USPS

This is FAR too good to pass up. Here's my comment to USPS:

Comment Type: Problem

I get the following javascript error message on most pages: Warning, you are using Opera Version /7.02 (Windows 98 The recommended browsers to view this page are:... And it lists Opera 5.0 or better, which I am using (Opera 7.02).

Here is their answer, hopefully automated but still funny if so:

Dear USPS Customer,

Thank you very much for your email.

We have forwarded your comments/requests to the Program Manager for review.

Your question appears to require extensive research and so we ask for your patience. We will keep you informed of any updates as we hear them.

If you have further questions, please contact us again. Thank you for supporting USPS programs.

USPS Internet Customer Care Center

icustomercare@usps.com

Let's dissect, shall we? First, answering the question doesn't require extensive research, just a quick look at your javascript (which I won't do, since I actually have a life and am not going to do free work for the government and besides, I hate obfuscated code). Second (well, finally, really), I don't "support" USPS programs. By that, they either mean I am their unpaid tech support, or that I generously donate money to them in exchange for the ability to support government unions.

Let me spell this out for you, United States Post Office: I pay way too much money to send my mail through you. If you had competition (meaning someone else can deliver to my mailbox), you'd be out of business in 3 months flat. So don't thank me - BEG me to continue paying your obscene costs and putting up with your crappy service (you're a retail business with banking hours!).


Written by Andrew Ittner in misc on Sat 15 March 2003. Tags: business, commentary, complaint, government, technology