| "Hey, GILLETTE: WE WON'T BUY PRODUCTS WITH SPY CHIPS!" |
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Consumers have plenty to say to Gillette about its RFID spy chips. Add your message by writing: Dick_Cantwell@gillette.comBack to the original feedback page Dear Mr. Cantwell, I hereby swear to no longer purchase the following: Gillette Braun Duracell Oral-B Right Guard Soft and Dry Dry Ideas May your company perish for attempting to invade my privacy! James B. B.... Dear Cantwell, I do not know how well versed you are in Gillette's
history. This boycott was instituted in protest at the callous treatment of employees made redundant by the closure of Gillette's Malaga factory several years ago. Whilst RFID tagging of your products may not yet be in place here in Andalucia I can assure you that the mere threat is sufficient to re-kindle a FULL SCALE boycott. The residual hatred of the Gillette name, particularly in Malaga, and not just by the families of ex-employees, is awesome. I suggest you get off that backside that your cardboard "Yes Men" doubtless assiduously crowd around to kiss and get out into that real world and meet real people and take note of opinions that really count. Of course you will not, because with the severance package
you have, you no doubt think you are fire proof and don´t give a damn.
Alfred E. P.... To Whom it May Concern, I am in communication with you to express my deepest concerns with regards to the RFID Tags now associated with your products on the market. Sir(s), we have supported your Company as far back as my
family can remember because one of your plants is right here. Because we
Thank you for you time on the above. "god forbid we should ever be twenty years without such
a rebellion . . . the tree of Liberty must be refreshed from
time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. it is
it's natural manure." Thomas Jefferson I've been using Gillette Good News Razors for as long as I remember. I buy them in large quantity packages, which makes them inexpensive enough to dispose of after a few uses. I've tried out several different brands of batteries, and came to the (completely unscientific) conclusion that Duracell lasted the longest. I've always bought them over other brands, even when they were more expensive than other batteries. I've never given much thought to these purchases - it's just two items that I have a brand loyalty to. Or, should I say, *used* to have a brand loyalty to. As of today, I'm not only avoiding those products, but warning friends and family to avoid them as well. Now, I'm not shy, and will be happy to send you a photo of my ugly mug on request. But it will be a photo I know has been taken, not one that was snapped in the supermarket when I picked up one of your products. (It's a nice photo, suitable for framing. My friend has one in his basement to scare away the mice.) I don't want you taking my picture unannounced, or suspecting me of shoplifting if I change my mind and set down your product elsewhere in the store. Nor do I want your products advertising their presence in a travel bag as a go about my business. The simplest way to avoid that is to avoid your products. Too bad, because I've bought so many, for so long, that it's second nature to pick them up instead of other brands. (Isn't that what marketers dream of?) Of course, the photo trick is only one of my objections to RFID. I find the whole idea of them repulsive, and will avoid any products that use them. If they were truly just radio bar codes, with the same number on every item of the same size and type, I could tolerate them. But tracking each individual item, and associating it a particular user, has frightening implications. I don't care that much about toothbrushes, but I have bought Oral B as much as I've bought other brands. I see you're behind them as well. Bye bye, Oral B. I have a little web site which I've been using for the past several years to spew forth my opinions in allegedly humorous articles, and am considering doing an article on this technology. It's a minor site - although it receives high ranking in Google on many of the subjects I discuss there, it only gets about 25,000 unique visitors a month. I like my articles to be accurate, so any information that you can send along will be appreciated. A form letter (or silence) in response to this e-mail will be considered an invitation to publish the article with nothing more than the information I've already gathered from other sources. Please be advised that anything you send, form letter or otherwise, may be quoted in the article, or reproduced in it's entirely on the site. If you decide to change your mind and back away from this intrusive, privacy stealing project, please drop me a line and I will go back to using your fine products. Until then, I remain, A former customer, 11 August 2003 Dick Cantwell RE: Spy Chip Technology Mr. Cantwell: I will boycott ALL Gillette products until Gillette Corp. renounces use of this privacy-invading technology. Paul W.... Dear Mr. Cantwell, I was a lifetime customer of Gillette until today. I think that your use of RF Enabled shelves amounts to spying on me. The fact that you attempted to do this is in secret does, I think, suggest that you are fully aware of what will happen if consumers find out before it is too late. Thanks to Caspian, I am fully aware of what you are doing and I shall not buy any Gillette products until I see a public announcement that your company has ceased use of RFID and RF enabled shelves. Best Wishes, Perhaps more than boycotting Gillette can be done. If a store is using RFID, consumers should take items off the shelf and put them back thousands of times in a short period, essentially spamming their system. Barry Mr. Cantwell, I am writing to let you know how disappointed I am that Gillette is going to be using RFID chips in its products. I have enjoyed using Gillette razors for at least the past five years. However, if your company insists on tracking customers, and taking pictures of them, then I will have to support a different company. thank you, Dear Sir, I don't know if you realize the can of worms you are opening up with these spy tactics. I do value my privacy and believe in what our forefathers fought for. In case you haven't read history or the constitution, invasion of privacy is a serious issue and according to the Constitution, against the law. These little spy chips if put in our clothing, shoes, tires, pills, etc., will be worse than the Secret Police and anyone can be set up for a fall. Sincerely, Dear Mr. Cantwell - I wanted to take this opportunity to express my dissatisfaction with Gillette over the RFID Surveillance Chips that are now in your products. I am a very conscientious shopper and will often pick up
a product to study it (read the back label, for example) before making the
decision to purchase the product. As a result, I will no longer even consider purchasing Gillette products. I have little doubt that as America learns what you are doing, most will follow suit. Are you listening? Tonya H.... Monday, August 11, 2003 10:51 AM To: 'dick_cantwell@gillette.com' Subject: Spy Chips The RFID Technology is unacceptable to the american public, and anyone who is informed... This is to register my complaint Margaret A.... Dear Mr. Cantwell, I won't tolerate being spied on by your products.
