This Privacy Policy explains how Ashland Auction Group (“Ashland Auction,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you visit our website, create an account, participate in auctions, subscribe to email or text alerts, or otherwise interact with us.
1. Data We Collect
1.1 Personal Information You Provide
We may collect personally identifiable information that you choose to provide to us, including:
- Name and contact information (such as your address, email address, and phone number)
- Account information (such as username, password, and communication preferences)
- Billing, payment, and transaction details related to your bids and purchases
- Information you provide when you contact us or interact with our team
In limited cases and only with your explicit permission, we may access additional information on your device to support a specific feature (for example, pre-filling fields). We do not access your phone book, messages, or calendar unless you clearly authorize it for a defined purpose.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
We use technologies like cookies (small files stored on your browser), web beacons, and unique device identifiers to identify your computer or device and deliver a better experience. Our systems may automatically log information such as:
- Browser type, operating system, and device information
- IP address and general location information derived from it
- Pages you view, links you click, and searches you perform
- Date and time of your visits and referring URLs
Our systems may associate this information with your account and activity in the course of providing our services, such as your bidding history and watchlist activity.
1.3 Children’s Information
We do not knowingly contact or collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us at sales@ashlandauction.com so we can promptly obtain parental consent or remove the information.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for purposes including:
- Operating, maintaining, and improving our website and services
- Creating and managing your AshlandAuction.com account
- Processing registrations, bids, purchases, payments, and settlements
- Sending transactional communications, such as auction reminders, confirmations, receipts, and status updates
- Providing customer support and responding to your inquiries
- Sending marketing emails or text alerts when you opt in
- Personalizing content and recommendations based on your interests and history
- Preventing fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
- Complying with legal, tax, and regulatory requirements
3. Location Data
To customize our service for you and support fraud prevention, we and our partners may collect, use, and share approximate or precise location data, depending on your device settings and permissions. Location data may be derived from your IP address or from device-level location services, where enabled.
Where required, we will obtain your consent to collect or use precise location data. Location data is generally used in an anonymized or aggregated form to provide and improve our services.
4. Your Choices, Access, and Deletion
4.1 Accessing and Updating Your Information
You can sign into your account to view or update certain personal information we have stored, such as your name, address, email, phone number, and communication preferences. You may also contact us at sales@ashlandauction.com to request access or updates.
4.2 Requesting Deletion
You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal or operational exceptions. For example, we may retain information as needed:
- To complete transactions or provide services you have requested
- To maintain accurate auction and transaction records
- To comply with legal, tax, or regulatory obligations
- To detect, prevent, or investigate fraud or abuse
4.3 Email Preferences
If you receive marketing or promotional emails from us, you can unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link in those emails or by contacting us at sales@ashlandauction.com.
Even if you opt out of marketing emails, we may still send you transactional or service-related emails as permitted by law, such as account notices, auction receipts, and important updates about your bids or purchases.
4.4 SMS/Text Message Preferences
If you opt in to receive SMS/text alerts, you can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message you receive from us. To receive assistance by text, you may reply HELP.
Opting out of SMS alerts does not affect your ability to receive email communications, and opting out of marketing emails does not automatically stop SMS alerts. You can manage these preferences separately.
5. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including providing our services, meeting legal and accounting obligations, resolving disputes, and enforcing our agreements.
Certain categories of information may be retained for extended periods or indefinitely where legally permissible, including:
- Bidding and transaction history
- Account registration and identity verification records
- Compliance and audit records
- Fraud prevention and security logs
SMS opt-in and opt-out records may be retained as long as necessary to demonstrate compliance with applicable messaging regulations and industry standards.
6. Sharing of Information
We may share personal and anonymous information with trusted companies who help us operate our business and deliver services, including:
- Email service providers and SMS/text messaging platforms
- Payment processors and financial institutions
- Cloud hosting and data storage providers
- Customer support tools and communication platforms
- Advertising and analytics providers
- Vendors and contractors that perform services on our behalf
These service providers are permitted to use your information only as needed to perform services for us and are required to keep it confidential and to take reasonable steps to safeguard it.
We may also share limited information with trusted partners to provide you with relevant offers, services, or advertising, where permitted by law and your preferences.
6.1 SMS Privacy
No mobile information will be shared or collected with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
6.2 California Privacy Notice
California residents are legally entitled (at no charge and no more than once annually) to request information about how we may have shared your information with others for direct marketing purposes. To request this information, please contact us at sales@ashlandauction.com.
7. Email Communications Policy
By providing your email address, you may receive:
- Transactional emails related to auctions, bids, purchases, and account activity
- Account and security notices
- Marketing and promotional emails, if you opt in or where permitted by law
You can opt out of marketing and promotional emails at any time using the unsubscribe link in those emails or by contacting us. Opting out of marketing emails does not affect our ability to send important transactional or service-related communications.
8. SMS/Text Messaging Policy
When you opt in to receive SMS/text alerts from Ashland Auction Group, you agree to receive messages about auctions, account updates, reminders, and related information.
- Program: Ashland Auction Text Alerts
- Message Frequency: Message frequency varies based on your activity and preferences.
- Opt-Out: You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message.
- Help: Reply HELP for assistance.
- Rates: Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile plan.
- Carrier Disclaimer: Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
SMS opt-in data and personal information obtained for text messaging will not be shared with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.
9. Cookies, Tracking, and Advertising
Ad companies and analytics providers may use cookies and similar technologies to collect anonymous data about your activity on our site and other sites or apps over time. This information may be used to provide more relevant content and advertising.
Interest and location data may be linked to your device but is not directly linked to your name or other identifying details. You can manage cookies and certain tracking technologies through your browser or device settings. Some features of our site may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
10. Service Providers, Vendors, and Analytics
In order to serve you, we may share your personal and anonymous information with other companies, including vendors, contractors, and analytics providers. Their use of your information is limited to the services they perform on our behalf and is subject to obligations to keep the information confidential and reasonably secure.
Analytics companies may access anonymous data (such as your IP address or device ID) to help us understand how our services are used. They report insights in aggregate form and do not share data in a way that identifies individual users.
11. Special Situations and Legal Disclosures
We may disclose identifiable or anonymous information in limited circumstances, including:
- With your express consent
- When we have a good faith belief that disclosure is required by law, regulation, or legal process
- When we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or others
- To any successor or purchaser in connection with a merger, acquisition, liquidation, dissolution, or sale of assets
Your consent will not be required for disclosure in these cases, but we will attempt to notify you where legally and practically possible.
12. Data Security
We and our vendors take reasonable steps to safeguard the data we hold, including technical, administrative, and physical security measures designed to protect against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
13. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not operated by Ashland Auction Group. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
Our privacy policy may change from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, provide additional notice (such as by posting a banner or sending an email).
Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
15. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
Email: sales@ashlandauction.com
Phone: 410-488-3124