1. Introduction

Carolina Auction Group, LLC ("Carolina Auction Group," "CAG," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you visit our website at carolinaauctiongroup.com, register or bid on our online and live simulcast auction platform, or otherwise interact with us. By using our website or platform, you agree to this Policy.

2. Information We Collect

Information you provide to us

Registration and contact details: your name, email address, mobile/phone number, and billing or mailing address.
Verification information: information used to confirm your identity or contact details (for example, an email verification code you enter).
Tax and payment-related information: tax-exemption certificates you submit, and payment details you provide to complete a purchase (note: card payments are handled by third-party payment processors; we do not store full card numbers).
Communications: information you provide when you contact us, request a consultation, or respond to our messages.

Bidding and transaction information

Your bids, purchases, invoices, payment status, and account activity in connection with our auctions.

Information collected automatically

When you use our website or platform, we and our service providers may automatically collect standard technical data such as your IP address, browser and device type, pages viewed, and usage and log data. Our platform also uses a secure session cookie to keep staff signed in to administrative areas. Our website may use cookies and similar technologies as described in Section 4.

Information from third parties

We may receive information about you from payment processors, identity- or email-delivery service providers, and third-party bidding platforms (such as HiBid) that we use to conduct auctions.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Register, verify, and approve bidders and maintain your account;
Conduct our auctions, accept bids, process purchases and payments, and issue invoices and settlement records;
Communicate with you about your registration, bids, purchases, and our auctions, and — with your consent where required — send marketing and updates;
Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, non-payment, and security issues;
Comply with our legal, tax, and recordkeeping obligations, including the sale-record requirements of North Carolina auction law; and
Operate, maintain, and improve our website, platform, and services.

4. Cookies & Similar Technologies

Our website and platform may use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember preferences, keep the site secure, and understand how our site is used. You can usually control cookies through your browser settings; disabling some cookies may affect how the site or platform functions.

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only as needed to run our business, including with:

Service providers who host our website and platform, deliver our emails, and process payments on our behalf, under agreements that limit their use of your information;
Third-party auction platforms (such as HiBid) when an auction is conducted or simulcast through them;
Sellers/consignors, to the extent necessary to complete a sale and provide required settlement information;
Legal and safety recipients, when required by law, subpoena, or legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of CAG, our bidders, or others; and
A successor, in connection with a merger, sale, or transfer of our business or assets.

6. Third-Party Platforms

Some auctions may be conducted or streamed through third-party platforms such as HiBid, and payments may be handled by third-party processors. Your use of those platforms is also governed by their own privacy policies and terms, which we encourage you to review. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties.

7. Data Retention

We keep your information for as long as needed to provide our services, maintain your account, and comply with our legal and recordkeeping obligations — including North Carolina requirements to retain certain sale and purchaser records — after which we delete or de-identify it in accordance with our retention practices.

8. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information, and we limit access to it. Card payments are processed by third-party processors, and we do not store full card numbers. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Choices & Rights

Marketing communications: you may opt out of marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link, or by contacting us. We may still send you non-promotional messages about your registration, bids, and purchases.
Access and updates: you may ask us to review, correct, or update the personal information we hold about you.
Deletion: you may ask us to delete your personal information, subject to information we must retain for legal, tax, or recordkeeping reasons.

Depending on where you live, you may have additional privacy rights under your state’s or country’s laws. To exercise any of these choices, contact us using the details in Section 14.

10. Email & Text Communications

By registering, you agree that we may contact you by email, text message, and/or phone about your registration, bids, purchases, and our auctions. Message and data rates may apply to text messages. You can opt out of marketing messages at any time as described in Section 9; we may still send transactional messages necessary to complete your transactions.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our website and platform are intended for adults. Bidders must be at least 18 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.

12. Third-Party Links

Our website and communications may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites, and this Policy does not apply to them.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Effective date" above and post the updated Policy. Your continued use of our website or platform after an update means you accept the revised Policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your information, contact us:

Carolina Auction Group, LLC

Attn: Privacy — Keith Yow (NCAL #9422) / Todd Street (NCAL #9983)

Mailing address: 4100B Renee Ford Rd, Stanfield, NC 28163 • Phone: 704.622.6777 or 704.791.4009 • Email: admin@carolinaauctiongroup.com • Web: www.carolinaauctiongroup.com