Carrie P.... Dear Mr. Cantwell, I was very upset when I heard about your putting spy chips in your products. Treating customers as though they are nothing but potential thieves certainly has never been the American way. It's sad to see how far down we have come. My family of 10 uses a lot of Gillette products, but no more. I will alert all of my relatives, friends and neighbors to this invasion of their privacy. My plan will also include talking to the stores I shop at most often and let them know of my displeasure if they are carrying any of your products with chips in them. I will warn them that I will alert their customers to their collusion in this evil scheme. Please advise me at your earliest convenience if your company plans to continue in this offensive endeavor or if we can expect as your consumers to be treated with dignity and respect. Sincerely, Paul and Debbie O'H...and family
From: Rob W.... To: dick_cantwell@gillette.com Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 2:27 PM Subject: RFID I've just heard that a boycott is underway against your
use of RFID technology and cameras to identify shoplifters. As an
HONEST consumer of Gillette products I must protest. The idea of being
wrongly accused of taking something I didn't pay for makes me wonder about
your attitude toward your customer. I'm sure I would You're going to photograph me and track me with some wireless dohicky over a RAZOR!? No. God bless you for your continued efforts, Katherine. This email by me to Mr. Cantwell was BCC'd to many individuals.
I encourage every one of you to forward this to others, and to make your
own personal contact to Gillette. Most certainly, the question once asked is nearly always answerable, "Yes." But unfortunately the bully is also usually very big, and so often gets his way...for the day or the moment, at least. In today's society, with all the outcries of the public's expectations of privacy: governmentally sponsored no-call lists, massive crusades against spam and junk email, legislation introduced and debated, congressional hearings, privacy organizations like junkbusters.com and CASPIAN, even citizens' refusal to answer the U.S. Census-, what will it take for marketers to get the message? Just how "stupid" does the bully have to be to not understand the impacts of his actions, and the expectation of his own society that his behavior is wrong? In this case Gillette, the bully, may have his way, for the moment. But in the end be assured that your actions are going to backfire and hurt, either in ways that I and others would hope, or in ways that you cannot yet imagine even yourself. If this boycott is not effective and decisive, then I urge you to think ahead to the ramifications on society at large. *Your* society, Mr. Cantwell. Just as others have later decried their behaviors for having not foreseen the negative impacts of their actions, it is inevitable that you will, also, considering the implications of your RFID endeavors. If history tells accurate stories, Mr. Cantwell, for your own emotional sake you might pray not to be granted time to see your personal impacts upon your own descendants. I have been watching this story unfold for several months. Be advised that as of this date at a minimum my own family and my companies, along with as many of my 80 employees, friends as family as I can enlist, will cease to purchase, or risk even to pick up at grocery shelves, any product with the following brand names:
I strongly urge you to reverse your current stance, to renounce such tracking technology publicly, and become a vocal leader in the reversal of a trend of the destruction of personal privacy. You have an opportunity therein that has the potential to equal or exceed the gains (when coupled with associated losses) that could be had from pursuing this horrendous path of personal abuse. Sincerely, Dear Dick Cantwell: I have sent this message below to my readers which number over 500,000 and growing. I now inform you that Gillette is under boycott by myself, my congregation, my ministry, and my readers. Tomorrow I will urge every one to sell their Gillette stocks. The next day I will contact all the stores that sell Gillette products in my area to let them know that Gillette products are now under boycott. My Readers will do the same in their area in which they live at around the world. This same e-mail will be sent Bcc to my readers. The Reverend James E. S.... Dear Mr. Cantwell, I have been a very satisfied user of Gillette products for over 30 years. It was with great surprise that I discovered my picture could be taken whenever purchasing something as simple as razor blades. As a result, I have discontinued purchasing Gillette products until RFID devices and cameras are no longer being used to track how I spend my disposable income. Sincerely, Gillette products are no longer on my shopping list!
