Famous Gift Catalog Math

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For those who appreciated VerizonMath allow me to follow-up with a more modest ‘Famous Gift Catalog Math’:

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Note 2: this was top-quoted, the quote levels will look odd.

> >>> -------------
> >>>> On Wednesday, November 19, 2008  1:43:00 AM, bill-
> >>>> h********.com@mcgonigle.us wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Question: Re Item 73425 the personalized throw I wanted to
> >>>> verify the
> >>>> dimensions.  One part of the description says 300 square inches
> >>>> one part says
> >>>> 50 x 60.  I assume its just a typo and should be 3000 square
> >>>> inches but wanted
> >>>> to verify its not smaller than I expected.  Also once I get the
> >>>> kit whats the
> >>>> lead time on prodution?
> >>>> Thanks
> >>>> Bill
> >>>> Date of Order: mm/dd/yy
> >>>> Order Number:
> >>>> Item Number:
> >>>> Product Name:
> >>>> How to Contact: email
>>>> Name Bill McGonigle
>>> Email: bill-h********.com@mcgonigle.us
>>
>> Email For Promotions:

> >> On Nov 19, 2008, at 15:25, customerservice@h********.com wrote:
> >>
> >>> Dear Bill McGonigle:
> >>> Thank you for your inquiry regarding item 73425. I see that the
> >>> throw is 300 square feet or 50 inches wide by 60 inches high. Also,
> >>> once you recieve the packet and send it out to the manufacture it
> >>> takes approximately 4-6 weeks for you to receive the finished
> >>> product. If you require further assistance feel free to contact us.
> >>> Thank you!
> >>>
> >>> Best regards,
> >>> R***** *****
> >>> Voice: 1-800-233-**** (8am-mid EST, 7 days a week)
> >>>

> > -------------
> >> On Wednesday, November 19, 2008  3:47:00 PM, bill@mcgonigle.us wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi, R*****,
> >>
> >> Thanks for the reply.  The throw can't be 300 square feet, that's a
> >> third the size of my house.  Is it actually 300 square inches or is
> >> it 3000 square inches, or some other area?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> -Bill
> >>

> On Nov 19, 2008, at 19:51, customerservice@h********.com wrote:
>
> > Dear Bill,
> > Thanks for the inquiry. The throw is 300 square inches, or 50" by
> > 60". Sorry about any inconvenience this causes. If you require
> > further assistance please contact us. Thank you!
> >
> > Best regards,
> > R***** *****
> > Voice: 1-800-233-**** (8am-mid EST, 7 days a week)
> >

-------------
> On Thursday, November 20, 2008  3:17:00 PM, bill@mcgonigle.us wrote:
>
> Hi, R*****,
>
> Yes, this is what the catalog says but it's clearly wrong.  In terms
> of arithmetic, 50 times 60 is 3000, not 300.  I'm questioning whether
> the catalog error is in terms of area or dimension.
>
> Thanks,
> -Bill
> 
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Re: H******** S******** Contact Us Form Responses  (********)
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:26:15 -0500
From: customerservice@h********.com
To: bill@mcgonigle.us

Dear Bill,
Thank you for choosing H******** S********. I'm sorry about all the
confusion. I was incorrect the item is 3000 inches in area. Once again
sorry for the inconvenience if I can further assistant you please
contact me. Thank you!

Best regards,
R***** *****
Voice: 1-800-233-**** (8am-mid EST, 7 days a week)

There’s no need to get anybody in trouble over this, so the personally-identifying information has been scrubbed. I just found the lack of any bounds-checking particularly giggle-worthy.