Why Does The USPS Ruin Covers Like This?

I like the occasional pictorial postmark offerings and recently sent for the ones depicting Helen Reddy Day in West Hollywood, CA.

Although I dutifully applied 66-cents postage in an envelope with my original request, accompanied by two self addressed stamped envelopes bearing 46-cents postage each for the cancels and a #10 self addressed stamped envelope with another 46-cents postage applied for the safe return of those covers this is what I received today for my $2.04 postage investment:



Now why did the USPS do that? Was it really necessary? I can't blame the local post office as the handstamp is clearly marked on the pictorial cancel as Los Angeles, CA.

Oh well, further proof as to why I rarely send for these things anymore!

they are very inconsistent aren't they?

I don't think everyone there gets the memo.