Effective Date: October 2025

Introduction

BuildersTogether LLC (“we”, “us”, “our”, or “BuildersTogether”) operates the BuildersTogether marketplace, a platform for buying, selling, and reusing construction and demolition (C&D) materials. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information when you visit or use our website and services. By accessing or using our services you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us and information we collect automatically when you use our services.

  • Information you provide:

    • Account registration details: name, email address, phone number, password (hashed), business/store name, store address, and other profile information.
    • Payment and billing information: payment method details processed securely via Stripe (we do not store full card numbers on our servers; payment details are handled by Stripe).
    • Store and product listings: product titles, descriptions, images, prices, shipping options, item condition, and any other details you include in listings.
    • Communications: messages you send via our messaging system, inquiries, reviews, ratings, and support requests.
    • Documents and verification: government IDs, business documents, certificates, or other files provided for vendor verification.
    • Marketing preferences and opt-ins: newsletter subscriptions and promotional preferences.
    • Coupons and promotions data: codes used or created, discount details, and redemption history.

  • Information collected automatically:

    • Usage data: pages visited, search queries (including live search data), clicks, interactions, product views, and other analytics.
    • Device and technical data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and crash or performance data.
    • Location data: approximate location inferred from IP address and exact location if you grant permission (for distance filtering and store map features).
    • Cookies and similar technologies: cookies, web beacons, and local storage used for authentication, preferences, analytics, and advertising.

How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for purposes that include:

  • Providing and maintaining the marketplace, including account creation, product listings, search, ordering, checkout, shipping options, and pickup coordination.
  • Processing payments and refunds through Stripe, and holding balances for refund windows as described in our payout policies.
  • Enabling communication between buyers and sellers through our messaging system and providing moderation tools for admins (admins may access conversations for safety, quality control, and to block phone numbers or email exchange where permitted).
  • Verifying vendor identities and business information to provide verified marks or badges.
  • Personalizing user experience, improving search (including live search), and surfacing featured or advertised stores.
  • Managing promotional features: administering coupons, seller-created coupons, featured stores, paid advertising, and seller badges.
  • Fraud prevention, security, and compliance with legal obligations.
  • Customer support, dispute resolution, returns, warranties, and facilitating RMA (Dokan RMA) and product inquiries.
  • Analytics and product development to improve services and user experience.
  • Sending transactional communications, updates, and marketing (with your consent where required).

Legal Bases for Processing (for EEA/UK users)

Where applicable, our legal bases include performance of a contract, consent, legitimate interests (for improving our services and security), and compliance with legal obligations.

Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We may share personal information as follows:

  • With other users: seller and buyer contact details and messaging content necessary to complete transactions, process pickups, or deliveries.
  • Service providers: third parties who provide services such as payment processing (Stripe), hosting and infrastructure, email delivery, analytics, maps (Google Maps), and advertising platforms.
  • Vendors and partners: shipping providers and logistics partners for order fulfillment.
  • Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
  • Legal and safety reasons: to comply with legal obligations, respond to lawful requests, enforce our Terms of Service, or protect the rights, property, or safety of BuildersTogether, users, or the public.
  • Aggregated or anonymized information: we may share non-identifiable data publicly or with partners.

Stripe and Payment Processing

Payments are processed through Stripe. We do not store full credit card numbers on our servers. Stripe’s use of your information is governed by Stripe’s privacy policy. We may hold funds in our Stripe account for up to 30 days to allow for buyer refund requests as described in our payout and refund policy.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to operate the site, remember preferences, enable live search, track usage, and deliver relevant marketing. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings and our cookie consent tool.

User Controls and Choices

  • Account settings: you can access, update, or delete your account information from your dashboard.
  • Communication preferences: opt out of promotional emails; transactional emails are required for service use.
  • Location sharing: you can disable location permissions in your device or browser at any time (disabling may affect distance-based features).
  • Cookies: control cookies via browser settings and the cookie consent banner.

Data Retention

We retain personal information as long as necessary to provide services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and for internal business purposes. When no longer needed, we delete or aggregate information in a manner that does not identify you.

Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. These measures include encrypted connections (HTTPS), secure handling of payment data via Stripe, access controls, and regular security reviews. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

International Transfers

BuildersTogether operates in the United States and may transfer, store, and process personal information in the U.S. and other countries. By using our services, you consent to such transfers subject to applicable law.

Children’s Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we learn we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it.

User-Generated Content

Content you post (listings, reviews, messages, images) may be visible to other users and the public. By posting, you grant BuildersTogether a license to use and display that content to operate and promote the marketplace. Do not post personal data of others without consent.

Admin Access to Communications

Admins have access to user communications for moderation, dispute resolution, and enforcement. Admins may, where necessary and lawful, block exchange of phone numbers and email addresses through messaging features to protect privacy and enforce policies.

Vendors, Advertising, and Featured Stores

Sellers may pay for featured placement or advertising. Paid features may cause seller profiles and listings to appear more prominently. Vendors who earn high ratings or verified badges may also receive increased visibility. Visibility decisions are made according to paid promotions and internal algorithms.

Buyer Refunds and Payout Holds

Buyers have 30 days from delivery to request a refund. To ensure sufficient balance for potential refunds, funds may be held in our Stripe account for up to 30 days before vendor payouts, consistent with our payout policy.

Third-Party Links

Our site may contain links to third-party websites and services whose privacy practices differ from ours. We are not responsible for those practices; review third-party privacy policies before providing personal information.

Your Rights (where applicable)

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or port your personal data, and to object to certain processing. To exercise rights, contact us at builderstogetherbusiness@gmail.com. We may require verification before acting on requests.

Reporting Abuse and Complaints

Report abuse, policy violations, or unsafe content via our reporting tools or contact builderstogetherbusiness@gmail.com. We will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include suspension or removal of accounts.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in practices or legal requirements. We will post updated policies with a revised effective date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

Contact Us

For questions, privacy requests, or concerns, contact:

Acknowledgment

By using BuildersTogether, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.