Product Alert from Global Sources - Help & FAQ about Product Alert

About Product Alert

•	What is Product Alert?
•	What are the features and functions of Product Alert?
•	What is the difference between a Product Alert subscription and full Global Sources Online registration?
•	Why should I sign-up for Product Alert?
•	How do I sign-up for Product Alert?
•	Why must I reconfirm my request to receive Product Alert updates?
•	How do I go to my personalized Product Alert Homepage?
•	What information will I see in my Product and News Alert updates?
•	How do I view the product categories I have selected?
•	How do I add or remove product categories in my Product Alert?
•	I've noticed "Notify me of new 'Product Category'" links in editorial articles, product search results and individual product profiles throughout the website. How do these links work?
•	In the Industry News article page I'm reading, what is the Product Alert selection box for?
•	How do I unsubscribe from Product Alert?

Troubleshooting

• Why are the products in my Product Alert update different from those on my Product Alert Homepage?

• I have already registered for Global Sources Online but I don't receive Product and/or News Alert updates. Why?

• I am a Product Alert subscriber and I've lost my Product Alert e-mail - can I get another copy?

• Why do I receive so many Product and/or News Alert updates?

• Why are the product images missing from my Product Alert e-mail?

• I'm going away for a few weeks and don't want to receive Product and News Alert updates during that time. What can I do?

• I can't seem to be able to add categories from the website. I keep getting a login and registration page and I don't have a login/password. When I enter my e-mail address it says I have already subscribed to Product Alert.

What is Product Alert?
Product Alert is a FREE personalized update service that e-mails you when new products and industry news are posted on Global Sources Online, for product categories you are interested in. By subscribing to Product Alert you will get:

• Product Alert updates

• News Alert updates

And if you are a full registered member of Global Sources Online, your Product Alert services will also include:

• A personalized Product Alert Homepage

• Easy access to Product Alert settings from Global Sources Online where you can add/remove categories, suspend e-mail updates, set e-mail format and change e-mail address.

What are the features and functions of Product Alert?

1. Product Alert updates
These alerts notify you of the latest products posted on Global Sources Online. You can select the specific product category/categories for which you wish to receive updates. Each update is sent to you as an e-mail in HTML format with product images. Note: full registered members of Global Sources Online can choose to receive Product updates in plain text format.

2. News Alert updates
These alert you by e-mail when the latest news articles on the product category/categories which interest you are posted on Global Sources Online. Simply click on the news article link in the HTML e-mail updates we send you. Note: full registered members of Global Sources Online can choose to receive News updates in plain text format.

3. Your Personalized Product Alert Homepage (For full registered members)
Your Product Alert Homepage stores your Product & News updates for the last 15 days. You can also view ALL the products and news available online for your selected categories. You can use this page to:

• View all of your Product Alerts in the last 15 days.

• Send inquiries to suppliers for any of the new products listed.

• Add products to your Inquiry Basket so you can inquire about them later.

4. Product Category Selection
You can easily add or remove product categories for which you wish to receive updates.

For full registered members, you can

a) Click on the "Product Alert" link in the left navigation bar in Global Sources Online, and then click on "Edit Categories" below the Product Alert in the left navigation bar. You can also go to 'Edit Categories' from your Product Alert welcome or update e-mails. Once in your Edit Categories page, you can view the categories you have selected, and then add or remove any categories.

b) Click on " Notify me of new 'Product Category' " links found on product specific pages throughout the site to add categories instantly, login is required.

c) Take advantage of "recommended categories" we identify for you based on the categories you've subscribed and/or you are searching for. You can add from convenient checkboxes available on the website or from your Product Alert e-mails.

For Product Alert subscribers only, just click on the "Edit Categories" link in your Product Alert welcome or update e-mails and go to your "Edit Categories" page to view the categories you have selected, and then add or remove any categories.

5. Settings (For full registered members)
Your Product Alert Settings page lets you turn on or off your Product and News Alerts e-mail updates.
To receive updates, just check the appropriate checkbox. To stop receiving them, simply uncheck the box. Your selected categories will not be lost if you choose to stop receiving updates. They will continue to be available in your Product Alert Homepage.
Note: By default, Product Alert users receive both Product and News Alert updates.

