I find it an annoyance when a web form asks to “verify” my email address such as the form at
http://www.raleys.com/apps/surveys/WebRoot/home.jsp?linksource=bee

Raley’s takes this annoyance one step further, by informing you that they will get the link in the email, so you MUST supply a valid email address to get the link if they want to help them out. It is not a convenience to customers, since a form field can be auto populated in most browsers these days. I am sure I am like many customers that find this annoying. Those who do not use auto populate are used to typing out all the form field information as they chose this security setting themselves. I am sure there are a few folks who do not know their email address well, they will figure that out. I would think most people have their correct address in that field. Verification should be used for password text boxes with the security feature enabled so that you only see asterisks, not for an email address.

In this case, I think if you take an idealist approach and want a one-size fits all answer, it won’t work.

If I’m buying a refurbished printer, most likely from a small or very small company, then I see the need for them to keep their prices low and avoid the 15 minute resource drain of deleting emails every day. Especially if I’m getting a good price, then I personally sympathize.

That being said, if something like this is too much a bother, than maybe you just aren’t the kind of customer they can ‘afford.’ But still a good question to put out there.