Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to OurTownTrades ("Platform," "we," "us," or "our"). This Privacy Policy explains how Our Town Trades, LLC, located at 3015 North Delta Highway, Eugene, OR 97408, collects, uses, protects, and shares your personal information when you use our contractor marketplace platform.

By using OurTownTrades, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use the Platform.

This Privacy Policy applies only to users in the United States. We do not operate in California or serve users outside the U.S.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

For All Users:

• Name and email address (for account creation)
• Phone number (optional)
• Password (encrypted)
• Communication preferences

For Customers:

• Job posting details (title, description, category, budget, timeline)
• Full street address (encrypted in database for distance calculations only)
• Neighborhood description (publicly visible)
• Service preferences (quality tier, contractor count)
• Review content and ratings for contractors

For Contractors:

• Business name, phone, and address
• CCB license number (Construction Contractors Board)
• Insurance information and documents
• Business logo, photos, and gallery images
• Job categories and service radius
• Business hours, description, years in business
• Website URL (if provided)
• Private ratings and reviews of customers (visible only to other contractors)

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Job views, contractor contacts, response times, login activity, last seen timestamps
• IP Addresses: Collected for fraud prevention and security purposes
• Location Data: Geocoded coordinates (latitude/longitude) derived from addresses for distance filtering
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system (standard web server logs)
• Cookies: WordPress login session cookies only (see Section 8)

2.3 Uploaded Documents

Contractors may upload documents such as:

• Insurance certificates (PDF, JPG, PNG)
• License documents
• Professional certifications
• Other business-related documents

Documents are stored securely on our server with file size limits of 10MB per file.

2.4 Payment Information

Payment processing is handled by Stripe, a third-party payment processor. We do not store your credit card information on our servers. Stripe may collect and store payment details in accordance with their privacy policy. For more information, see Stripe's Privacy Policy at https://stripe.com/privacy.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Platform Functionality

• Create and manage user accounts
• Facilitate job postings and contractor matching
• Display contractor profiles and business information
• Enable communication between customers and contractors
• Process subscription payments and manage billing
• Calculate distances between customers and contractors for job matching

3.2 Communications

• Send transactional emails (job notifications, payment confirmations, account updates)
• Send service-related announcements (system maintenance, policy changes)
• Respond to support requests and inquiries
• Send early access job notifications to Boosted subscribers

3.3 Platform Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve features and user experience
• Monitor platform performance and reliability
• Conduct internal research and development
• Track job board effectiveness and contractor performance metrics

Note: All analytics are performed locally on our servers. We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any third-party tracking tools.

3.4 Fraud Prevention and Security

• Detect and prevent fraudulent activity, spam, and abuse
• Verify the authenticity of reviews and business profiles
• Investigate fraud reports and suspicious behavior
• Track IP addresses to identify multiple accounts or fake reviews
• Maintain platform integrity and user safety

3.5 Legal Compliance

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• Enforce our Terms of Service and other policies
• Protect our rights, property, or safety and that of our users
• Respond to lawful requests from public authorities

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Public Information

The following information is publicly visible on the Platform:

• Contractor Profiles: Business name, contact information, job categories, photos, reviews, ratings, quality tier, license information (if verified)
• Job Postings: Job title, description, category, budget range, timeline, neighborhood description (NOT full address)
• Customer Reviews: Review text, star rating, customer first name and last initial, date posted

4.2 Between Platform Users

• Customers to Contractors: When a contractor responds to a job, the customer receives the contractor's contact information (name, phone, email, business profile link)
• Contractors to Contractors: Private customer ratings are visible to other verified contractors to help identify reliable customers
• Customers CANNOT see: Their own private ratings from contractors or any analytics about their account

4.3 Service Providers

We share limited information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate the Platform:

• Stripe: Payment processing (name, email, payment method)
• Google Workspace (SMTP): Email delivery services (name, email address, message content for transactional emails)

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and may only use it to provide services to us.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

• Subpoenas, court orders, or other legal processes
• Requests from law enforcement or government agencies
• Protection of our legal rights or defense against legal claims
• Prevention of fraud, security threats, or illegal activity
• Protection of user safety or public safety

4.5 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on the Platform before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

5. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or destruction. Our security practices include:

• Encryption: Customer addresses are encrypted in our database
• Secure Storage: Data is stored on a secure server with restricted access
• Password Protection: User passwords are hashed and salted using WordPress security standards
• SSL/TLS: All data transmitted between your browser and our server is encrypted using HTTPS
• Access Controls: Limited employee access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Regular Backups: Data is backed up regularly to prevent loss

