I received an e-mail advertising the following:

Renderosity Sponsor is Giving Away HD Looping Backgrounds

The ad made it seem as though these DVD's are free.  When you actually
go to the site where the items are sold, you find out that "free" will cost
you $92 shipping (11 DVD's X approx $8 shipping each).  Apparently this merchant lacks the ability to send all the disks in one shipment, which would cost a lot less than $100.

I suggest that Renderosity not send me scams like this unless they no longer wish me to visit their site or to be a customer here.  This sort of thing makes Renderosity look disreputable.

Mike

I got it too. I knew it was a fake email from the email addy it came from.

Laurie

it is a rate strange deal ..asking shipping for each and every one..but you buy them in ONE pack ..

That does sound like a scam to me.. if it was 25 shipping for all of them it whould be a normal deal..
the DVD is free the shipping is not .. but 8,95 for each shipping is ripping me off..

pitty ..

Quote - it is a rate strange deal ..asking shipping for each and every one..but you buy them in ONE pack ..

That does sound like a scam to me.. if it was 25 shipping for all of them it whould be a normal deal..
the DVD is free the shipping is not .. but 8,95 for each shipping is ripping me off..

pitty ..

Of course someone in the U.S. invented that BAR-CODE...lol. "Get the second one FREE - just pay separate shipping and handling" ;o).

Laurie

I got it, too.

Luckily, I was alreasy aware that it's a fake because I preview my mail in Mailwasher.

Quote - I got it, too.

Luckily, I was alreasy aware that it's a fake because I preview my mail in Mailwasher.

Yup, I looked at the header ;o).

Laurie

I'm glad to hear it was a fake. 

Renderosity did not send that. Members only get the emails and notifications that they subscribe to..such as the newsletter, forum subscriptions, gallery subscriptions, fave vendor notifications, etc.

Thanks :)

~Jani

I got it too...I'd like to know how they got my email address?

so how did they get the email addresses then?
the address I got my copy on is only rarely used for Rendo. nothing has been purchased on that account...

It's very disquieting :o(.

Laurie

I know Laurie...its one thing to get spammed onsite but not good when it comes in to your pc inbox.

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/emarket/?AID=408

Something wicked this way comes....

:o(

Laurie

so rendo's systems say rendo sent it....

oh this is going to be fun.....

Is it September already?

Laurie

I don't usually complain about much...but this kind of misleading advertisement coming from a place I've always trusted with my info....gripes my ass!

Quote - Renderosity did not send that. Members only get the emails and notifications that they subscribe to..such as the newsletter, forum subscriptions, gallery subscriptions, fave vendor notifications, etc.

Thanks :)

~Jani

**SO HOW DID THEY GET THIS TO US ?
HOW DID THEY GET OUR EMAIL ADRESSES
I REALY WANT A OFFICIAL REPLEY TO THIS ON HOW IT WAS POSSIBLE.

AND WHAT IS RENDO GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS**

Chris

The headers of the email say Rendo sent it - Hedwig.bondware.com

If Rendo didn't send it, why is there a copy of that email on the site?

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/emarket/view.php?msg_id=720&email=archives@archives  

It's a Rendo newsletter, but it advertises stuff on another website?  It's weird.

Quote - If Rendo didn't send it, why is there a copy of that email on the site?

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/emarket/view.php?msg_id=720&email=archives@archives  

It's a Rendo newsletter, but it advertises stuff on another website?  It's weird.

Thats a good question ... WHY is that if RO didnot sent that email ..
WHATS UP RENDO ? DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT SENT IT

Quote - If Rendo didn't send it, why is there a copy of that email on the site?

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/emarket/view.php?msg_id=720&email=archives@archives  

It's a Rendo newsletter, but it advertises stuff on another website?  It's weird.

yes there's a link above showing that ;)

Does this mean Rendo will start sending us ads from their sponsors now?

There is ad space people can purchase and this is a paid ad.  I've alerted Jenifer to this thread so she can explain in more detail about these types of ads.

well, here's a little info about that advertiser that I so ungraciously got the unwanted advertising from...

I have nothing against the site in particular nor you Stacey, but you may tell Jen that this kind of stuff I already get too much of and don't really need more :o( Thanks.

This is the worst idea RO has ever had. I'm sorry Stacey that you got saddled with the backlash...AGAIN.

Laurie

No worries Laurie. I understand where you are coming from. Hopefully Jenifer will respond soon with some better information.

So, am I to assume that this little bit in the TOS has been rewritten for RO's benefit?

"E-mail Addresses: Member e-mail addresses are stored in a database for use in distributing member selected newsletters. This information is not shared except in cooperation with appropriate authorities in the case of violations of our Zero Tolerance Conduct."

I guess so :o(.

Laurie

I would think that if rendo wanted to let them advertise on the site that would be their decision...but NOT coming into my email!

Same here, when I checked the thingie to subscribe to the newsletter, it was to "receive email newsletters, announcements, and special offers from this site" not from some other website.

Hopefully we can opt out.

Laurie

Unsub from the newsletter I guess....

They don't get the email addresses at all. They only supplied the ad and WE send it out from our system. It's just like a vendor newsletter ad but instead a paid spot they submit the ad copy to us and we send it.

Okay...I have a suggestion then, since this IS the Suggestion Box Forum...

Tell whomever had this brilliant bit of thought process that they should seriously rethink it.

I'm already pissed off enough to walk away from this place. I don't even get crap emails from other forum sites I've signed up for for heaven's sake...

Again, not directed at you Stacey ;o). But then, I seriously doubt it was YOUR idea...lol.

Laurie

We can opt out from the newsletter, but I don't want to do that, I enjoy receiving news from this site, I just don't want to receive stuff and junk directing me to other websites.  They don't get my email address, but I still receive their ads and I'm not particularly interested in receiving it.

