Lines Long in Hunt for 3-Cent Stamps

The three-cent stamp increase Sunday has brought with it long lines at post offices throughout the county, officials reported Tuesday.

“It’s been busy,” said Tom Hellmuth, manager of customer services at the main Ventura post office on East Santa Clara Avenue. He said customers had to wait about 10 minutes in line Friday and again Tuesday.

Postal officials expect more of the same today and advise waiting until next week to buy stamps.

“It’s been a continuous flow of people the entire day,” said Joe Camacho, customer service supervisor at the main Thousand Oaks post office. “Most were in line to purchase three-cent stamps.”

Camacho said between 1,500 and 2,000 customers passed through the East Thousand Oaks Boulevard facility Tuesday, three times more than average. He said it has been busier this week than in the days preceding Christmas, usually the busiest time of the year for postal workers.

Post offices throughout the nation reported long lines and brisk activity, officials said.

Unopened coils and unused sheets of 29-cent stamps can be used toward the purchase of 32-cent stamps, officials said.

Opened coils and sheets, however, cannot be returned and three-cent stamps will have to be affixed next to each 29-cent stamp on less than one ounce, officials said.