Dear Sir, I will honor the boycott of all products of the Gillette company(ies) and will do my best to spread the word among family, business associates, and friends. This will continue until indisputable evidence certifies that Gillette has abandoned its invasive, dishonorable surveillance/tracking program(s) utilizing RFID's. Sincerely, PS...I will be returning the 2 extra packages I just purchased.
Mr. Dick Cantwell, I am writing this email to let you know how upset I am with this spy chip that your company has recently purchased for your products. I think that such a practice of putting these chips into your products is an absolutely unconstitutional act that infringes on the consumers right to privacy. How much farther will your company go with this technology? I have been a great supporter of the following products and more:
Disgusted, Mr. Cantwell, This family of four won't be purchasing your products anymore after finding that you are planting the RFID chips in your packaging. You might think you're a genius for thinking this one up, but, the public doesn't have to buy it. This means that our family will avoid buying Oral B dental products and all razor products that you produce. What a shame - we really liked your toothbrushes. However, we'll tell our dentist why we are boycotting your products. We prefer to have our pictures taken ONLY with our consent. Thanks for nothing, Dear Mr. Cantwell, As a long time Gillette customer I feel I should let you know that I'm greatly disturbed by the road which your company has taken in regards to your customers and how you view them. I have no desire to be photographed simply because I am buying your razor blades. I have no desire to be tracked with an RFID chip either. I buy a large amount of razor blades on a regular basis and I feel that the Mach 3 is an incredible product. In fact it works better than any other razor I've ever used thus far. However I feel I have no choice but to switch to a competitor's products until your company changes the way it operates. From now on I will buy Edge gel and Schick disposable triple blade razors. The next time I need batteries I will not buy Duracell either, even though I've always felt they were the best. I hate to do this because I certainly like your products but the way you treat your customers is reprehensible. Perhaps privacy doesn't mean much to you, and these days there certainly isn't as much as their used to be, but it does mean something to me. I sincerely hope you change your mind about RFID technology and your "smart" shelves. Paco G.... I just learned that Gillette owns the company which makes Braun electric razors................I'm leaving now to return it to the store, and will inform the manager of that store that I'm returning it because it's made by a Gillette owned company. From: Steve W.... Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 3:05 PM Subject: Don't spy on me!! Mr. Cantwell, It seems Gillette has decided the best way to deal with their customers is to make the worst assumptions possible about their actions. If I pick up a pack of Gillette razor blades then decide to lay them down elsewhere in the store for some unforeseen reason then your company is likely to label me a potential shoplifter. Perhaps I might choose a cheaper product somewhere (yours certainly aren't likely to be in the best bargain category) or perhaps I might realize I need something else more and a limited amount of cash in my billfold. Whatever the reason it does happen that I occasionally pick up a product and don't make it to the checkout stand with it. I don't think you have the right to assume that means I'm stealing. In fact I greatly resent having to worry about that possibility. I have been greatly concerned over your promotion of
When I see you change your invasive procedures I might
Charlie Dear Mr. Cantwell, You can well rest assured that you will see my picture EVERY
time I Timothy C.... PS Enjoy the pictures :)
Mr. Cantwell, Hello BIG BROTHER! The RFID technology in Gillette
products is a horrific invasion of not only my privacy, which I value greatly,
but the world's privacy. Jean M. W.... Thank you for this information. I have passed this on to everyone on my mailing list AND I contacted Gillette directly. This question is directed to Gillette VP Dick Cantwell. Per the recent Caspian newsletter, I can't believe you are forging on with the invasion of privacy. I often meet my husband for grocery shopping during my lunch hour. Time is limited, and though I do the majority of the shopping (grabbing products and throwing them into the cart), I never have enough time, so he checks out at the register as I head back to work. To think I'd be labeled as a THIEF makes me now want to avoid your product at ALL COSTS!! The shame of it is, I've been using your "Good News" razor for about 9 years. I like you razors! But not enough to be labeled a thief. As of now I will no longer be buying your product. Especially after "no Comment" to the Caspian people. Sincerely, Your family of products are now being boycotted by four families in Rockford, Illinois state due to the fact that RFID chips are being implanted in your products. That amounts to 27 adult consumers and 7 "future consumers". Richard-Thomas J.... Hey Katherine: . Thanks for your work. In a message dated 8/12/03 9:49:31 AM Why in the