I actually really like this idea. It’s genuinely convenient. The worst part of moving is updating your address everywhere, and even after doing it, you still worry something got missed. But after reading the details, I’m a bit hesitant. The idea of the code staying the same even if the address changes sounds great. But if it still relies on people manually updating their info, isn’t it pretty easy for things to go wrong if someone forgets?
Since years I have yearned that USPS lets you rent a PO Box. Maybe divide the country in 5 to 10 parts, and allocate a special zip code for these. The po box is nothing but just a forwarding address. You as a user control its final destination in usps.com account. It is like a link shortener.
Somebody sends a letter to that address. Regular mail system forwards it to machines. There, machines stick a yellow or some color strip on it with its actual destination, then it comes to you. You could move and simply update usps.com address.
I think in some ways this is better, because I trust the USPS to not actually reveal the true address behind the PO Box. So you can still use the "link shortener" but behind a privacy wall.
Sure, maybe you can't use this for taxi rides, but that's a small price to pay.
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> isn’t it pretty easy for things to go wrong if someone forgets?
What do you imagine going wrong? In my mind, if I had a digital address code, one of the first things I would do after moving would be to update it. Plus, the article alludes to functionality that displays (+ confirms) the physical address anyway…
Yeah, you're probably right. Maybe I'm just overthinking it. It's just that when people get busy, even the simplest things can slip through. If the system had some kind of reminder or could sync automatically, that would make it perfect.
then your mail will be sent to the wrong place. just like if you forgot to update your default shipping address on amazon, after moving, for example.
the government can’t save you from being forgetful. :) But it CAN make the process easier. This looks great and as an american i’m jealous! A single place to update my address would be amazing.
"isn’t it pretty easy for things to go wrong if someone forgets?"
I believe it would be translate to your actual real address if you order package at ordering process