What is the difference between a Product Alert subscription and full Global Sources Online registration?
A full registered member of Global Sources Online has access to many services, including Product Alert, a personalized Product Alert homepage and related online tools. And, the maximum number of categories to select is 500. Register Now.

A Product Alert subscriber will only receive Product Alert e-mails and will not enjoy the full benefits given to a full registered member. A Product Alert subscriber can only have limited access to his Edit Categories page and will not be able to personalize his Product Alert updates, manage his/her preferred settings, or send inquiries. The maximum number of categories to select is 20. However, a Product Alert subscriber can upgrade to become a full registered member at any time and enjoy ALL free services available on Global Sources Online. Register Now.

Why should I sign-up for Product Alert?
Use Product Alert to source without having to spend time searching for new products, suppliers and related industry news. Plus, you will always know about newly-posted products and supply-industry changes that will impact your business.

With Product Alert, you will get:

• E-mail updates on the latest products and news for the categories you select

• Full-color product pictures and top-line specifications for each featured product

• Links to in-depth product and supplier information

• Your own personalized Product Alert Homepage (For full registered members)

How do I sign-up for Product Alert?
You can subscribe to Product Alert e-mails only, or register as a full member of Global Sources Online to enjoy extended features of Product Alert service. Both types of sign-up are FREE.

1. If you are already a registered member of Global Sources Online, all you need to do is select Product Alert categories to activate your Product Alert (click here for details).

2. If you not yet a member of Global Sources, you can sign up for Product Alert only or register as a full member to start receiving Product Alert updates.

PA Lite e-mail updates a) To sign up for Product Alert only, simply provide your e-mail address in the Product Alert subscription box (pictured right) in the Global Sources homepage or on various search results pages. You'll then be required to choose the product categories you're interested in. Just follow the instructions to complete your subscription.

b) To sign up for Product Alert AND the full range of free Global Sources Online membership services, click on any "Register" link on the website and fill in the registration form. Then select the categories you want to receive updates for. Once registered, you'll also get full access to extended Product Alert features and services for FREE.

Please note: verification of your Product Alert request is required for both full registered members and Product Alert Subscription only.
Once you've selected categories for Product Alert, you will be sent a verification e-mail. Check your inbox and click on the link in the e-mail to verify that you want to receive Product Alert updates. You will start to receive them when you reconfirm. This is part of our commitment to ethical marketing to ensure that we only provide you with relevant information.

Why must I reconfirm my request to receive Product Alert updates?
This is to ensure that your request to receive Product Alert e-mails is verified as authentic by you.

How do I go to my personalized Product Alert Homepage? (For full registered members)
There are 2 ways to access your personalized Product Alert Homepage:

1. Click on the Product Alert link in the left navigation bar

2. Follow the links in your e-mail Product Alert e-mail updates.

Please note that you will need to be cookied or logged-in to access your personalized Product Alert Homepage.

Tip: Select the "Remember me when I come back" option on the login page. Your browser will "remember" you when you return so you don't need to login again to view your Product Alert Homepage. Find out more.

If you subscribed to Product Alert only, upgrade your subscription to full registration and have your personalized Product Alert Homepage automatically set up for you free.

What information will I see in my Product and News Alert updates?
The following information will be available in the 2 types of update:

Product Alert updates

• Individual product details and supplier information

• Full-color product pictures or top-line specifications for each product

• Direct links to full descriptions of all featured products and suppliers

News Alert updates

• A list of new articles, each with a summary headline

• Direct links to all featured articles

How do I view the product categories I have selected?
For full registered members, your personalized Product Alert Homepage lists your selected product categories. You can also click on any Edit Categories link (e.g. in the left navigation bar) to see your selected categories.

If you are a Product Alert subscriber only, click on an "Edit Categories" link in the Product Alert e-mails you receive to view and manage your selected categories.

How do I add or remove product categories in my Product Alert?
You can add categories using any of these methods:

1. From Global Sources Online (full registered members), click on the "Product Alert" and then the "Edit Categories" links in the left navigation bar to get to your Edit Categories page. You will see the categories you have selected. You can add more categories, or remove categories from your list of selected categories.

There are three ways to add categories here:

a) Add by Keyword
Use this method if you have a specific product in mind.
1. Enter a product keyword in the search box.
2. Click Search.
3. Select specific product categories from the list.
4. Click the Receive Alerts button.

b) Add from List of Categories (For full registered members)
Use this method if you want to browse available product categories in Global Sources Online. Products are organized into four levels of category, from less specific to more specific.

