LOCAL POST OFFICES STILL CAN'T KEEP ENOUGH 3-CENT STAMPS ON HAND

The run on 3-cent stamps continued in Cape Girardeau and Jackson Thursday. Jackson Postmaster Joyce Westrich likened the long lines to the premiere of the Elvis stamp.

"It's phenomenal the way people are going after our 3-cent stamps, like they're the last ones left," she said.

Westrich loaned 5,000 of the 3-cent stamps to the Cape Girardeau post office Thursday morning. "They lasted less than an hour," said Matthew Peters, customer services manager for the Cape Girardeau post office.

"I've never sold so many stamps in one day at the post office," he said. "Regular people come in and buy 100 or 200 stamps on a sheet.

Peters thinks it is panic-buying by people who are afraid they'll be stuck with their 29-cent stamps.

Peters has plenty of the new 32-cent stamps in stock. But people don't seem nearly as interested in them as in the 3-centers.

At Jackson, Westrich said she's willing to share stamps with other post offices as long as she has enough for Jackson's customers. But all her customers aren't coming from Jackson these days.

"About a third of our customers yesterday and today are from Cape Girardeau," Westrich said.

A shipment of 20,000 of the 3-cent variety arrived Thursday at Jackson, making the loan of 5,000 to Cape Girardeau possible, Westrich said.

"But we are running out again. We are hoping Cape will get theirs (this) morning and give ours back."

The Cape Girardeau post office's regular order is due to arrive today and should include a boosted total of 90,000 of the 3-cent stamps, Peters said.

The Cape Girardeau post office has sold 80,000, 3-cent stamps in the rush so far.

Jackson did not receive 32-cent sheet stamps in its latest shipment from the regional distribution center in Kansas City. "We did get books and coils and they're going fast," Westrich said.

The shortage of 3-cent stamps could ease if people buy only as many 3-cent stamps as they need at any one time, postal officials say.

"I personally have about 30, 29-cent stamps left," Westrich said. "I bought eight to go with it and I thought that would do."

She anticipates that more 3-cent stamps will be available when she needs them.

"People are afraid we'll run out. We will not. It's an ongoing thing," she said.

Using the new 32-cent stamps also would help. "Once we get over the initial opening, things should get back to normal," Peters said.

Ordering stamps by mail is a way to avoid long lines. Most postal customers have received order forms through the mail and can ask for them by calling the post office.

Like Peters, Westrich is mystified by the volume of 3-cent sales.

"I didn't think that many people had 29-cent stamps left," she said.