Privacy Policy

Privacy information for auction companies, sellers, consignors, bidders, buyers and visitors

This Privacy Policy explains how Ablepro, Inc. d/b/a BidBuyZoom ("BidBuyZoom," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information when you visit bidbuyzoom.com, use BidBuyZoom applications or auction pages, create or manage an account, host or participate in an auction, communicate with us, or otherwise use our related services (collectively, the "Platform").

This Policy applies to visitors, auction companies and their personnel, auctioneers, sellers, consignors, bidders, buyers, and other individuals whose information is handled through the Platform. It should be read with the BidBuyZoom Terms of Use and any privacy notice provided by the auction company conducting a particular auction.

Privacy laws use terms such as "personal information" and "personal data." In this Policy, "personal information" means information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or can reasonably be linked to an individual or household, subject to exclusions under applicable law.

1. Who is responsible for personal information

BidBuyZoom and auction companies have different responsibilities depending on the information and purpose involved.

• BidBuyZoom as a business or controller. We determine how and why personal information is used for Platform accounts, authentication, security, fraud prevention, Platform administration, customer support, our direct billing and business records, service improvement, legal compliance, and our own communications.
• Auction companies as businesses or controllers. An auction company generally determines how and why it uses information for bidder approval, auction registration, listings, bids, invoices, payments it receives, seller and consignor relationships, taxes, pickup, shipping, refunds, disputes, and transaction records. Its separate privacy notice may also apply.
• BidBuyZoom as a service provider or processor. When we host or process auction data on an auction company's documented instructions, the auction company is generally responsible for responding to privacy requests about that data. We will support the auction company as required by contract and law.

If you are uncertain who controls information about a particular auction or transaction, contact the auction company first or contact us at contact@ablepro.net. We will direct the request appropriately.

2. Personal information we collect

The information we collect depends on your role, the auction, the features used, and legal requirements. It may include:

• Identifiers and contact details, such as name, username, mailing and pickup addresses, email address, telephone number, account identifier, business name, job title, and signature.
• Account and authentication information, such as password hashes, login history, security settings, verification status, session information, and records of authorized users. We do not store passwords in readable form.
• Auction and transaction information, such as registrations, bidder numbers, watchlists, bids, maximum or proxy bids, winning status, listings, item interests, purchase history, invoices, buyer's premiums, taxes, deposits, refunds, pickup and shipping selections, and communications about a transaction.
• Auction company seller and consignor information, such as company details, licenses, authorized personnel, contracts, settlement records, payout instructions, tax forms, inventory and listing data, and information supplied to establish authority to sell property.
• Payment information, such as payment method type, billing address, transaction identifiers, authorization status, limited card details such as brand and last four digits, chargebacks, and payout status. Full payment-card numbers are generally collected and stored by the payment processor rather than BidBuyZoom.
• Identity and compliance information, when reasonably necessary, such as date of birth or age confirmation, government identification, taxpayer information, resale or exemption documentation, sanctions-screening results, licensing information, and records needed for regulated property or fraud prevention.
• Communications and support information, such as emails, messages, call notes, support requests, survey responses, complaints, dispute materials, and feedback.
• Device internet and usage information, such as IP address, browser and device type, operating system, language, pages and features used, referring URLs, approximate location derived from IP address, cookie or similar identifiers, timestamps, error logs, and security events.
• Content you provide, such as listing descriptions, photographs, documents, profile details, and other information submitted through the Platform.
• Inferences and risk indicators, such as preferences derived from activity and signals used to detect fraud, abuse, account compromise, prohibited conduct, or transaction risk.

Please do not submit sensitive information that is unnecessary for the Platform or the transaction. Auction companies should collect and upload only information they are authorized to process.

3. Sources of personal information

We collect personal information from:

• you, including when you register, bid, list property, purchase, contact support, or communicate through the Platform;
• auction companies and their personnel, including information used to create auctions, approve bidders, invoice buyers, manage consignors, and complete transactions;
• other transaction participants, such as sellers, consignors, buyers, authorized agents, shippers, and pickup contacts;
• payment processors, identity and fraud-prevention providers, communications vendors, hosting providers, analytics services, and other service providers;
• devices and browsers through cookies, logs, pixels, software development kits, and similar technologies; and
• public records, government sources, sanctions lists, and other lawful sources when verification or compliance is necessary.

