B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
| Proflowers Spams; Hallmark Gives Out Your Data
I had the misfortune to order flowers from both Proflowers and Hallmark recently.
I use unique e-mail addresses in such situations.
And as usual, while ordering I explicitly opt-out of any mailing list options.
Within a day of the Proflowers order I began receiving spam from a different company, addressed to my unique Proflowers-specific address, using my NAME in the subject line. (It turns out they have the same parent company.)
According to some quick searches, Proflowers actually used to be a considerably worse spammer.
Hallmark, on the other hand, handed my e-mail address over to FedEx without permission; I received a delivery confirmation directly from FedEx. (I hadn't asked for this, nor do I have any account with FedEx, nor had I attempted to track the package.)
That's the first time I've seen a company hand an e-mail address to a shipper (and certainly not without notifying the customer). FedEx now has my e-mail address.
To make matters worse, although Hallmark REQUIRES an e-mail address (but not a password) when placing a web order, they do NOT automatically set up your account there, so there seems to be NO WAY under their existing privacy policy for me to opt out of this or other Hallmark-derived mailings -- because I can't log in to the site! I can't easily contact them to correct this -- their ONLY other contact is a snail mail P.O. box.
»https://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stor···Id=10051
Ironically, I used FatWallet to access both of these services and FatWallet, a free web site that pays ME, has yet to spam me, sell my address to anyone, or behave in an unethical fashion.
All old news, I realize, but a rather sad assessment of the current mainstream corporate privacy landscape, in miniature.
-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function |
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theyipper
join:2001-01-18
Oakland, CA
| said by B  :Ironically, I used FatWallet to access both of these services and FatWallet, a free web site that pays ME, has yet to spam me, sell my address to anyone, or behave in an unethical fashion. That's because, whether you know it or not, accessing services through FW helps support FW. I guess you haven't read their privacy policy: »www.fatwallet.com/privacy.php
Other companies don't follow "ethical" guidelines because, well, it's quicker and easier to make money. |
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B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
| said by theyipper :said by B :Ironically, I used FatWallet to access both of these services and FatWallet, a free web site that pays ME, has yet to spam me, sell my address to anyone, or behave in an unethical fashion. That's because, whether you know it or not, accessing services through FW helps support FW. Of course I know that it benefits them -- they split the take with me. That's the whole point of their shopping program.
However, I'm unclear as to why you cite their privacy policy. That's one of the shortest, most reasonable, and least encumbering privacy policies I've ever seen. And it doesn't seem to say a word about how "accessing services through FW helps support FW"...?
-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function |
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johnpro
join:2005-03-11
Brisbane Oz | reply to B
Within a day of the Proflowers order I began receiving spam from a different company, ........
************
How were your flowers?
jp |
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B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
|
I don't really know; never saw them. The Hallmark ones were reported to be "little", but in a gigantic box.
I think it's best to get to know actual local florists in your destination areas, and just call them directly. This FTD/Proflowers/800Flowers/Hallmark nonsense is for the birds.
-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function |
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TheWiseGuy
Dog And Butterfly
Premium,MVM
join:2002-07-04
Yonkers, NY
| reply to johnpro
The "Proflowers" we received were gorgeous and they had booties filled with water on each stem. Got E-mail advertisements from them and their other companies after sending flowers through them. I haven't tried the link within that supposed to opt you out. I would think I checked don't send me stuff because I normally do not want anything.
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Dog and Butterfly |
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SnowyOne
Premium
join:2003-04-05
Kailua, HI
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·Clearwire Wireless
| reply to B
A privacy policy based on 'notification'
From »https://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stor···Id=10051
"Hallmark and its family of companies value you and respect your privacy."
"Aside from the purposes described above, we will never share your personal information with any other third parties unless we have your permission
or you have been notified"
Looks like as long as Hallmark gives you the courtesy of a "heads up" you have no control over who, why, when & where they can share, trade or sell your 'stuff'.
I haven't seen one of their 'notification' letters, but I imagine it would go along these lines
"Thank You for sharing your 'stuff' with us. We believe in sharing (your) 'stuff' too. Not to mention the respect we have for the value of trading & selling your 'stuff'.." |
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RJ44
join:2001-10-19
Nashville, TN
| reply to B
Re: Proflowers Spams; Hallmark Gives Out Your Data
said by B :I don't really know; never saw them. The Hallmark ones were reported to be "little", but in a gigantic box. I think it's best to get to know actual local florists in your destination areas, and just call them directly. This FTD/Proflowers/800Flowers/Hallmark nonsense is for the birds. -- B I'll second that. Privacy issues aside, I'm about 3 for 3 in unhappy experiences using 800Flowers or Hallmark to send to another state. 4 for 4 if you count the dead plant someone sent me. Or perhaps they meant for it to be dead...hmmm... |
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MgKnight
Cancer Survivor
Premium,MVM
join:2000-08-04
East Freetown, MA
clubs:  
1 edit | reply to B
Direct contact with a local florist always works out better. A simple Google search for florist along with the name of the city will get the information you want. I always call them direct to order, and unfortunately, if they should happen to ask, I do not have an email address. I have yet to have anyone complain about whatever they received. The florists like it that way because they don't have to split the sale with anyone else...
EDIT: Almost forgot, I have even had a couple of them send me Christmas cards with pocket calendars inside, obviously also imprinted with their contact information. |
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DataDoc
My avatar looks like me, if I was 2D.
Premium
join:2000-05-14
Greenville, NC | reply to B
So, have you complained to Proflowers or Hallmark?
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Your character is your destiny. |
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B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
| reply to SnowyOne
Re: A privacy policy based on 'notification'
said by SnowyOne :From » https:// www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stor···Id=10051"Hallmark and its family of companies value you and respect your privacy." "Aside from the purposes described above, we will never share your personal information with any other third parties unless we have your permission or you have been notified" That's some particularly insidious weaselry on their part.
The sentence is preceded by "We may disclose information to companies that work with us and assist us with providing services to you. In addition, Hallmark Gold Crown retailers receive information to communicate with you and improve your shopping experience."
So the only "permission or notification" they're promising is when they sell your soul to "other third parties", after they sell you out to all the original third parties they've already mentioned! (Companies that "work with" them, companies that "assist them", and hundreds of additional retailers!)
-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function |
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Bobby_Peru
Premium
join:2003-06-16
| That policy is pretty low. Of course in these cases, the email address is now also directly linked to one or more names, addresses, possibly phone numbers, and probably a credit card (along with any permanent cookies...).
I agree with the previous folks on dealing directly with the shop(s) that will actually be making and delivering the goodies, especially were repeat floral needs exist.
said by B:
insidious weaselry Ruined three pages of a draft...
said by TheWiseGuy:
The "Proflowers" we received were gorgeous and they had booties..... So B and TheWiseGuy , just what all is up betwixt you two, huh huh....  
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**~~Infected/Hijacked? FAQ~~~Protect/Secure Your Box/Data FAQ~~~Security Forum FAQs~~** |
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theyipper
join:2001-01-18
Oakland, CA
1 edit | reply to B
Re: Proflowers Spams; Hallmark Gives Out Your Data
said by B :However, I'm unclear as to why you cite their privacy policy. That's one of the shortest, most reasonable, and least encumbering privacy policies I've ever seen. And it doesn't seem to say a word about how "accessing services through FW helps support FW"...? -- B From this alone "FatWallet may use or disclose personally identifiable information under certain circumstances, including but not limited to". There is no definition of a "certain circumstance". Stating that allows them to use your info for anything. The stuff after "limited to" is a common distrationary tactic. |
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