Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

When you register to bid in the Townsend Mercantile Co. Charity Auction, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and information about bids you place.

Anyone may view the auction and current bidding activity without registering. Registration is required only to place a bid.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Verify your identity and account.
• Administer your participation in the auction.
• Send account and bidding notifications.
• Notify winning bidders after the auction closes.
• Contact winning bidders regarding payment, fulfillment, and selection of a charity from the approved list.

Your name, email address, and phone number are not displayed publicly. Public auction pages display only your assigned bidder number.

SMS Messaging

Providing a phone number during registration does not automatically enroll you in SMS notifications.

Users may voluntarily opt in to the Townsend Mercantile Charity Auction SMS program by selecting a separate, unchecked SMS consent checkbox during registration. SMS consent is optional and is not required to register, place a bid, purchase an item, or otherwise participate in the auction.

If you opt in, you may receive transactional SMS messages from Townsend Mercantile related to your auction participation, including bid confirmations, outbid alerts, auction-ending reminders, account or bidding activity notices, and winner notifications.

Message frequency varies based on auction activity. Message and data rates may apply.

You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. Reply HELP for assistance.

We do not sell, rent, transfer, or share mobile phone numbers or SMS opt-in information with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. SMS consent and mobile opt-in information are used solely to provide the messaging services requested by the user and are not transferable to another business or organization.

Data Sharing

We do not sell or rent your personal information.

Limestone Technology Group may process information as a technology service provider solely for the purpose of operating and supporting the auction platform on behalf of Townsend Mercantile Co.

Information necessary to administer winning bids may be accessed by authorized Townsend Mercantile Co. personnel for purposes such as payment, fulfillment, and charity selection.

Mobile phone numbers and SMS consent information are not shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

Data Retention

We retain registration and bidding records for as long as reasonably necessary to administer the auction, fulfill winning bids, maintain appropriate business and financial records, and satisfy applicable legal obligations.

Contact Us

For questions regarding this Privacy Policy, the auction, or your personal information, contact Townsend Mercantile Co. through the auction website.

Technical support for the auction platform is provided by Limestone Technology Group.