Privacy Policy

Information you give us

• Phone number, used to create and sign in to your account
• Name, email address and mailing address
• Business details, if you register as a dealer or consignor
• Listing content: photos, videos, descriptions, VINs and documents you upload
• Bids, offers, guarantees and messages you submit on the platform
• Signatures on bills of sale, listing agreements and other contracts
• Payment card details, which are collected and stored by our payment processor, not by us

Information collected automatically

• Device, browser and IP address information
• Pages viewed, items watched and actions taken on the platform
• Cookies and similar technologies (see Cookies below)

• Create and secure your account and verify your identity
• Run auctions: accept bids, notify winners, generate invoices and contracts
• Process payments, deposits and bid holds through our payment processor
• Send transactional notifications about your bids, listings, invoices and account
• Send auction announcements and reminders where you have agreed to receive them
• Prevent fraud, enforce the Auction Rules and meet legal obligations
• Improve the platform and understand how it is used

Garthbid is a phone-first platform. By creating an account you agree to receive transactional text messages related to your account and activity, such as sign-in codes, bid updates, auction results and invoices. You may also receive auction announcements and reminders.

Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies with your activity. Reply STOP to any message to opt out of promotional texts, or contact us at info@garthbid.com. Opting out of promotional texts does not stop the transactional messages required to operate your account.

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only:

• With the other party to a transaction. When you win or sell an item, the buyer and seller receive each other's name and contact details as needed to complete the sale.
• With service providers who help us operate the platform, including hosting and infrastructure, authentication, payment processing, text messaging, email delivery, video hosting, vehicle history reporting and analytics. They may only use your information to provide services to us.
• Publicly, as part of a listing. Photos, videos, descriptions and bid history on an item are visible to anyone. Bidder identities are shown in abbreviated form.
• For legal reasons, when required by law, court order or government request, or to protect the rights, property or safety of Garthbid, our users or the public.
• In a business transfer, if Garthbid is involved in a merger, acquisition or sale of assets.

Card payments, deposits and bid holds are processed by a third-party payment processor. Your full card number is sent directly to the processor and is never stored on our servers. We keep only a tokenized reference and the last four digits so we can identify your payment method.

Cookies and similar technologies are used for:

• Functionality: keeping you signed in and remembering your preferences
• Performance: understanding how the platform is used so we can improve it
• Analytics and advertising: measuring the effectiveness of our marketing

You can disable cookies in your browser settings. Doing so may prevent you from signing in or using some features.

We keep your information for as long as your account is active and as needed to provide the platform. Records of completed transactions, invoices, bills of sale and tax documents are retained for as long as required by Canadian tax and commercial law, generally seven years, even after an account is deleted.

We use industry-standard safeguards, including encrypted connections and access controls, to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for keeping your phone number and sign-in codes private.

• Access and update your profile information at any time from your account
• Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Delete your account, subject to the retention requirements above
• Opt out of promotional text messages and emails

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@garthbid.com. We will respond within 30 days.

The platform is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

Garthbid operates from Canada. Our service providers may store or process information in Canada, the United States or other countries. By using the platform you consent to this transfer.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date above shows when it was last changed. Continued use of the platform after a change means you accept the updated policy.

Questions about this policy or your personal information can be sent to info@garthbid.com.