Introduction

Welcome to Area Garage Sales ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services.

By accessing or using Area Garage Sales, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Garage Sale Listings: Address, sale dates, times, item descriptions, and categories

• Email Subscriptions: Email address and city preferences for notifications

• Sponsor Information: Business name, contact details, website URL, and promotional content

• Communications: Messages sent through our contact forms or email

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you use our services, we automatically collect certain information:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, clicks, search queries

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device type

• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address or city selection

• Cookies and Tracking: See our Cookie Policy below

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Provide Services: Display garage sale listings, enable search, and provide local information

• Communication: Send garage sale alerts and notifications based on your preferences

• Improve Services: Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience

• Personalization: Provide location-based recommendations

• Security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security threats

• Legal Compliance: Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Public Listings: Garage sale information you submit is displayed publicly on our website

• Service Providers: Third-party vendors who help us operate our services (hosting, email, analytics)

• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request

• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

• With Your Consent: When you explicitly agree to share information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest

• Secure database storage with access controls

• Regular security assessments and updates

• Limited employee access to personal information

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Your Privacy Rights

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

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information

• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information

• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information

• Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured format

• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications

• Object: Object to certain processing of your information

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected]

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and saved garage sales

• Analyze site traffic and user behavior

• Provide location-based recommendations

• Improve site performance and functionality

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may limit some functionality of our services.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services

• Comply with legal obligations

• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

Garage sale listings are automatically removed after the sale end date. When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

8. Children's Privacy

Area Garage Sales is intended for users who are at least 13 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

9. Third-Party Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

We may use the following third-party services:

• Google Maps: For displaying garage sale locations and directions

• PayPal: For processing sponsorship payments

• Cloudflare: For security and performance optimization

10. 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.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Your continued use of the Service after any modifications indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.