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from the things-people-will-do-for-a-discount dept.
FedEx will pay customers to turn Adobe Flash back on if it notices Chrome or Safari users that have it disabled:
FedEx will give customers that use the Chrome 56 and Safari 10 browsers or newer a $5 discount once they enable the Flash plugin. The offer comes after both Chrome and Safari have started blocking Flash content by default in the past few months.
[...] Despite all of [the] warnings, FedEx has remained one of the largest companies that still supports Flash content on its website. This seems to be causing some issues for their customers, who now need to enable Flash in Chrome and Safari. As you may imagine, chances are that many FedEx customers aren't very happy that they have to follow a list of relatively technical instructions to enable Flash again in their browsers. The more tech savvy ones may even dislike the fact that FedEx is forcing them to use Flash again, and potentially expose them to security risks, just when they thought they could have a Flash-free web experience.
To alleviate this problem, FedEx has come up with a rather interesting idea--it will offer its customers a $5 discount for orders over $30 if the site notices that they don't have Flash enabled. All you have to do to get that $5 discount is--you guessed it--enable Flash in your browser. Easy! In its instructions, the company is asking its customers to switch Flash to the "Always run" option, in order to enable it in their browsers. However, Chrome and Safari users should also be able to allow the Flash plugin to "Run once" on the FedEx website. This should allow them to complete the purchase, while at the same time limiting their exposure to Flash exploits.
How about a class action lawsuit for everyone who keeps Flash running after re-enabling it?
(Score: 2) by NotSanguine on Sunday March 26 2017, @08:18PM (6 children)
FedEx will give customers that use the Chrome 56 and Safari 10 browsers or newer a $5 discount once they enable the Flash plugin. The offer comes after both Chrome and Safari have started blocking Flash content by default in the past few months.
I'd rather have my tonsils extracted through my ears.
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 26 2017, @09:16PM (5 children)
> I'd rather have my tonsils extracted through my ears.
Microsoft Edge is the new browser built for Windows 10. Edge is faster, safer & gives you longer battery life. Stream 4K & take notes on web pages. Try it now.
(Score: 3, Funny) by NotSanguine on Sunday March 26 2017, @09:26PM (1 child)
> I'd rather have my tonsils extracted through my ears.
Microsoft Edge is the new browser built for Windows 10. Edge is faster, safer & gives you longer battery life. Stream 4K & take notes on web pages. Try it now.
Scalpel, please!
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 26 2017, @10:09PM
No need for that arcane instrument, they can do it cheaper with robotic power tools.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Monday March 27 2017, @01:06AM (2 children)
What a piece of shit Edge must be: Chrome, Firefox, Palemoon, etc are all multi-platform/OS browsers.
Pffft... Windows only: arcane monkey-poo browser.
Talk to us again when it will run natively on linux.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 27 2017, @01:11AM (1 child)
Windows 10 only.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 27 2017, @08:55AM
The less Microsoft puts in other platforms, the better. For the other platforms.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Sulla on Sunday March 26 2017, @08:25PM (3 children)
Given the recent actions of corporations, I much prefer this method of getting their customers to comply than paying some lobbiest to make a law of some sort. I am interested in the meeting where they decided it was cheaper to give 5 dollar discounts than rewrite the flash on their website.
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 1) by DmT on Sunday March 26 2017, @09:42PM (2 children)
Enable flash or pay a fine?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 27 2017, @02:10AM (1 child)
The online payment portal for paying fines is IE 6 only and requires Flash.
(Score: 1) by WillR on Monday March 27 2017, @02:22PM
And the form you have to submit with the fine will be a WordPerfect document.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by maxwell demon on Sunday March 26 2017, @09:14PM (1 child)
So if you enable Flash, but then after getting that discount you disable it again, will you get another $5 discount on the next delivery for enabling it again? If so, it's certainly no incentive to keep it enabled …
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Monday March 27 2017, @01:08AM
Man! Love the way you think. Got a newsletter? :)
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Sunday March 26 2017, @09:34PM (2 children)
Most sane and rational people who comprehend computer security tell you to trash flash. And, FedEx wants to swim against the tide? Really, WTF? "Our crappy web pages are more important than your security!" Yeah, right.