1. Click on the "list of available product categories" link. Then select 1 product category from this list to narrow your choice.

2. Continue until you see a list of specific product categories with checkboxes.

3. Check the product categories for which you would like to get updates.

4. Click the Receive Alerts button.

5. You will see a confirmation page showing the number of categories you have added.

c) Add from Recommended Categories
When you have added categories using methods a) and b) shown above, you will often see a table of additional recommended categories related to the ones you've just added. To add these, simply check on them and click "Add these categories".

2. Click on " Notify me of new 'Product Category'" when you see it under the category's title in new product articles, product search-result pages and individual product profile pages. (For full registered members)
If you are not cookied or logged in, you will need to login first to add the category selected. Then you'll be taken back to the page you were viewing, and the category will be marked as " Added to my Product Alert".
Tip: To ensure you receive updates on products that are important to you, make sure that the categories you've already selected are marked " Added to my Product Alert". For example:
Selected for your Product Alert

3. In Industry News pages, select from up to 5 categories listed in your Product and News Alerts box. (For full registered members)
The categories listed are related to the news article you are viewing. Categories that have already been selected will show a "Selected" message next to the category.

4. Add the category of the product(s) you are inquiring about.
You can conveniently add the category of the product(s) you are currently inquiring about, by selecting the Product Alert checkbox at the bottom of the Inquiry form.

5. Add via "Recommended categories". (For logged-in members)
If you're looking at product catalog listings, you may see a choice of related product categories recommended for your Product Alert. This appears on the right-hand column.
After adding a category, you may sometimes see more choices for related categories which may be of interest to you.

6. From your Product Alert e-mails, click on the "Edit Categories" link. This will bring you to your Edit Categories page. You will see the categories you have selected. You can add more categories, or remove categories from your list of selected categories.
Your Product Alert e-mails will also include additional recommended categories we have identified for you, which you can immediately add to your alerts.

To remove any of the categories you've added, simply click on "Product Alert" on the left navigation bar and then on "Edit Categories" to get to your Edit Categories page.

I've noticed " Notify me of new 'Product Category'" links in editorial articles, product search results and individual product profiles throughout Global Sources Online. How do these links work?

PA e-mail me

A) For full registered members of Global Sources Online, you can use these links to quickly add categories to your Product Alert.
When logged-in to the site, the product category will be added to your Product Alert categories immediately. The page will refresh and will tell you that the category is now " Added to my Product Alert". It's simple and easy to select Product Alert categories this way.
If you are not logged-in, clicking these links will bring you to a login page (see below). Please login and the given category will be instantly added to your Product Alert categories. You will then be taken back to the page you were previously viewing.
Product Alert Lite Login

B) New users can click this link and be taken to the above page where you can subscribe to Product Alert or complete full registration. The category referred to will be added with your subscription or registration. Then follow the instructions to check your e-mail and verify your request to start receiving Product Alert updates.

In the Industry News article pages, what is the Product Alert selection box for?

The selection box contains up to 5 product categories related to the article you are reading. Products in these categories may be of interest to you.

You can select any of the categories shown and then click on the Add button to add them to your Product Alert. (For full registered members)

How do I unsubscribe from Product Alert?

Full registered members can unsubscribe from Product Alert by going to your Settings page (login required) and un-checking the checkboxes for Product and News Alerts.

Note: you can re-check these checkboxes at any time to start receiving either or both Product and News Alerts again (your categories will be maintained so you do not have to re-select them).

For Product Alert subscribers only, click on the "Unsubscribe Product Alert" link at the bottom of the Product Alert e-mails you receive.

Why are the products in my Product Alert update different from those on my Product Alert Homepage? (For full registered members)
You may have registered with Global Sources using different e-mail addresses and thus have multiple accounts. Check your Product Alert update for the following:

• Is the Salutation Name Name ("Dear ?") in the Product Alert update the same as the name at the top of the left navigation bar when you are logged in to Global Sources Online?

• Is the Login Name ("Your login name is: ?.") listed in your Product Alert update the same as the one you use to access your Product Alert Homepage online?

• In the "Settings" page, is the e-mail address displayed the same as the e-mail address in your Product Alert update?

