THE ASTERISK  

Before we get into the "meat" of this saga, It is important to remember that anytime you see an "asterisk" you should head for the hills.  If you haven't vistied our dictionary or browsed your training CD yet I will save you the time because we know your busy and this is important so read these definitions and please read them carefully... and remember them.

ASTERISK..(1) a star shaped symbol (*) used in printing to indicate an omission or reference to a footnote. (2) An asterisk is used to indicate an unattested linguistic form or entry.

UNATTESTED...not attested

ATTESTED...To assure the certaninty, validity of (2) affirm (3) to constitute documentary proof..

Ok, now that you fully understand the "asterisk"  click on these two thumbnails.   

 Front    Back  This ad was mailed to me in August and it will give you an idea of what kind of vipers are waiting for you in your mail box.

If you will notice the front is easy to read espically the 10% portion. It has a certain "charm" to it an the colors blend tastefully. That's where the good news ends.

The first item that should be noted is the ASTERISK. If you will look closely there are three asterisk's...one is on the bottom left hand corner. (double trouble)

The opening paragraph uses the word extending which dosen't fit with the message.

The 10% OFF* has an asterisk as well as the green card. Not good

The wording just above the green card goes against the principals of determining deception and that is the words SHOP NOW.(see your CD)

In the lower left hand corner there are double asterisk's (**).

Now I have to give credit where credit is due. Wal-Mart claims to have the lowest  prices and most will have to agree with that statement which I do (I disagree with their policy on their receipts,see dangerous receipts). This ad claims (right of the green card) "everyday LOW prices Guaranteed** Notice  the two asterisk"s after the word Guaranteed ?

The wording in the bottom paragraph of the ad is a real winner. It states "If you happen to find a lower price on an IDENTICAL stock item at any AREA RETAIL COMPETITOR, AND provide  confirmation of that price , we'll match it and beat their price by an additional 10% . This is an age old gimmick employed by used car salesman.

Their claim to have "everyday low prices" is quite a stretch although they do have many quality products.

To find the "terms" associated to the first asterisk, I found it on the back of the flyer (see back thumnail this page) .

There are troublesome areas and phrases that need attention, like the word "destroy",the phrase's 'single -receipt purchase" and the fact that cash will not warrant a discount. Why Not?

Further down the paragraph "credit approval" is mentioned indicating the customer is subject to additional terms and conditions.

Break down so far: Lowes will give you a 10% discount, their interest rate is 29% leaving you with a bill and a 19% interest to pay back.(that's for starters, it goes up from there)

I wanted to verify rates so I went to their info page and the only way I would be allowed in was to fill in information about me. NO WAY.

Instead I went to see what their privacy policy was all about. You can find it at www.lowes.com  click privacy policy. (there are several listed)(Block buster [on this site] has over 60 paragraphs.)

I will give you a re-cap of what the particular paragraphs mean. This is an ideal page to practice what you learned on your training CD.

The second paragraph stated:This  Privacy Policyapplies only to consumer Lowe's Cedit Card Accounts of GE MoneyBank (GEMB "We or US'). They have thier own.

Paragraph 3,4,5,6,7,8 paraphrased: We will collect private information on you to identify you, such as your address , telephone number, e-mail address, social security number, date of birth, and mothers maiden name and credit information, income and where you work.

We will also check where you have been buying and what you bought and what you are currently buying.

We also have access to credit companies and we will get all the information they have.

Any information that you gave to any retailer/company we will also secure.

We also will check on your computer use through cookies and web becons. We want to know where you have been shopping.

Paragraphs 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 Paraphrased

They will share all of your personal and private information such as social security numbers and account numbers with just about anybody including insurance companies.  If we ever sell, merge, split or dissolve all your information will be sold to the highest bidder.

Now the privacy policy say you can OPT OUT.

Paragraph's 17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25 State:

If you bothered us already don't do it again. You can call us if you like but it won't do any good. We are still going to inundate you with all kinds of promotional information.  Also (quote:"Please understand that, even if you select this choice, we also will continue to share information with joint marketing partners and service providers as described in this policy, and as otherwise permitted by law"  

Paragraph's 25,26,27,28,29 state:

If an employee of any one of the hundred of companies who we gave / sold your information to is caught stealing your personal and private information we will discipline them. Sorry if you were destroyed by Identity theft. We have all your information and we will give you as little as possible if you request it. Rest assured, we will send you a bill.

NOW THE KICKER AND I QUOTE: PARAGRAPH # 29 THE EXAMPLES CONTAINED IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY ARE ILLUSTRATIONS ONLY, AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE INCLUSIVE.

If you don't think we are losing control, you didn't read this article.

Let me give you their web page again;

www.lowes.com  click privacy policy (there are several listed)

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