Legal Notices

Disclaimer
The American Purchasing Society does not warrant, assume any legal liability, or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or service appearing or described on this server.

Privacy Policy
This privacy statement discloses the privacy practices for http://www.american-purchasing.com.

 Information Collection and Use
The American Purchasing Society is the sole owner of the information collected at several points on this site from users of the site. Use of the information is for the sole purpose to promote the purchasing profession, improve membership benefits, and to encourage business activity. No personal information will be disclosed to third parties other than business purposes. From time to time lists of names, titles, and addresses may be rented to organizations that wish to market their new or existing products or services.  

Registration
Though no registration is required to use this web site, registration may be required to access specific pages.

Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the userís hard drive containing information about the user. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on our site. Once the user closes their browser, the cookie simply terminates. For instance, by setting a cookie on our site, the user would not have to log in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. If a user rejects the cookie, they may still use our site. The only drawback to this is that the user will be limited in some areas of the site. For example, the user will not be able to participate in any contests or drawings that may take place. Cookies can also make it possible to track and target the interests of users to enhance the siteís usefulness. Some business partners or advertisers may use cookies. However, the American Purchasing Society has no access or control over those cookies.

Log Files
IP addresses are used to analyze trends, administer the site, track userís movement, and gather broad demographic information, but are not linked to personally identifiable information.

Sharing
Aggregated demographic information will be shared with partners and advertisers. No personal information is included that can identify any individual person. An outside shipping company is used for orders and a credit card processing company is used to bill users for goods and services. These companies do not retain, share, store or use personally identifiable information for any secondary purposes. The American Purchasing Society may partner with other parties to provide specific services. When the users signs up for these services, the names or other contact information that is necessary for the third party to provide these services will be shared. These parties are not allowed to use personally identifiable information except for the purpose of providing these services.

Links
This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that the American Purchasing Society is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites.

Membership, Publications, and Products of the Society
Contact information such as name and e-mail address are requested and recorded when a user wishes to become a member, subscribe to one of the Societyís publications, purchase a product or service, or request information from the Society.

Surveys & Contests
From time-to-time information is requested for surveys or contests. Participation is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to respond. Contact information is used to notify winners and award prizes. Survey information is used to conduct research, report business practices, or determine what users and members want.

Tell-A-Friend
A user may use the Societyís referral service by submitting the name and e-mail of friend or colleague so they will be sent an automatic one-time invitation to become a member or an invitation to simply be a user of the American Purchasing Society site.

Security
This website takes every precaution to protect a userís information. Sensitive information submitted to the site is protected both online and off-line. When the registration or order form asks for sensitive information (such as a credit card number), that information is encrypted and is protected with the best encryption software in the industry ñ SSL (Secured Socket Layers). While on a secure page, such as the order form, the lock icon on the bottom of the Web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer becomes locked, as opposed to unlocked, or open, when the users are just "surfing."

Special Offers
The Society sends new members a welcoming e-mail message to verify the selected password and user name. Also, established members and users will occasionally receive information on special products and services offered. Users may opt-out of receiving these offers by clicking on the appropriate space provided on order forms.

Site and Service Updates
The Society also sends users site and service announcement updates. Members are not able to un-subscribe to service announcements, which contain important information about the service. The Society communicates with the user to provide requested services and regarding issues relating to the userís account via e-mail, fax, or telephone.

Correction/Updating Personal Information
If a userís personally identifiable information changes (such as title, company affiliation, address, or telephone number), or if a user no longer desires membership or is no longer interested in using this site the Society should be notified by e-mail or by notifying Member Support.

Choice/Opt-out
Users of this site are given the opportunity to ìopt-outî of having their information used for purposes not directly related to the site at the point where information is requested. For example, the order form has an ìopt-outî mechanism so users who buy a product through this site, but donít want any marketing material, can keep their e-mail address off of our list. Users of this site are always notified when their information is being collected by any outside parties. This is done so users can make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed or not with services that require an outside party.

Logos
Use of any of the logos of the American Purchasing Society (the Society), is not permissible except by members, sponsors, or advertisers. Use of the certification logos is only permissible by those who hold valid certification from the Society. Use of the Societyís logos does not indicate sponsorship, recommendation, or approval of any individual, organization, or product by the Society.

Notification of Changes
Any changes to this privacy policy will be posted on the siteís homepage.