Is it really only the beginning of the week?

I have some smart readers, and to tell you the truth my brain is dead so I am going to let you decide for me (how’s that for passing the buck =). Here is my problem:

Tuesday I signed up for something called Shelfari this looked like a neat place to keep all my book reviews that I have and will be doing. When I signed up they had a page that said, “these certain individuals have already signed up do you want to send them an invite.” Basically saying, do you want to let them know you have signed up.

Then below that was a list of my WHOLE ENTIRE EMAIL CONTACTS. I hit the word “deselect” for those and then I hit send. Wanting to only send an invite to those who are already on Shelfari.

A email went out to EVERYONE that I have ever emailed in my life. Not to mention, I have tons of my parents contacts also (for the “just in case”). Some people did not even know who just “spammed” them. I take privacy very seriously, and I was madder than a hornet that this happened. Not to mention embarrassed. I have not had to practice my breathing in a long while but let me tell you that is what I had to do I was so angry.

All of you who I heard from were VERY gracious, some of you even signed on and linked to me on Shelfari. I emailed Shelfari, they apologized and this is what they said:

Apologize for the frustration and confusion.

1. We only send emails on behalf of users who have explicitly authorized us to do so. The invite friends page clearly lists your friends in the system and all the email address of friends from your address book who from which you are given the opportunity to invite. If you don’t want to send emails to your friends there is a unselect button above each section. We have actually evaluated numerous designs for this process and have chosen one that we felt was extremely clear explaining the process and what is happening.

I will check to have the follow-up email from you prevented from being sent. We will also double check to make sure we don’t have any bugs in our system.

2. We can easily delete your account if you would like.

Happy Reading,

Like I explained to you at the beginning, I did select the ones who have already signed up on Shelfari, and I hit DESELECT on ALL THE OTHERS. I KNOW I did because they divide it up nicely for you on the web site, and they did de-select, but when I hit send for the first list somehow it sent an email TO EVERYONE IN GOD’S EARTH, or at least in Laurel’s little world. It did not differentiate between the two.

I emailed Shelfari back and explained that and have not heard back from them.

So wise readers, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Yes, I am still mad. But I will admit it is a good site. And for those of you who were “spammed” by me I really really am sorry. I take that stuff very seriously!

For those who lurk you can vote and still lurk =))

You May Also Enjoy:

Unique!

Debbie

Oh, I'm sorry..... I guess I got here too late to vote. :(

I wasn't bothered by the email either....... *blush* I guess I was flattered to be in your address book as well.....*blushing again*

aggiejenn

I wasn't upset, either. I was intrigued about the site since "you" recommended it! And I was surprised to see I was in your contacts, too. :-) No worries!

Terri @ In His Hands

I accidently deleted the six emails they sent me from you. LOL I'm so like you in that I would be upset but it really wasn't a big deal and it was SO obvious you had nothing to do with it.

I'm with Clem feeling happy to be included! :)

Deedra

If you like the site, keep it! I would definitely press for an apology from them though, or maybe cash restitution(haha)...on principle alone!

Blessed Assurances

Don't feel bad. I prefer good reads but if you like shelfair than go for it! but i understand your frustration, that happened to me once and I was so embarrassed but i reconnected with lots of people by this error so I thought it could be thought as divine intervention. :)

have a great day

Barb

First, I think you should stop beating yourself over it. I'm thinking almost all of us have encountered a web site that's set up like this and designed to get to as many people as possible when someone signs up with them.

I didn't feel spammed. I felt frustrated because I thought, oh now, Laurel Wreath wants me to play book club with her and I simply do not have time. LOL

Don't feel bad about it. I didn't vote on your post but if you really like their system for organizing your reading, stay with them and ignore that first little glitch. Chances are it won't happen again.

I thought the explanatory email you sent all us was funny. My very first thought was, "I know her and I'll bet this embarrassed her to death." Pshaw. We didn't get upset, you silly thing. :-) What's to get upset about? I mean, it takes less than one second to delete an email.

ForUsThreeGirls

I wouldn't let them just dismiss it but it really wasn't that big of a deal to me, personally to receive the e-mail. I read it and moved on...no big deal.

If you like it I would keep it. I voted.

Crystal

I wouldn't worry about it at all, these kinds of things happen. Keep the account if you like it!
Thanks for stopping by to encourage me!
Blessings

Darlene

One more thing... Once a very conservative lady from our Christian radio station sent me an ecard. I was so surprised to get one from her since the only contact we had was regarding advertising with them. In essence I was a potential customer.

Anyhoo, I opened the ecard out of sheer curiosity, and it was a virus! I lost everything, and it sent viruses to everyone on my list including customers. That was quite embarassing for both of us!!

Darlene

Argh, my vote just broke a tie. I don't want to be a tie breaker. But I do wonder if this holds true... "To spam is human, to forgive is divine" :)

I'm back from vacation now. Thanks for helping out with the comment moderation.

Betty Jane

The companies today know the importance of privacy and they should be much more accommodating to resolve your situation expeditiously. If you followed their instructions there has to be a way for them to back you out of their system to remove the emails.

Personally, any program that latches on to my personal contacts is a no-no for me. I prefer to have those manual controls for the very reason you are struggling.

Thankfully you have such a great world of understanding people!

Deep breaths! ;o)

Angie

Laurel---I was not upset by it. I have to say, at my office we get some crazy e-mails. That's why I have a strict filter on mine. Everything that isn't something I subscribe to, or someone I know goes in my junk box. Your personal e-mail of apology came in my inbox---the one from Shelfari went to my junk. If you enjoy them stay---it has happened to me before with a friend and "movie deals"---so I guess that may be why I really don't get all bent out of shape about things like this.
However, once something in my computer at the office tagged everyone in my address book with a bug. I called everyone I could and said "don't open it".
So---thank you for your note. I appreciated it. Glad to be in your address book! I consider myself blessed to be your bloggin' friend!
May the rest of your week be BLESSED!!!

Heidi @ GGIP

Hi Laurel, I got your emails today and I thought it was very nice of you to write and explain.

I would say that if you really want to use the service, you should try it! Because you might as well benefit from it if they already inconvenienced you. But they obviously don't have all their ducks in a row, so maybe you could check out their competition? ;)

Jenny

Hi Laurel-

I can understand your frustration. I often feel embarrassed if I accidentally send something out that I didn't intend to have sent. I can't even imagine something going out to everyone, even your parent's friends. On the other hand, we all know how incidious those spam companies can be so I'm sure everyone understands. I would say that if you like the site and TRUST it then continue to use it. But if you don't trust it...well then...

I hope your week gets better!

Jenny

G's Cottage

Laurel, my opinion is that it might be too early to make a once and for all decision. It sounds like a nice place and we've all have had email go on autopilot at least once.

Clemntine

I was just so tickled to know I was in your address book...imagine! Me!

I wouldn't let them off the hook though. I would hold their feet to the fire and insist on some sort of an apology and restitution. But that's just me. I would have made a convincing Pharisee...

Hope your week improves.

Heather

I wondered why someone I only vaguely knew (a lady from Writer Interrupted)would send me an invite--but I signed up because I wondered if it was better or worse than Goodreads. Just for the record, I like Goodreads much better. I am deleting the account I got on Shelfari and sticking with Goodreads. The good news is that since I don't use an online email account they couldn't access my email address book. Whew--that would have been bad--I have a lot of business emails in there.