It seems squaresend is an anti-solution.
I'd like to see some more solid data on it, but my speculation is that: 1) many users have misconfigurations that result in clicking on a mailto: link not going to the email client they usually use; 2) other users are scared off when clicking on a web link doesn't open a web page like they expect, but instead opens up some other app on their computer; and 3) a final set of users balk at sending an email once they realize it's an email, because it feels too personal and complex (you've got to compose an actual letter, with a "Dear so-and-so").
I don't know if this was clear from the homepage but we're targeting site owners. Many sites use mailto links because they don't want to go through the hassle of setting up a contact form. We're just trying to make that easier to do.
Edit: Thanks for the feedback. We can absolutely show the actual email address and even include a real mailto link inside the widget incase the users prefer that. We'll be implementing that right away.
The customers of site owners (OP) are saying that they'd prefer if the site owners not implement this form.
I think that you're argument about how the mailto link is bad, is bad. You could argue that a mailto link should be added in addition to your product. The classic example is to have the email address lit up with a mailto link and a form just below it.
Feature request: Don't hide the email address in the link, so I can right-click copy it, and add a small "email us with your email client" link at the bottom with an actual mailto. This way, we get the best of both worlds.
Maybe they don't assume that every visitor has an email account or _their_ email account on the computer they are using?
That means, by default, mailto links are broken for anyone who uses web-based email (most people?)
([1] Not specifically relevant, but this post comes to mind for some reason: http://www.metafilter.com/112698/California-Dreamin#4183210 )
Question: why not let the user choose? Show the email address and the form too. Something like: http://healthexpense.com/contact/
All was well for a while. Then I got the reply. It didn't have my original message quoted, and that was when I realized I didn't have any way to get my original message back since it wasn't in my sent mail. Oops.