I was distressed recently when a letter I had mailed was "returned for postage", and the postage I had affixed to it was ignored. 

According to the USPS.com description, the product from which I garnered the postage is called a ?stamped card,? and it goes on to say that ?Postage is pre?printed.? 

So this card?s ?stamp? which is clearly ?postage?, was *not* accepted as postage when two of them were affixed to a standard letter.  That decision was confirmed by a postal employee at my local branch as well.

So now I have wasted $0.48 (they were older $0.24 cards that I used), since those *stamps* were destroyed in the application of a new stamp for the letter being mailed.

--

Really??

Anyone have clarification of why or why not??

Thanks!!

From the USPS Domestic Mail Manual:

9.1.8 Not Exchangeable

The following postage items are not exchangeable:

a. Adhesive stamps, unless mistakes were made in buying, stamps were defective, stamps were affixed to commercial envelopes and postcards, or under 9.1.7.

b. Stamps cut from stamped cards, stamped envelopes, or aerogrammes (airletter sheets).

c. Parts and pieces of stamped cards.

you cant cut postage off one item and use it on another.

I'm not trying to "exchange it," as in sell it back to the P.O. ...

I cut stamps off things that I have stuck them on and changed my mind all the time, and stick them on something else...  What's the difference?

Here is a better reference:

1.3 Postage Stamps Invalid for Use

The following are not valid to pay postage for U.S. domestic or U.S.-originated international mail:

a. Postage due, special delivery, special handling, and Certified Mail stamps.

b. Stamps of other countries.

c. United Nations stamps, unless on mail deposited at the United Nations, NY.

d. U.S. stamps that are mutilated or defaced; cut from stamped envelopes, aerogrammes, or stamped cards; covered or coated in such a manner that canceling or defacing marks cannot be printed onto the stamps; or overprinted with an unauthorized design, message, or other marking.