Privacy Policy

Effective June 16, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Zoolots LLC— operating under its brand and trade name ZooLots(“ZooLots,” “we,” “us”) — collects, uses, shares, and protects your information when you use our websites, mobile apps, and auction services (the “Services”). By using the Services you agree to this Policy. It works alongside our Terms of Service.

1. Information we collect

Information you give us:

Account details — your name, email address, mobile phone number, ZIP code, public bidder handle, and password. Authentication is handled by Google Firebase; we do not store your password ourselves.
Auction activity — the bids you place, lots you watch, orders you win, and pickup appointments you book.
Payment information — processed by Stripe. You enter card details directly with Stripe; ZooLots never receives or stores your full card number.
Communications — messages you send us (support requests, returns claims) and your notification preferences.

Information we collect automatically: device and usage data such as IP address, browser type, pages viewed, and interactions, collected through cookies and similar technologies (see §6).

2. How we use your information

To run the auction: register your account, accept bids, process wins, and schedule local pickup.
To process payments and calculate applicable sales tax through Stripe.
To send you account and transaction notifications (e.g., you won a lot, pickup ready, appointment reminders, payment issues) by email, push, and — if you provide a mobile number — text message.
To provide customer support and handle returns.
To detect and prevent fraud, enforce our Terms, and keep the Services secure.
To comply with legal, tax, and recordkeeping obligations.

3. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it with data brokers. We share information only with the service providers that operate the platform, and only as needed for them to perform their service for us:

Stripe — payment processing.
Google Firebase / Firestore — authentication, hosting, and real-time data.
Resend — transactional email delivery.
Twilio — text-message (SMS) delivery for account alerts.

We may also disclose information when required by law or legal process, to protect our rights, users, or safety, or in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (in which case we will notify you). These providers are bound to use the information only to provide their services to us.

4. Text messages (SMS)

If you provide your mobile number and create an account, we use it to send account and transaction text messages (such as won-lot, pickup-ready, appointment-reminder, and payment alerts) through our messaging provider Twilio. This is not a marketing program; we do not send promotional texts. Message frequency varies, and message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP, or text HELP for help. See the SMS section of our Terms of Service for the full program terms.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All of the above categories exclude text-messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

5. Payments

Card payments are handled directly by Stripe, a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. ZooLots never sees or stores your full card number. Stripe's handling of your payment data is governed by Stripe's own privacy policy.

6. Cookies and analytics

We use a first-party cookie to keep you signed in. With your consent (via our cookie banner), we use Google Analytics 4 to understand how the Services are used so we can improve them. You can control cookies through your browser settings; declining optional cookies does not affect your ability to bid or pay.

7. Data retention

We keep your information for as long as your account is active and as needed to provide the Services. We retain transaction, payment, and tax records for as long as required by law (typically several years) even after account closure. When information is no longer needed, we delete or de-identify it.

8. Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards — including encryption in transit and trusted processors like Stripe and Firebase — to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your choices and rights

Notifications: manage email, push, and SMS preferences in Account → Preferences, or reply STOP to opt out of texts.
Access and deletion: request a copy or deletion of your personal information by emailing the address below. We honor verified requests within 30 days, subject to recordkeeping obligations on completed transactions.
California & other states: depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or limit the use of your information, and to not be discriminated against for exercising them. We do not sell personal information.

10. Children

The Services are for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.

11. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. We will revise the “Effective” date above and, for material changes, provide reasonable notice. Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.

12. Contact us

Zoolots LLC, 5107 University Blvd West, Jacksonville, FL 32216
Email: hello@zoolots.com · Phone: (904) 728-6185

We aim to respond to privacy requests within two business days.