world would you ever put chips in your razors and cameras on shelves and at check out counters? WalMart even got caught lying about it. My family has committed to changing our brand of shaving items and all the other products you endorse on your site. This is an affront to the American people. Linda K...., Attorney Dear Mr. Cantwell: This letter is to notify you that I will no longer be using your products until, or if you state in writing that you have abandoned your efforts to install your smart shelf, and auto-ID programs world wide. I am sad that you as a corporation have decided to pursue this avenue of commerce. It is just disgusting! How do you sleep at night? Sincerely, Unless and until your company stops tracking people, you can be assured that my family will no longer purchase your products. Jim L.... Hi Dick, Just want you to know that myself and my whole family will
Not be purchasing any more Gillette Products as long as you continue this
RFID Tech. and taking pictures of your customers. We are Not going to put
up with it and the line in the sand is drawn. David M.... Dear Gillette: I am writing to tell you that I am no longer buying your products. I WILL NOT BUY products with hidden RFID chips because I VALUE MY PRIVACY IN MY OWN HOME! I WILL NOT BUY products which contain hidden camera taking my photo when I take the product off the shelf. If I decide not to buy the product and put it back on the shelf you will prosecute me for shoplifting. Sorry Gillette, I don't do business with Big Brother! Not now, not tomorrow, not ever. Sincerely yours, Dear Mr. Cantwell: Just sending a short note to let you know how much I value my privacy. The RFID may be a great way to reduce product shrinkage at the point of sale, however, the potential loss of customer privacy presents itself with Orwellian overtones. For this reason, I expect to boycott your products. As far as product shrinkage is concerned, I prefer to have the thieves go to a store to steal rather than my home. If all this technology stops thievery at stores, do you think it will stop the thieves? No, they simply move to a softer target, like my house. I personally prefer to pay more for the products I use in order to cover shrinkage at the point of sale. Also, there may be some advantage to giving the dregs of society easy access to grooming products. Sincerely, Mr. Cantwell, and Gillette; You have just lost two more customers; myself and my husband. We will also inform as many persons as possible about your (and Wal-Mart's) "plans" to track and trace our movements, via your "RFID Tags!" Your SEDITIOUS, ANTI-CONSTITUTIONAL intentions to VIOLATE OUR FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHT, AND OUR RIGHTS OF "FREE-WILL" GRANTED TO US BY THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WILL BE EXPOSED TO THE NATION, AND TO THE WORLD!! YOU STUPIDLY SEEK TO SPIT ON THE VERY PEOPLE WHO GAVE YOU YOUR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT YOU NOW SEEK TO USE AGAINST US! YOU WILL BE EXPOSED, BET ON IT! Mrs. Pam F.... Dear Dick, As a consumer who has previously and recently purchased Gillette products, I am writing to tell you that I will from now on no longer be doing so. The way that Gillette is energetically pursuing a programme of RFID Tagging to all it products is, I am convinced, making a huge step in the "stepping stones" pathway towards a society of total surveilance upon members of the public who are more and more, considered guilty until proven innocent. This takes us considerably closer to a police state where the military industrial complex and the New World Order monitor and surveil every movement, where freedom of movement and, freedom of speech are squashed even more effectively than today. I am aware of course, that this is probably a knowing contribution that you are engaging in, but I am also aware that your biggest priority has to be, at least in the short term, a commercial one. I am therefore writing to ad weight to the thousands of emails you will be receiving like this one, and let you know that: You have lost one customer in me, and several customers who I will talk to, and educate about your scheme. Perhaps they, in turn will educate more people. This scheme, if allowed to succeed, will only demonstate to you and people of like mind, that the public "are ready" and will not oppose more chipping,of everything else, including the themselves. Your programme therefore must be opposed by everyone opposed to living in a high tech living hell akin to Nazi. It is a matter of education, but it is worth it. I am sure you agree. You can now ad this to your pile in your deleted items folder. However be mindful that your programme will negatively affect sales, and your good name. Awareness is growing. Gillette has positioned itself like a red flag as an enemy of the people, and an enemy of freedom. Regards Mon, 2003-08-11 at 13:40 I would suggest that all shoppers pick up a Gillette item and put it in their shopping cart, then change their mind and set it down on some convenient spot 10 or 20 feet away. If the store managers have to deal with re-shelving these items every day they will quickly remove the hidden cameras. Clayton McN.... This is just a fraction of the e-mail Gillette
has received (not to mention the huge number of phone calls to Gillette's
customer service hotline). |