I went by a post office today to get a change of address form. They appeared to be out of them, but there was a sign saying I could change it online at usps.gov. So I went home and just tried that. I plugged in all the informtaion and verified it, then submitted it.
Up pops a notice:
I agree that I will be charged a $1.00 credit card processing fee upon successful completion of my change of address request. I also will be able to print coupons for moving-related offers in my neighborhood.
WHAT???? Had they not been out of the paper form, I could have done this for free. I could have even had the coupons delivered for free. Instead, I save THEM the data entry costs, and they charge me for the privilege? Amazing, such a counter-productive customer- (citizen-) unfriendly policy.
I refuse to part with my money so pointlessly, so now I'm annoyed that I have to shlep to the post office again to get the paper to do this for free. Boy, that whole privatization of the U.S. Postal Service has really paid off. Things are run so much better now...
Comments (3)
Not to defend these guys in any way, but here's the explanation for the questionable charge (from USPS's help page):
Q: Is there a charge to change my address online?
A: When you enter your credit card number and billing address, we electronically verify that information with the bank that issued your credit card. This is done through Verisign, a USPS contractor which is able to verify that the address you provide matches the address record for your credit card. The processing fee pays for this verification service, which helps us verify your address and to provide a secure online transaction.
If you prefer not to pay the $1.00 processing fee, you will be offered the option to print and mail a Change of Address Order.
Posted by Mark | May 10, 2004 6:52 PM
Posted on May 10, 2004 18:52
I suppose that if they didn't do this, then people would rampantly change addresses as pranks.
Posted by Mark | May 10, 2004 6:53 PM
Posted on May 10, 2004 18:53
Well there you go ruining my tantrum with a plausible explanation...
Posted by Cathy | May 10, 2004 8:24 PM
Posted on May 10, 2004 20:24