Hopefully Jenifer can help when she responds

Thanks Stacey and I'm sorry too, I know it's not your decision as well. 

I suggest that whoever is responsible for the ads....should first check them out to see if they are a rip off....it only takes one google search and a couple of minutes and it would surely be easier than what is happening on here now.,..   :ohmy:

Well I personally suggest you don't send ads for offsite stuff at all...  If I start getting that kind of crap it won't be long before I unsubscribe.

also, we are constantly warned about Phishing Attacks. to check where an email sends us.

and this Email's links when moused over that they are going to Renderosity. but when clicked take you to this other site instead.

a classic Phishing Attack tactic.

slow clap well done.

Not that my opinion counts for much, but I agree with Lucie.  This is one the few websites that does not send me unsolicited advertising (at least they didn't until now) and I would like to keep it that way.  I get enough spam already and I don't need more.

As Stacey has explained, it was not a fake email and Renderosity does not distribute email addresses. I apologize for not making sure our off-site admin knew the details of this newsletter. We have always had email sponsorship opportunities, but we have rarely had sponsors interested in that option. There have been some similar types of emails in the past, but those sponsors ads were not as obvious or smaller ads.  The sponsor offered a special to our members that we believed our community would be interested in. However, knowing now that members may like their product, but not the approach, we will work with this company to find other options for them to help sponsor our community (maybe like a contest sponsor).

Though our email opt-out option currently covers newsletters, announcements and special offers altogether, we will work to separate those options out if our sponsors continue to have an interest in our email options.

and the fact the email was not checked and used Phishing Tactics?

I also wanted to make sure people understand that the company and the offer is legitimate.  Renderosity has even purchased several of their looping video background dvds, and have been happy with them....we just haven't found enough ways to use them. 

edited for typo

Quote - and the fact the email was not checked and used Phishing Tactics?

We do always check email. I'm not sure I understand why you believe it wasn't.
All links, text and images in our newsletters will have our Renderosity "emarket" module address on mouse over (renderosity.com/mod/emarket/). That is where all the information in  our newsletters is stored. It isn't phishing.

Well, I've unsubscribed from the newsletter anyway. I'll read it on the site from now on. If I think about it.

I'm sure that makes the MP vendors extremely happy.

Laurie

you miss-understand what happened then,

in the email I mouse over the link it says "

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/emarket/goto/217288/720/2599857/"

but clicking the link you goto 

http://www.footagefirm.com/freehdlooping10.html?utm_source=Renderosity&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Renderosity&AID=408

now to security firms such as Sophos, Norton etc, and banks, this is a Phishing Attack.

it's what they warn us to look out for in fake emails.

suggesting otherwise.. I just don't know what to think of the site.

infact to quote

"

Link manipulation

Most methods of phishing use some form of technical deception designed to make a link in an e-mail (and the spoofed website it leads to) appear to belong to the spoofed organization. Misspelled URLs or the use of subdomains are common tricks used by phishers. In the following example URL, http://www.yourbank.example.com/, it appears as though the URL will take you to the example section of the yourbank website; actually this URL points to the "yourbank" (i.e. phishing) section of the example website. Another common trick is to make the anchor text for a link appear to be valid, when the link actually goes to the phishers' site. The following example link, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genuine, appears to take you to an article entitled "Genuine"; clicking on it will in fact take you to the article entitled "Deception". In the lower left hand corner of most browsers you can preview and verify where the link is going to take you.[29]"

Jen....did you read this  link   and if so...can you explain it?  This is what makes me cautious.

And another for your reading pleasure...

Laurie

Quote - ...Though our email opt-out option currently covers newsletters, announcements and special offers altogether, we will work to separate those options out if our sponsors continue to have an interest in our email options.

You'll forgive me Jen if I don't hold my breath...

Laurie

I'm keeping my newsletter subscription for now, but if I receive another similar email that takes me to another website I will definitely unsubscribe. I subscribed to Rendo's newsletter to get news, special offers and announcements from Renderosity and what is on this here site, if I want announcements from other websites, I'll go subscribe to their newsletter myself, I don't need nor do I want to get them from Rendo. 

Quote - I also wanted to make sure people understand that the company and the offer is legitimate.  Renderosity has even purchased several of their looping video background dvds, and have been happy with them....we just haven't found enough ways to use them. 

edited for typo

THANKS RENDO STAFF for the clear repleys..
pitty not all Staff knew about this but we learn every day..

A OPT out for these can be nice..but now we know, why and what ..
i trust Renderosity staff to pick their advertisers carefully and i dont need to opt out..

GreetZ
Chris

Well, I'm not so eager to get crap ads or ads that send me to a site other than what the link says. I'm always so careful and in all the years I've had a computer (quickly going on 20), I can count on less than 5 fingers all the times I've gotten a virus or a trojan. I'd like to keep it that way. I'll be unsubbing from the newsletter until they've fixed this. I get enough junk in my inbox and I'm not eager nor willing to get more.

Funny that this has never come up until now when it's "always" been a policy? Frankly, I find that hard to swallow. I think it's new and even if it isn't, it was never mentioned either in the TOS or anywhere else when signing up for the site. And I don't buy the "offers that our members might enjoy" stuff. Who enjoys unsolicited emails? Granted, I signed up for this place years ago, so I don't exactly recall what the terms were when I did, but since the junk email has only recently started (I've gotten two so far), I'm thinking it's something new. If the owners of the site are that hard up for money there are other ways to make it other than driving away members over stuff like this. It's bad enough that we're bombarded by ads when we're on the site - I totally don't want Renderosity bombarding me more in my own, private email box.

That's all I'm gonna say about it anymore. I'm still so disgusted.

Laurie