If you've answered "No" to any of the above, please contact Global Sources for further assistance.

I have already registered for Global Sources Online but I don't receive Product and/or News Alert updates. Why?
Here are the possible reasons:

• No product categories selected
Check your Edit Categories page to see if there are any product categories listed. You need to have at least 1 product category selected to start receiving Product and/or News Alert updates. If there are no categories selected, use the keyword-search or search-by-category functions to add categories.

• Product and/or News Alerts are unchecked in your Settings page
You may have unchecked the option to receive Product and/or News Alerts in the Settings page.

1. Click Settings (under Product Alert) in the left navigation bar.

2. Make sure the Product and/or News Alert options are checked.

3. Click Update to start receiving Product and/or News Alert updates again.

• Incorrect e-mail address
Make sure your e-mail address is correct. You can view and change your e-mail address in your User Profile page. You may access this at the top navigation bar or from the bottom of the Settings or Edit Categories pages.

If you continue to experience problems, please contact Global Sources for further assistance.

I am a Product Alert subscriber and I've lost my Product Alert e-mail - can I get another copy?
Yes, just re-enter the same e-mail address in the Product Alert subscription box. You'll get a message that your e-mail address is already subscribed. A link to "Resend my New Subscriber e-mail" will be made available to you.

If you continue to experience problems, please contact Global Sources for further assistance.

Why do I receive so many Product and/or News Alert updates?
This is likely because you have selected a large number of product categories, or categories with many new products. You can reduce the number of categories you receive in your Edit Categories page, or choose to receive only Product OR News updates from your Settings page.

Why are the product images missing from my Product Alert e-mail?
If the product images don't appear, your e-mail program may be blocking them. Please choose to accept or unblock the images to see them - to learn how, go to How to view images in Product Alert updates. Or, click on a product link or image to view full details in Global Sources Online.

I'm going away for a few weeks and don't want to receive Product and News Alert e-mail updates during that time. What can I do?
Full registered members can temporarily stop Product and News Alert e-mail updates.

1. Go to Settings.

2. Uncheck both the Product and News Alert options.

3. Click Update.

You will no longer receive e-mail updates but you can still view the latest products and news online in your personalized Product Alert Homepage. Your selected product categories will be maintained. To start receiving Product and News Alert e-mail updates again:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Check both the Product and News Alert options.

3. Click Update.

For Product Alert subscribers, you can register with Global Sources Online so as to access full services, which include the ability to temporarily stop your Alerts, as described above. You can then turn them back on later.

Product Alert only subscribers can also use the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the Product Alert e-mail to permanently stop receiving Alerts. You may re-subscribe again anytime or register as a full member - however, your categories will have been deleted when you unsubscribe and so you will have to re-select categories.

I can't seem to be able to add categories from the website. I keep getting a login and registration page and I don't have a login name or password. When I enter my e-mail address it says I have already subscribed to Product Alert.
Only full registered members with login name and password can add categories to Product Alert from the website. If you are registered but not logged-in, you will need to login to add categories.

Product Alert subscribers who are not registered and do not have login name and password can add categories by clicking on the "Edit Categories" link in your Product Alert e-mails.

How do I change my e-mail address? (For full registered members)

1. Click the User Profile link in the Product Alert e-mails you receive.
Or if you are logged in, click on the link in the top navigation bar.
Or in the Edit Categories and Settings pages, click the User Profile e-mail address link.

2. Once in your User Profile page, enter your new e-mail address

3. Click Submit.

Your Product and News Alert updates will be sent to your new e-mail address.

For Product Alert subscribers only, please consider subscribing again with your new address and unsubscribe the previous address used, or upgrade to become a full member so that you can change your e-mail address as needed in future.

How do I change my password? (For full registered members)
1. Log in to your registered account then click the User Profile link at the top navigation bar.
2. Click the Change Password link.
3. Complete all the fields.
4. Click Submit.

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If you are using Internet Explorer 6.0:

1. Go to Internet Options found under the Tools menu bar.

2. Click on the Privacy tab.

3. Make sure the privacy setting is not set to "High" or "Block all cookies". Then click "Apply" and "OK" to enable cookies to be set on your computer.

For instructions on how to set cookies on other browser types, please contact Global Sources for further assistance.

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