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

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations. Specific retention periods:

6.1 Active Accounts

• Customer Accounts: Retained while account is active; after 2 years of inactivity, account data may be deleted
• Contractor Accounts (Claimed Businesses): Business profiles persist indefinitely until business is dissolved (verified via Secretary of State) or contractor requests deletion
• Contractor Accounts (Free Tier): Business profile persists; account data retained indefinitely or until deletion requested

6.2 Specific Data Types

• Job Postings: Up to 2 years after job completion or cancellation
• Reviews: Retained indefinitely as part of contractor reputation system
• Contact Form Data: 2 years
• Failed Payment Records: 1 year
• Fraud Reports: 1 year after investigation closes, then purged
• Uploaded Documents: Up to 6 months after document expiration date
• IP Address Logs: Retained for fraud prevention; purged after investigation purposes are fulfilled

6.3 Deleted Accounts

When you request account deletion:

• Customers: Personal data is deleted within 30 days; reviews you left remain visible but are anonymized
• Contractors: Account reverts to Free tier with business profile persisting; personal data (email, password) is deleted within 30 days if complete removal requested
• Legal Exceptions: Some data may be retained longer if required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., resolving disputes, enforcing agreements, fraud prevention)

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 Access and Correction

You may access and update most of your information directly through your account settings. If you need assistance, contact us at OurTownTrades@gmail.com.

7.2 Data Download

You may request a copy of your personal data by emailing OurTownTrades@gmail.com. We will provide your data in a portable format within 30 days of your request.

7.3 Account Deletion

You may request account deletion at any time:

• Customers: Email OurTownTrades@gmail.com to delete your account and personal data
• Contractors: Accounts revert to Free tier (business profile persists). For complete removal of business profile, submit a deletion request via email

Note: Some information may remain in backups for up to 90 days after deletion. Reviews you left will remain visible but will be anonymized.

7.4 Email Opt-Out

You may opt out of certain email communications:

• Marketing Emails: Unsubscribe via link in email footer (we currently send minimal marketing)
• Job Notifications: Disable in account settings (Note: This is the primary notification system for contractors and will significantly reduce platform functionality)
• Transactional Emails: Cannot be disabled (payment confirmations, account security, legal notices)

7.5 Review Management

Contractors cannot request removal of negative reviews. However, you may:

• Flag reviews for moderation if they violate our policies (fraudulent, spam, offensive content)
• Communicate directly with customers to resolve issues and request review updates
• Respond to reviews (feature coming soon)

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

8.1 Cookies We Use

We use minimal cookies on the Platform:

• WordPress Session Cookies: Required for login functionality and session management (can remain active for persistent login until you manually log out)
• Stripe Cookies: Used during payment processing to prevent fraud (managed by Stripe; see their privacy policy)

8.2 What We Don't Use

We explicitly do NOT use:

• Google Analytics or similar web analytics services
• Facebook Pixel or social media tracking pixels
• Third-party advertising cookies
• Cross-site tracking technologies
• Browser fingerprinting

8.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of the Platform (e.g., logging in, maintaining your session).

9. Children's Privacy

OurTownTrades is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. Users must be at least 18 years old to create an account, enter into subscription agreements, or handle billing.

If we discover that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will delete that information immediately. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us at OurTownTrades@gmail.com.

10. Third-Party Links and Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., contractor websites, Stripe payment pages, Oregon CCB license lookup). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by OurTownTrades.

11. Geographic Scope and Legal Compliance

11.1 U.S. Domestic Service Only

OurTownTrades operates exclusively in the United States and serves users in Lane County, Oregon and surrounding areas. We do not operate in California or serve users outside the U.S.

11.2 State Privacy Laws

We comply with applicable Oregon consumer protection laws and general U.S. privacy regulations. If you are a resident of another state with specific privacy laws, you may have additional rights under your state's laws.

11.3 Data Storage

All data is stored on servers located in Eugene, Oregon, USA. Data does not leave U.S. borders.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• We will post a notice on the login page for 30 days
• We may send an email notification to active users for material changes

Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

For data access, correction, or deletion requests, please allow up to 30 days for processing.

Your Privacy Matters

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data responsibly. We will never sell your information to third parties, and we use minimal tracking technologies to respect your privacy while delivering a quality service.

By using OurTownTrades, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.