I recently received an email from Lowe’s informing me they have changed their “Privacy Policy”. These are the same folks who — every time I purchase something and try to check out — matter-of-factually ask me for my telephone number. I always refuse. Why do they need my telephone number? I mean, chances are good (since I normally use a debit card for my purchases) they already have access to WAY more than just my telephone number.
The Lowe’s Privacy Policy Change email contained a link to their new Policy Page, no more or less frightening than other such policy pages, I’m sure. I spent some time reading through all the gobbledegook, finally taking a breather at their “Your Choices” section, wherein they pacified me a bit into believing I could remove myself from the insanity of online shopping data sharing, because everyone is in cahoots nowadays; Google, Amazon, Facebook — all of the biggies — wantonly swapping, sharing and receiving personal information and shopping habits as if it belonged to them, not you. How many times have I purchased something at Amazon and a day later the item I just bought is plastered on every browser page I visit? Depending on the item, that can be rather embarrassing if you have a visitor who asks to use your computer.
“Hey, Tim, how do you like that hemorrhoids cushion?”
I suspect the Lowe’s Privacy Policies are no different than most, but I gotta tell you, when I got to the part that said: “To be removed from all of Lowe’s official email, telephone and postal mail marketing, choose one of the following options: email customercare@lowes.com and type “REMOVE FROM ALL MARKETING” in the subject line…” I felt a shimmy of hope wiggle through me like a bolt from that first shot of tequila.
I opened my email program and began to reply. That’s when I read a couple more sentences and got down to the: “For any of these options, please include your name, address, phone number and email address in the request, and let us know how you provided us with the information.” part.
You have GOT to be kidding me. Let me get this right. They want MORE private information about me so they can remove my “old” private information from their “Lowe’s official email, telephone and postal mail marketing”? How crazy is THAT! Damn, they also want me to tell them HOW I provided them with “the information” they already have about me. Give me a break.
Little did we know — years back when we rushed like children toward the Google Candy Store and all the other personal information black- holes-from-Hell-blood-sucking-vampire-ish-mega-sites — the can of worms we were uncapping. Did I just say children and can of worms? Silly me. My bad. I really meant lemmings and Pandora’s Box.
LOL! I always leave my hearing aids at home, and then when they ask for the darn phone number, I motion for a piece of paper. They hand it to me expectantly, then I write, “I’m DEAF.. what do you want to call me for?” That usually stops them.
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I gotta remember that one!
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I admit, my “edge” has been a bit dull recently. But I’m getting fired up again and am pleased to discover those words still flowing from my fingertips. Thanks for sticking with me. 🙂
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I have missed you, Tim. Always liked your edge. I order a ring from Concorde Collection and the day after I received it I got a catalogue in the mail that is nothing but jewelry. Too coincidental I think.
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Hey hey, Tim!
So glad to see you again, and also to get my link back to RDJ. I was missing that too!! Don’t be a stranger, please!
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Rich’s blog is better than ever. And — most of all — NO MORE TOPICA! Yay!
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It is amazing how there is no privacy left on the web. Makes me wonder if there ever was any privacy, or if it’s just become more obvious. Glad you’re back again. Where’s the link to RDJ?
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http://rdjour.wordpress.com/ Or you can CLICK on the RDJ Blog picture at the very top on MY blog.
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Thanks!
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Yay!!! You are back!!!
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Thank you. Glad to be back. My much-needed hiatus has filled my brain with all kinds of story glimmerings.
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Sheesh, methinks thou protestest too strongly. When asked to re-affirm what is already out there, merely use throw away info — fight fire with fire.
Besides, what’s the crap below this box?????
RPC
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Well, gee. I dunno. Which crap are you talking about?
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Excellent rant, Tim! I think you covered it… and they sure cover us, in a most alarming way!
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It is frightening. The amount and type(s) of personal information “they” have access to is mind staggering.
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As always you just made my day with this one. We all know there is No priviacy anywhere no matter what we are told.Thanks for the story
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Thanks! You just made my day.
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