New prices for first-class stamps went into effect on Jan. 10 after public approval last June.

The U.S. Postal Service raised the price of first-class stamps from 32 cents to 33 cents.

“It is a rather unusual rate increase,” said Ames City Postmaster David Massarini. “We tried to come up with the best shot we could, and we feel we found the right rate.”

Massarini said the rate increase was delayed until after the holidays, one of the postal service’s busiest times of the year. When the increase went into effect, he said people rushed to get their one-cent stamps.

“During the first four days, we sold 320,000 penny stamps, but we still had plenty on hand to sell,” Massarini said.

He said some people even came back for more 32 cent stamps.

“They ran out of those but had penny stamps left,” he said.

The one-cent increase has not seemed to cause problems for most people, Massarini said. He said the one-cent stamp is a normal denomination that is in use all the time in post offices, not just for rate changes.

“Some people think this change is the best thing around, with the deals that are included in it,” said Bob Gorman, a post office worker at the Welch Avenue Station, 210 Welch Ave.

Some changes were made in areas other than postal rates. The weight considered to be first-class mail was extended from one to 11 ounces to one to 13 ounces.

Also, the additional price per ounce for packages weighing more than one ounce decreased from 23 cents to 22 cents, and money orders decreased by 5 cents.

Gorman said there have not been many problems at the post office due to the price increase.

“We haven’t noticed a lot either way,” he said. “There are always a few who complain, and some wonder why, but most haven’t said anything.”

Massarini said most people “accepted the change.”

“One interesting point is that if you compare the price of a stamp today to what people paid in 1970, you are actually paying less now because the increase is below the rate of inflation,” Massarini said.