Send flowers get strangers personal info
Written: May 24 '02 (Updated May 25 '02)
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I used 1-800 Flowers online because of an airline frequent flyer promotion. I needed some extra miles and this provided a great way to do it and send flowers.
The website was easy to navigate and the selection seemed fairly large. You search by category, such as get well, love, holidays, etc. Many floral arrangements overlap multiple categories. A picture shows what each item looks like, and is small enough to load quickly over a modem. The price is listed and if optional sizes are available they are presented to you as a radio button to click.
When you pick a flower (balloons, stuffed animals, etc.) you must check out and pick a card to be included with your order. You can enter text to appear in your card plus a signature. Standard credit card and shipping information was presented and easy to submit my order. The problem wasn't with the actual website, but what happened after I clicked send.
My flowers arrived, but failed to say who they were from. This small detail is very important if these flowers were an attempt to apologize to a loved one, or are sent to a new love. Imagine the problem when she receives flowers and is unsure who sent them.
I contacted customer service through e-mail regarding this and in two days was notified that due to this error I would get a $13 gift certificate. I don't understand how they came to this price as the cost of this screw-up, but was happy to get it.
The disturbing part was the e-mail saying I would get a free gift certificate included someone else's customer service letter! That letter included the senders personal info including phone number, home address, e-mail, and credit card number. This letter also included the delivery name, address, e-mail, and phone number! I was shocked to think that my info might have been sent to some stranger.
I sent another letter to customer service to complain about this dangerous security lapse. I did lay it on fairly thick in hopes of another free gift certificate. The result was an e-mail telling me my personal info is safe, and then went on to explain their secure internet site. The letter was addressed as though I was a child, and unaware of the "internet" and how it worked. (It also ignored the obvious fact that this info wasn't secure and I had the proof.)
I can not recommend this site because of the risk that your personal information, including credit card number, might be sent to some random stranger. This only happened when I contacted customer service, but if they are cutting and pasting personal info into e-mail I can only imagine the idiots they have who maintain their credit card database. I notified the people whose information I was given to warn them. Many other people may not be as nice, or law abiding! Use this site at your own risk!
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
bonoriffic
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Location: IL
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 2 members
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