$2 Inverted Jenny #580000

CAUTION: Back when this item was first issued and the hunt was on for the 'scarce' un-inverted S/S an order went out that these issues could NOT be returned once opened. However that was not adhered too in many cases. Buyers were bringing back opened items to the sales counters & either exchanging them for another (for issues with the product) or to procure a refund (if that was even allowed.

After about a year of public sale in local Post Offices these items (#580000) were recalled to the Fulfilment Center for Philatelic Sales only. I believe only 40+ un-inverts have been recorded as found so collectors occasionally make a purchase to continue the hunt. I usually make a single purchase at the end of the year & hope for a year end discovery. I did that this year, with my end of year order of the last issues & the Annual Yearbook.

And guess what I received....??? No not the treasured un-invert... I received one of the recalled items which had been returned to the local Post Office in the early days of issue. Although it was in the clear wrap, the enclosed item envelope had been sliced open evidencing previous purchase & return. No more treasure hunting for me. & yes I will be writing to the Fulfilment center (or eMail) this issue. .o

That is just awful. What a lack of controls.

UPDATE: I gave the 800# a call and spoke to Rachael (very nice & knowledgeable). After a lengthy explanation and being sure I was correct in my understanding of the administrative history of the s/s issue, she suggested I return for an exchange. & That is exactly what I did. She had advised that any items which appeared to have been opened (operative word-appeared) or were returned outside the original item packaging (printed envelope) were required to be shredded. The item I received was opened with a small very sharp knife as the cut was 'exactly' at the flap fold & hard to discern (once shrink wrapped) Hey things happen, get by the operators, so as long as I get an honest chance at picking up an un-invert, I'm Happy.

At the end of the day they are still perfectly good postage. You and the first guy are both treating them like lottery tickets and not stamps. I can't take a side on this one.

I would posit that the USPS created the "lottery ticket" condition by salting the issue with "winners" in the first place.

After nine whole years now, you should be suspicious about the virginity of any of these sheets, shouldn't you?

Not if they remain sealed in the original packaging.

I'm sure the guy in the OP isn't the first one to carefully open one and then pass it on as factory sealed. That happens with many consumer goods besides stamps.

NO NO NO.... I am not one of those who open & returns an item (unless damaged or not what was ordered.) There is some trust & honesty between collectors & dealers (the USPS being a dealer {of sorts}). This issue & it's marketing was a 'treasure hunt' for sure. & yes, it is a valid $2 postage stamp. I have 4+ s/s sheets for taking part in the hunt. I will probably add one more when I get the exchange completed. I just want a fair shot. Why insinuate some nefarious ploy. (What happened during the initial issuance purchase period was avoidable, but it was compounded with the recall.) I've been dealing with the Fulfillment Center for well over 35 years, and aside from some 'minor' issues which have all been satisfactorily resolved, I will continue to seek new issues & Philatelic products. (you wonder why, some wonder why not, be pragmatic, it is what it is on face & nothing else),

I meant you weren't the first one to be victimized by receiving a tampered one. No one knows how many have been checked and tossed back into the market. I fully agree that you should get what you pay for.

Here are some very interesting comments from 2015
https://www.uspsoig.gov/blog/jenny-...ately?page=5

Some of the people commenting on that blog post are complete morons... not understanding what face value is and what can be done with it, thinking that they paid $2.00 for a stamp only worth 49 cents in postage, and thus demanding refunds.

Humanity needs an enema.

The Saga Continues: Yesterday I received an envelope from the Fulfilment Center. It contained my original Item #58000 (returned), the accompanying letter stated that the Center would "NOT accept this SPECIFIC item in an opened condition for refund or exchange" I find myself in a Catch 22 situation. I called the Customer Services Center (again) and explained that I initially received the item in an OPEN condition. After explaining (again) I was aware of the no-return--no-refund policy and that this policy was not originally followed in the field during the original sale period and that when they re-called this item from the field for centralized sale out of the Fulfillment Center they received items which had been opened & put into stock for resale. I was advised that a Supervisor had approved the mailing of an exchange unit (unopened I hope) that day to be mailed and I was to return my 'damaged' unit again to the Fulfillment Center. I have done my part (N/C-I used a business replay label). Will update upon arrival of new item (or return again of original). (I have been doing business with USPS Philatelic Center since at least 1981. I was due for a 'snafu').

When you returned it, did you include a note with the return details and the name of the supervisor you talked to?
Don