Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Thrift-Stores.ca ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the website.

2. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Contact us through our contact form
• Submit a store listing request
• Sign up for our newsletter (if applicable)
• Participate in surveys or promotions

This information may include your name, email address, and any other information you choose to provide.

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing actions, including:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• IP address
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses

Location Information

With your explicit consent, we may collect your device's location data to provide nearby store recommendations. This information is:

• Only collected when you actively request location-based features
• Stored temporarily in your browser's local storage (not on our servers)
• Automatically cleared after one hour for privacy protection
• Never shared with third parties

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain our website
• Improve and personalize your experience
• Respond to your comments, questions, and requests
• Process store listing submissions and updates
• Analyze usage patterns to improve our services
• Detect and prevent technical issues
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our website and store certain information. Cookies are small data files stored on your device.

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our website.

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating our website (e.g., hosting providers, analytics services)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

All third-party service providers are contractually obligated to maintain the confidentiality of your information.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Objection: Object to processing of your personal information
• Portability: Request transfer of your information to another service
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent for location tracking or other optional features

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through our contact page.

9. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including individual thrift store websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of every website you visit.

10. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes are effective immediately upon posting.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us through our contact page.