4. How we use personal information

We use personal information to:

• provide, operate, maintain, and improve the Platform;
• create and administer accounts, authenticate users, and manage permissions;
• enable auction registration, listings, bidding, invoicing, payment status, pickup, shipping, and other transaction functions;
• provide auction companies with the tools and records needed to conduct their auctions and serve bidders, buyers, sellers, and consignors;
• process our fees and subscriptions and support payment processing selected by an auction company;
• communicate about bids, auction changes, invoices, purchases, account activity, security, service updates, and support;
• personalize settings, remember preferences, measure use, troubleshoot, test, and develop features;
• verify identity, authority, age, licenses, tax status, and eligibility where appropriate;
• detect, investigate, prevent, and address fraud, shill bidding, payment abuse, security incidents, violations, and other harmful or unlawful activity;
• enforce agreements, resolve disputes, protect rights and safety, comply with law and legal process, and maintain required records; and
• send marketing communications when permitted, subject to applicable consent and opt-out rights.

5. How we disclose personal information

We may disclose personal information to the following categories of recipients for the purposes described in this Policy:

• Auction companies and transaction participants. Bidder registration, bids, contact details, invoices, pickup or shipping information, and related records may be provided to the auction company and, when reasonably necessary, to sellers, consignors, buyers, authorized agents, shippers, or other participants. Auction companies may download and retain transaction records under their own policies.
• Service providers and processors. We use vendors for cloud hosting, data storage, software, communications, customer support, analytics, security, identity verification, fraud prevention, payment processing, document handling, and professional services. They may process information under contractual restrictions appropriate to their role.
• Payment and financial parties. Information may be disclosed to payment processors, banks, card networks, payout providers, and fraud or chargeback services to authorize, settle, reconcile, or dispute transactions.
• Legal compliance and protection. We may disclose information to courts, regulators, law enforcement, government agencies, rights holders, insurers, auditors, and advisers when we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to comply with law, respond to process, investigate misconduct, enforce agreements, or protect rights, property, safety, or the Platform.
• Business transactions. Information may be disclosed in connection with a financing, merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, bankruptcy, due diligence process, or similar transaction, subject to appropriate confidentiality protections.
• At your direction or with consent. We may disclose information when you direct us to do so, enable an integration, or otherwise consent.

Mobile telephone numbers and SMS opt-in data are never disclosed to third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes (see Section 12).

We may use and disclose information that has been aggregated or deidentified so that it cannot reasonably be linked to you. We will not attempt to reidentify deidentified information except as permitted by law to test our deidentification processes.

6. Auction visibility and public information

Auction activity is not always private. Depending on the auction settings, bidder aliases, bid amounts, bid history, sale results, listing information, seller information, or other auction details may be visible to other users or the public. Auction companies may publish results or maintain legally required auction records. Do not place confidential or unnecessary personal information in public listing fields, item descriptions, photographs, usernames, or messages intended for broad distribution.

7. Cookies and similar technologies

We and our service providers may use cookies, local storage, pixels, logs, and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember preferences, secure accounts, prevent fraud, understand Platform use, diagnose problems, and improve performance. Some cookies are necessary for the Platform to function. Where required, we request consent before using optional technologies and provide a way to manage preferences.

Browser controls may allow you to block or delete cookies, but doing so can prevent account, bidding, or other Platform features from working correctly. We honor legally recognized universal opt-out preference signals, such as Global Privacy Control, when required and when the signal applies to the relevant browser or device.

8. Sale sharing and targeted advertising

BidBuyZoom does not sell personal information for monetary consideration. We do not use personal information to target advertisements to you across unaffiliated websites or services based on activity over time. If our practices change in a way that constitutes a "sale," "sharing," or targeted advertising under applicable law, we will update this Policy and provide required opt-out methods before or when the change applies.

Disclosures to auction companies, payment processors, and vendors for Platform and transaction purposes are not intended as sales of personal information. Whether a disclosure is legally considered a sale or sharing depends on the applicable law and circumstances.

9. Data retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, including to maintain accounts, provide the Platform, complete transactions, support auction companies, prevent fraud, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, comply with tax, accounting, auction, licensing, payment, and other legal obligations, and maintain security and business continuity.

Retention periods vary by the type of information, the relationship, transaction and dispute history, legal requirements, contractual commitments, sensitivity, and risk. Information may remain for a limited period in backups or archives after deletion from active systems. Auction companies may retain exported or independently collected information under their own retention policies.

10. Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information, including access controls, authentication, logging, encryption where appropriate, vendor management, and incident-response practices. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for using a strong unique password, protecting credentials and devices, limiting authorized users, and promptly reporting suspected unauthorized access to contact@ablepro.net.

11. Your privacy choices and rights

Depending on where you live and subject to legal exceptions, you may have the right to:

• know or access the personal information we process about you;
• correct inaccurate personal information;
• delete personal information;
• receive a portable copy of certain personal information;
• opt out of sale, sharing, targeted advertising, or certain profiling;
• limit certain uses or disclosures of sensitive personal information;
• withdraw consent when processing is based on consent;
• object to or restrict certain processing; and
• appeal a denial of a privacy request.