Time to re-write a song. Instead of take this job and stuff it,
Take that bill and stuff it,
I ain't screwin with Flash no more
We're gonna be able to vacation in Gaza, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran and maybe Minnesota soon. Incredible times.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by FakeBeldin on Sunday March 26 2017, @09:47PM (1 child)
The main problem I have is not the idiocy of turning it off now.
The main problem is that this is exactly the sort of thing that will stay turned off, even after FedEx fixes their site.
So congratulations FedEx: because you were too slow to see the signs coming at you for the past 7 or so years, you're now incentivizing Americans to make their computers insecure - without any plan on how to later switch back.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by anubi on Monday March 27 2017, @06:49AM
I had business I have patronized for years suddenly start insisting I conform to their business model... which included words like "hold harmless" for whatever I encountered in order to comply with their business demand.
This almost always resulted in my finding a new supplier.
Its one of the neat things about the new internet business model. Many larger, more established businesses with a huge customer base are quite willing to encourage their customers to visit an upstart.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 0, Flamebait) by DmT on Sunday March 26 2017, @09:40PM (2 children)
Next americans will give $10 for upgrading to Windows 10?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 26 2017, @10:03PM
Nope but it looks kinda suspicious if you don't. And we're doing more drone runs than we used to. ;-)
(Score: 2) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Sunday March 26 2017, @10:10PM
Next americans will give $10 for upgrading to Windows 10?
I'm sorry, your bid has not reached the reserve price*.
*total gross cost (sorry, can't use the word "worth" or "value" in this context) of microsoft +one mafiaa cost of film download +$1.00
It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by FakeBeldin on Sunday March 26 2017, @09:44PM (1 child)
I tweeted about how dumb this is, naming @FedEx.
Within a minute, @FedExHelp was messaging me whether or not I needed assistance.
The 140-character limit of twitter would never do justice to what I want to express, so I declined.
But seriously: if the doofus had read the tweet, he'd know that the only help he can offer is to tell management to get rid of this idiocy and just urgently update their site.
The idea of offering a discount to switch off security is horrendous.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 26 2017, @10:13PM
Thank you for your interest in the Fed Ex Flash Enhancement Experience. We value your support and appreciation of our novel services. Please follow our site for further exciting developments.
Did this answer your question - click [YES].
(Score: 2) by Lagg on Sunday March 26 2017, @10:14PM (3 children)
FedEx has went from shit to just-plain-annoying in recent years to the point that I don't really see much of a difference in damage and delays between them and Oops (AKA United Parcel Smashers). As far as I understand this is bulk label buying for offices? Do they have the lockin power /or general novelness that UPS doesn't have in their own service like this? All of their websites suck so I can't actually find the product list or I'd say as much myself.
http://lagg.me [lagg.me] 🗿
(Score: 2) by Kilo110 on Monday March 27 2017, @12:01AM (2 children)
fedex misdelivered my stuff twice in the past year. one even required signature confirmation.
They eventually did find the packages but something like this should never have happened.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 27 2017, @12:40AM
I had the same thing happen to me and signature confirmation was required because the item was quite expensive. Well, Fedex tracking emails me saying it is delivered. I called the shipper right away and told them it was stolen. We do a conference call with Fedex, who claims they will "investigate." They call me back less than a hour later. Well, turns out someone picked it up at their store and signed for it. I ask for my money from the insurance, but they deny it because someone signed for it. The email a copy of the signature and my name is not only misspelled, but doesn't match the recipient name on the shipping label AND matches a misspelling of my name written in crayon on the exterior (having kids doodle on the side usually results in better treatment). Why would I misspell my own name in such a specific way? Well, they were no help. I did get a check delivered via overnight shipping from them the day after USPS said my certified letter arrived at their Registered Agent's office.
(Score: 2) by urza9814 on Tuesday March 28 2017, @05:58PM
Only twice? Lucky you...
I can't recall a single time FedEx actually delivered something on time, intact, and to the correct address. Usually it's the wrong address, often also a week or so late, once or twice it's been damaged on top of that. Funny thing is when FedEx tells you who signed for it, and you say "That's not my address and I've never heard of that person in my life" they tell you there's nothing they can do about it. They don't deliver to the address I gave them, they don't bother to check if the person signing is the correct recipient, and then they shrug and tell me it's MY RESPONSIBILITY to go figure out what the fuck they did with it...
Every few months I complain...and they ignore it.
