BUYERS HIT POST OFFICES FOR 37-CENT STAMPS.

Byline: Ryan Oliver Staff Writer

VAN NUYS - Customers trickled into the Van Nuys post office on Saturday for that one crucial errand of the weekend - picking up stamps to cover the new higher postal rates taking effect today.

They were buying up the new 37-cent stamps and shelling out change for the 3-cent make-up stamps needed to send the old 34-cent stamps on their way.

The price of a first-class stamp is increasing from 34 to 37 cents as the Postal Service says it needs to make up for revenue lost by the Sept. 11 attacks and drop in mail volume, and the discovery of anthrax-laced letters.

``We've had a very busy week all week with people getting the new stamps,'' said Terri Bouffiou, spokeswoman for the Postal Service in Los Angeles. ``We're also expecting a busy Monday, like every Monday when there's a postal rate increase.''

While most customers said they weren't too concerned about the additional costs, many noted the inconvenience of having to make a special trip.

Rosario Barreto made the most out of it by buying up some 3-cent stamps for a friend, too.

Barreto said she didn't feel taxed by the increased price, but added, ``for some people, it can be a lot.''

``I wish they made it a more even number,'' Harry Hansen said. ``They should just make it one big increase.''

Bouffiou acknowledged larger, less frequent price increases would be more convenient for individual customers. But for companies that mail a large volume of letters, a large price increase means big money.

The international letter rate - 60 cents for the first ounce to Mexico and Canada, and 80 cents to other countries - remains unchanged.

Customers can also purchase stamps online at www.usps.com or by calling (800) STAMP24.