To submit a request, email contact@ablepro.net with the subject "Privacy Request" or write to the address in Section 20. Describe your request and the account, email address, auction, or transaction involved. We may verify your identity and authority using information reasonably related to the request. We will not discriminate against you for exercising applicable privacy rights.

An authorized agent may submit a request where permitted by law, but we may require proof of authorization and identity verification. If we deny a request, you may appeal by replying to our decision with the subject "Privacy Appeal." You may also contact the privacy regulator or attorney general in your jurisdiction. Some information cannot be deleted or disclosed because of legal obligations, security, fraud prevention, privileges, another person's rights, or other lawful exceptions.

For information controlled by an auction company, we may refer your request to that company. Deleting a BidBuyZoom account does not necessarily delete records an auction company must retain or information held independently by payment processors or other third parties.

12. Communication choices

You may unsubscribe from marketing email using the link in the message. Opting out of marketing email does not stop transactional or service messages concerning accounts, bids, invoices, purchases, auction changes, security, or support. Auction companies may send their own communications and are responsible for honoring opt-outs applicable to those communications.

Text messages. BidBuyZoom sends optional text messages only to bidders who opt in for a specific auction company. The messages concern the bidder's account, bids, won lots, invoices, payments, security, and customer support with that auction company; they are not marketing messages. Reply STOP to any BidBuyZoom text message to opt out, or HELP for help. Mobile telephone numbers, SMS opt-in data, and SMS consent will not be sold, rented, transferred, or shared with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes. Details are in our SMS Privacy Policy and SMS Terms and Conditions.

13. United States state privacy disclosures

State privacy laws may require additional disclosures. During the preceding 12 months, we may have collected the categories described in Section 2 from the sources in Section 3, used them for the purposes in Section 4, and disclosed them to the recipient categories in Section 5. These categories may include identifiers; customer and commercial records; internet or electronic activity; approximate geolocation; professional or employment information; user-provided content that may qualify as audio, electronic, visual, or similar information; inferences; and sensitive personal information such as account credentials, government identifiers, payment authentication information, or precise transaction-related information when provided or required.

We use sensitive personal information only for purposes reasonably necessary to provide requested services, process and secure transactions, authenticate users, prevent fraud, comply with law, and perform other purposes permitted without a right to limit under applicable law. We do not use sensitive personal information to infer characteristics about individuals for advertising.

We do not knowingly sell or share the personal information of consumers under 18. We do not provide financial incentives or differences in service or price in exchange for personal information. If we introduce such a program, we will provide the notices and consent mechanisms required by law.

14. International users

BidBuyZoom is operated from the United States. If you access the Platform from another country, personal information may be transferred to and processed in the United States and other locations where we or our providers operate. Those locations may have different data-protection laws. Where required, we use legally recognized transfer safeguards.

For individuals in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or similar jurisdictions, our legal bases may include performance of a contract, compliance with legal obligations, legitimate interests in operating and securing the Platform and preventing fraud, and consent where required. You may have rights to access, correct, erase, restrict, object, portability, withdraw consent, and complain to a supervisory authority. Auction companies may be separate controllers for auction and transaction data.

15. Children

The Platform is not directed to children under 13, and bidding and purchasing are intended only for adults legally able to contract. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us so we can investigate and take appropriate action. Auction companies must not use the Platform to collect children's information except as lawfully authorized and necessary.

16. Third party services

The Platform may link to or integrate with payment processors, shipping services, mapping tools, social networks, and other third parties. Their privacy policies govern information they collect for their own purposes. We are not responsible for their independent privacy or security practices. Review their notices before providing information or enabling an integration.

17. Automated processing

We may use automated signals to detect fraud, account compromise, prohibited bidding, payment risk, spam, or security threats and to prioritize review. These tools may result in a transaction hold, verification request, or account restriction, but we use human review when appropriate and as required by law. We do not use automated processing to make decisions producing legal or similarly significant effects for targeted advertising purposes.

18. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect changes in the Platform, our practices, or law. We will post the revised Policy and update the effective date. If a change materially affects how we use personal information, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent when required. Prior versions may be retained for legal and recordkeeping purposes.

19. Questions about an auction company

For questions about bidder approval, a particular auction, an invoice, an item, pickup, shipping, a refund, or records retained by an auction company, contact that auction company directly. Its contact information is generally available on the auction page, invoice, or related communication. BidBuyZoom may assist in routing a request but cannot require an independent auction company to delete records it is legally entitled or required to retain.

20. Contact us

Questions, privacy requests, or complaints may be sent to:

Ablepro, Inc. d/b/a BidBuyZoom
Privacy Office
3720 Flowood Drive
Flowood, Mississippi 39232
Email: contact@ablepro.net
Website: https://bidbuyzoom.com