(Score: 3, Funny) by inertnet on Sunday March 26 2017, @11:10PM
They obviously intend to move your precious data around the world as quick as possible.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Gaaark on Monday March 27 2017, @01:19AM (2 children)
I talked with one fedex delivery guy here in Canada:
Their hand held scanners have no way of tracking a parcel to a specific target delivery address: if they go to address A with a parcel for address B and they scan it to deliver it to address A, the scanner will not inform them it is going to the wrong address. It just accepts it, and once you sign for it, it says its been delivered.
The smart thing would have been to have it check itself: especially when you have 3 parcels going to A and 1 parcel going to B, all being delivered to A you'd think the scanner would go: 'wait a second, one of these things is not like the others!' and give a beep.
No, it just lets the doofus deliver to the wrong address and once it's signed for, it's no longer his problem..... a GOOD way to get your delivery run done early if your last stop is a 20 minute drive out of your way: deliver the last stops parcel to the address you're at now and you are done! The misaddress becomes someone elses problem for tomorrow.
Stupid.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 2, Insightful) by tftp on Monday March 27 2017, @03:34AM
It's also very popular to just checkmark "Nobody at home" and throw the package back into the truck - it will be rescheduled for another day and maybe even for another delivery man. Great for job security (more work that you don't have to do) and for your performance (delivery attempted in 10 seconds, even if the address is 10 miles away.) Drawbacks? Only if the house has a camera at the gate, and the owner is waiting for the package... But chances are that the call center people will not bother to hunt down a specific driver, they also have to complete the call within so many seconds. Marked as "redeliver?" Good, done. Next.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Monday March 27 2017, @07:14AM
You would sure think that with the GPS tracking technologies we have today, errors like you described would be a thing of the past.
My phone sure knows when I am home. Damn near shows me which room I am in.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 27 2017, @03:27AM (2 children)
Did they outsource whoever coded the backend, replacement of frontend is shit and FedEx is now unable to get a new full system fast enough get out of the mess?
(Score: 1) by anubi on Monday March 27 2017, @07:20AM (1 child)
Knowing how some businesses operate... likely got the lowest bidder contract, got it out fast, taught the company man how to get at the data files it created, and the relationship with the software guy terminated.
Now, nobody knows how it worked.
And the software guy starved. Doing something else now.
The pleasures of proprietary software, whether it be owned by a corporation or an individual.
Kinda like having a professional take your wedding photos instead of having a friend do it. You get one who holds you hostage over copyright and won't hand over the image files, well a pox on you for involving proprietary systems in your affairs.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 27 2017, @05:05PM
These big companies are the stupidest of fucks. They think they can stay in the 90's forever with their scum soaked websites. They hire the wrong firms(whatever windows using, idiotic slaveware peddling whores the other big companies hired) , pay them too much, don't get source code and then want to keep it the same for 20 fucking years because they are too ignorant and lazy to do anything about it. There are firms who would build a modern application for a very reasonable price and release the source to them but they are too stupid to look around and find smaller co's. Large corps are reservoirs of wasted human potential just like governments.
(Score: 4, Informative) by Chromium_One on Monday March 27 2017, @06:20AM (1 child)
Last I was paying attention, verified malware installs that paid were hovering around $1/install with $2/install being way over on the high side. What the hell, FedEx?
To be slightly more serious ... what's your value proposition here beyond (literally) buying time on a site redesign?
When you live in a sick society, everything you do is wrong.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 27 2017, @09:39PM
You are assuming that the discount actually costs them money. It's a top-line discount, not a bottom-line one, like those "save $1 if you by ABC brand frozen dinners this week." It's entirely possible that they are still making a profit.
Imagine the average package costs them $10 to ship, and they charge $20 to ship them. Even with the $5 promotional discount they are earning a profit.
In fact, if this new "promotion" brings enough extra traffic, it could in fact turn out to be profitable for them, just like how traditional coupons are.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday March 27 2017, @01:54PM
Is it really cheaper to pay people $5 to make their system insecure than to spend that money on fixing their borked website?
Dear FedEx, if I re-enable Flash, and get malware that is proven to have been delivered by Flash, will you pay for all of the ensuing costs? Malware removal, reinstallation, other losses ensuing from the malware? What if the malware leads to an expensive compromise of a database of people's personal information and passwords?
Stupid people exist because nothing in the food chain eats them anymore.