Help, it says my shopping cart is empty!

Problems with cookies and third-party software

When this page opened is informed you if your cookies were either enabled or disabled. If you missed the message, his your [F5] key and refresh the page. If you have either intentionally or inadvertently disabled your web browser's cookies, you will be able to place some items in the shopping cart, but you will not be able to check out.  The page will give you the message "Your shopping basket is currently empty", even though you have put items into the shopping basket. 

Cookies are disabled either through the web browser's settings or by 3rd party security software settings (i.e. Norton, MacAfee, etc.)  In order to checkout, you must enable your cookies.  Below are some instructions for doing this.

NOTE: If you are using your web browser in "Private Browsing" mode, this too will block your cookies!

Please disable "Private Browsing" prior to checking out. Most web browsers (FireFox, Safari, Opera) simply refer to this as "Private Browsing". Internet Explorer refers to this as "InPrivate" Browsing and Chrome refers to this as "Incognito". Regardless of what your browser calls it, when this is enabled, it will delete your shopping cart cookie. Please disable private browsing.

COOKIES in the Web Browser

How to Enable Cookies with your Web Browser

To enable cookies through your web browser, follow the instructions below for the browser version you are using.

Mozilla Firefox (final release and earlier)
  • Go to the "Tools" menu.
  • Select "Options".
  • Select the "Privacy" icon in the left panel.
  • Check the box corresponding to "Allow sites to set cookies".
  • Click "OK" to save changes.

Netscape 7.1/Mozilla 5.0

  • Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
  • Click on the arrow next to "Privacy & Security" in the scrolling window to expand.
  • Under "Privacy & Security", select "Cookies."
  • Select "Enable all cookies".
  • Click "OK".

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and newer

  • Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
  • Click on the "Privacy" tab.
  • Click the "Default" button (or manually slide the bar down to "Medium") under "Settings".
  • Click "OK".

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x

  • Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
  • Click on the "Security" tab.
  • Click the "Custom Level" button.
  • Scroll down to the "Cookies" section.
  • To enable:
    • Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Enable".
    • Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable".
  • Click "OK".

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x

  • Select "Internet Options" from the View menu.
  • Click on the "Advanced" tab.
  • Scroll down to find "Cookies" within the "Security" section.
  • To enable:
    • Select "Always accept cookies".
  • Click "OK".

Netscape Communicator 4.x

  • Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
  • Find the "Cookies" section in the "Advanced" category.
  • To enable:
    • Select "Accept all cookies" (or "Enable all cookies").
  • Click "OK".

If your web browser is not listed here, please check with the web browser's help files on how to enable cookies.

COOKIES in Third-Party Security Software
How to Enable Cookies with 3rd Party Security Software

To enable Cookies with your security software choose the version you have below and follow the directions:

Norton Internet Security
To enable cookies with Norton Internet Security, perform the following steps:

  1. Double click on the "Norton Internet Security" icon in the system tray.
  2. Click on "Norton Internet Security", then "Status & Settings" .
  3. Click on "Privacy Control", then "Configure". A new window will appear.
  4. Click on "Advanced", then "Add Site" .
  5. Enter "site name" (web site address without the quotes).
  6. Select the "User Settings" tab.
  7. Under "Cookies", uncheck the box that says "Use Privacy settings" and set the value to "Permit" .
  8. Click OK, then click OK again. Close Norton Internet Security.

Norton Personal Firewall
To enable cookies with Norton Personal Firewall, perform the following steps:

  1. Double click on the Norton Personal Firewall or Norton System Works icon in the system tray.
  2. Click on the "Open" option in the pop-up menu.
  3. Click the "Options" icon in the Norton SystemWorks menu box.
  4. Click on the "Personal Firewall" option in the Options menu box.
  5. Click the "Advanced Options" button at the bottom of the Norton Personal Firewall Options menu box to retrieve the default settings menu box.
  6. Make sure you are in the "Web" tab. There may be several domains already listed in this area.
  7. Click on the Add Site button at the bottom of the Web defaults window.
  8. You will need to enter "the website you wish to allow" (the web site address without the quotes) as a new default. This should activate the default rules section of that window.
  9. Make sure the "Cookies" and "Referer" (under Browsing Privacy) are set to Permit as a default rule for the the website.
  10. Click OK, then click OK again.

McAfee Privacy/Security
To enable cookies with McAfee Privacy/Security, perform the following steps:

  1. Right-click the red "M" icon by your system clock.
  2. Click "Privacy Service."
  3. Click "Options."
  4. The McAfee Privacy Service window appears. Click the "Cookies" tab.
  5. Enter each website address (URL) from which you would like to allow cookies.
  6. Click "Add."
  7. Once completed, close the window.

Zone Alarm
To enable cookies with Zone Alarm perform the following steps

  1. In Zone Alarm, select "Privacy"
  2. Under "Cookie Control", click on "Custom"
  3. In Custom Privacy Settings:
  4. Uncheck the box that says "Block session cookies"
  5. Uncheck the box that says "Block persistent cookies"
  6. Uncheck the box that says "Remove private header information"
  7. Uncheck the box that says "Expire Cookies"
  8. Click "OK"

For other 3rd Party Security Software, Please refer to the documentation for that particular software.

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