"Reaction [beta]"
USPS' cheeky ZIP code lookup page 1 Aug 2007
Signal vs. Noise reader Adam Gretencord spotted this "Search by Address" form on the USPS "ZIP Code Lookup" page.
We love how it asks for a Zip Code. If users knew what to type in this field, they wouldn't need to use this page!
Next article: Swiss bathroom iconography
Previous article: "No baby dumping"
4 comments so far
SEO 1 Aug 2007 11:20 AM
HAHA i had to test this one because i though maybe.. just maybe you could type in a Zip and it would return the State and City but no cigar.
The fields with an asterix are required, making the Zip Code box the winner of the stupidest field on a form for 2007 award!
Eric 1 Aug 2007 05:41 PM
A lot of mailers use it to acquire the 9-digit ZIP instead of just 5. With the 9-digit, they can also put in that mystery bar-scan code across the top of the addy - which is intended to help the postal service deliver more quickly (i.e., fewer eyeballs).
Ragdoll 1 Aug 2007 10:01 PM
Yeah, to be fair, if you put in the 5-digit zip code, it WILL return the 9-digit code.
Simon 2 Aug 2007 12:29 PM
Eric, Ragdoll: Thanks for the info (would make sense for the USPS to explain the ZIP field's true purpose, so that people don't think they're taking the mickey ;-)