamps but I try my best. If you reuse a stamp it is illegal as Megan has pointed out. If we catch it you'll have your mail delayed because it will be returned to you, no matter how far along in the delivery path it is caught. It might make it all the way to it's destination, only to be found and returned. Now, if you put that reused stamp on your credit card bill and you have to pay a late payment plus higher interest rates due to your letter being delayed, is it really worth it just to save yourself 42 cents? I think not. There are better ways to save money than to be a penny ante crook, which by the way, is exactly what you are Bob Kipper!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode