About Privacy & Security

Privacy and security are most important portions of customer service for any business conducting commerce on the Internet today, and we take these issues very seriously. Below, we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about security.

Mailing Lists
As most internet companies, we maintain an email list of clients to which we send our newsletters and other important communications. On several pages of our website, including the home page, you may subscribe to our newsletter and be placed on this list. We wishe to assure you that this list is not sold nor distributed to others and is soley for our use. In addition, we will respect your request to be removed from this list at any time by emailing us.

What About Cookies?
Cookies are alphanumeric identifiers used by many companies to both retrieve information from your computer and to store information, such as user names and passwords, on your computer. Some view the use of cookies as an invasion of their privacy, even though this expedites sign-on procedures at some websites.

Cookies are not used in any form nor on any page of our website, thereby protecting your privacy.

Is it safe to order on the Internet?
Our online shopping is based on the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption standard. Provided you are using a browser that supports SSL, such as Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or America Online, you'll be able to conduct encrypted transactions without fear of an intermediary obtaining your credit card information. Your order information is then sent to us using encrypted data.

How can I tell if my browser supports SSL?
First, the location bar on your browser will show "https:" in the URL instead of a "http:" address.

Second, your browser will display an icon that lets you know whether you are in a secure environment.

  • In Netscape Navigator, the security key in the lower-left corner of your browser window should be unbroken and have a blue background. Different levels of security are indicated by the use of different keys.
  • In Microsoft Internet Explorer, your browser displays a closed lock in the status bar at the bottom of your computer screen.
  • In America Online, your browser will display a closed lock, as well as a neon blue bar across the top of the window.

When you see the unbroken key or closed lock, you know that you can safely send information to this site over the Internet.

Third, your browser will display an alert box that says "You have requested a secure document," if you have that option turned on.

  • To turn this option on in Netscape Navigator, go to the Options -> Network and Security Preferences."
  • To turn this option on in Internet Explorer, go to Preferences -> Web Browser -> Security.
  • To turn this option on in America Online, go to My AOL -> Preferences -> WWW -> Advanced Settings -> Security.

What if I don't have a secure browser?
No problem! If your browser doesn't support secure transactions, when you've finished shopping and you're ready to check out you could use the offline ordering as below:

  1. Click on Purchase Items.
  2. Fill out the information form.
  3. Use the print function in your browser, usually located in the file menu at upper left, to print the order to paper.
  4. Click on Reset Form to erase your data and then exit.
  5. Then phone or fax your order to us.

What if I'm surfing from behind a firewall?
If you are using a computer at a large corporation or government agency, there is a chance you are surfing the Internet from behind a "firewall," a special level of security implemented at your location. If this is the case, you may get an error message when you attempt to order online. If this happens, use the offline ordering as described above.

Is there a down side to security?
If you've previously visited a site using encryption, you might have noticed a drop in speed on that server. This is due in large part to the encryption and decryption that is taking place for every packet of information sent or received. We've kept this performance drain to a minimum by securing only the order form -- the only place where you enter any personal or credit card information. We didn't create encrypted privacy for any other part of the site because there simply wasn't a need.