Q. What is a cookie?
A. A cookie is a very tiny piece of text we're asking permission to place on your computer's hard drive. If you agree, then your browser adds the text in a small file. Its purpose is to help us distinguish you from the thousands of other customers that use our Web site each day.
Q. So why do you use cookies?
A. Cookies help us track visitors' use of our Web sites, such as what customers want to see and what they never read. That information allows us to better focus our sites, to concentrate on information people are reading and the products that interest them.
We also use cookies to keep track of what services and solutions you have taken and also the shopping cart as you move around our Web site. And if you decide to place an order with us and proceed through checkout, a cookie helps us step you through the checkout process.
Q .Can't cookies be used to invade my privacy?
A. We strongly believe in protecting the privacy and security of our customers. We never store any sensitive information in any cookie. The only information we store is a unique user ID - an alphanumeric string that contains no actual information about you. At no time do we store your e-mail address, physical address, credit card number, or name in any cookie.
Likewise, we do not even store your credit card number within our internal Web site systems. We request that you supply us with your credit card number each time you wish to complete a transaction. While some Web sites store your card number for your convenience, we feel it provides you greater security to purge this information when each transaction is complete.
Q. Don't cookies take up a lot of my hard disk space?
A. A cookie is just a small text file, and takes up very little disk space. Cookies usually range in size from 60 to 300 bytes. Our cookies average about 100 bytes. Even if you surf the Internet very extensively and collect many cookies, they usually only occupy a very small fraction of your total available disk space.
Q. I still don't like the idea of cookies and I really don't want them. Now what?
A. We understand and respect your preferences. You can still take advantage of most of the features and benefits of our Web site. However, you will not be able to place items in your shopping cart, proceed through checkout and place an order. The good news is that we are still available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you by telephone. One of our helpful Account Executives will be pleased to speak with you if you have any questions or wish to place an order.