The program is NOT run through USPS. You may "feel" you are following regulations, but the postal workers apparently don't. Who are you going to complain to?
As a side note, I have bought postcards with the ESE and 80% of sellers are following the regulations. 20% are not and are using photo mailers and bubble envelopes. Like media mail, some seller think they can do whatever they want. Then a few post offices get upset and start dinging everyone.
You may be doing what you are supposed to, but trust me, not everyone is. So you might be getting burned because some post office is ticked about certain programs being abused. Honestly, I don't look for this program to last. There isn't any punishment for abusers of it.
