Email problem: double addresses

[jackfeuer]

I am using the email (Send Mail) script step attached to a button. Occasionally, the resulting email address is a "double" address, like this:

<[email protected]><[email protected]>

This happens irregularly. Almost always (but not every time) the problem occurs when the person's email address contains two dots as in the example above -- that is, it contains the usual dot in (dot)com plus one other. In the example above, the person's name is john(dot)smith. Or, in another case, the extra dot occurs in the company name, like this: [email protected].

Rarely, this behavior also happens with a name that doesn't have a double-dot, and, equally rarely, a name that *does* have a double-dot works just fine.

My original script contains some validation and uses a script parameter to supply the address. However, I've cut back to just the Send Mail step using the field directly, without a script paramenter, for testing. The same behavior occurs.

I don't see anyone else reporting this problem in the forum. Has anyone else seen it. Am I doing something wrong?

[Fitch]

I have this problem now and then, and I've seen it reported before, but I haven't found any solution yet. Let me know if you find one!

The double-dot theory is interesting, but I have doubts that it holds up in my experience. I'll keep an eye on that.

My suspicion is that it has something to do with whether you've sent or received email from that address in Mail.

A frustrating annoyance for sure.

[Reed]

I've seen this too... Since I only have one mac in my network (my computer) I treated myself to the smtpit plugin. I'd never go back to using plain old send mail.

Two other solutions:

1. If you have office, use Entourage to send the emails.

2. If the emails are simple, just use the open URL script step. The addresses look fine there.

I've sent out plenty of the double address messages... they still work just fine (people don't get duped messages) they just look dumb.

[jackfeuer]

My requirement is simple, so I'm trying Reed's suggestion: substituting the Open URL step for the Send Mail step.

After a handful of tests on the same records that were previously giving me errors, this seems to be working.

Of course, the original problem didn't occur with perfect predictability, so it will be a while before I know for sure if it's gone.

Thanks for the suggestion, Reed. And Fitch, thanks for the reassurance that I was at least not sending double emails to my clients.