Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
The Kite Guys ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and how we keep it safe. By using our website at www.kiteguys.ca or placing an order with us, you agree to the practices described here.
This policy is governed by Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and the Alberta Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
What Information We Collect
Information You Provide to Us
When you place an order, create an account, contact us, visit our store in Bentley, or interact with us at a kite festival or event, we may collect:
- Your name
- Mailing and shipping address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Order details and purchase history
- Communications you send to us by email or phone
In-store and festival purchases may involve collecting your name, email address, and transaction details directly at the point of sale or sign-up.
Payment Information
We do not store your credit card information. All online payment transactions are processed securely through Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment processor. Stripe's privacy practices are governed by their own privacy policy, available at stripe.com.
If you pay by e-transfer, only your email address is used for that transaction.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, certain information is collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies. This includes:
- Pages visited and time spent on the site
- Browser type and device information
- Referring website or search terms that brought you to us
- General geographic location (city or region level)
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Process and fulfill your orders
- Communicate with you about your order status, shipping, and returns
- Respond to questions and customer service requests
- Send order confirmations and shipping notifications
- Improve our website and product offerings
- Send promotional emails or newsletters, if you have opted in
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Third-Party Services We Use
To operate our website and fulfill orders, we share certain information with trusted third parties. Each of these services has their own privacy policy governing how they handle your data.
BigCommerce
Our website is hosted and powered by BigCommerce. BigCommerce processes customer account data, order information, and storefront activity on our behalf. For more information, visit bigcommerce.com/privacy.
Stripe
Credit card payments are processed by Stripe. We do not see or store your full card number. For more information, visit stripe.com/privacy.
Canada Post and Courier Services
To deliver your order, we share your name and shipping address with Canada Post and, where applicable, courier partners including Purolator, Canpar, FedEx, or UPS Canada.
Mailchimp
We use Mailchimp to manage our email newsletter and promotional communications. When you subscribe to our mailing list, whether through our website, in our store, or at a festival or event, your name and email address are stored in Mailchimp. Mailchimp is operated by Intuit Inc. For more information, visit mailchimp.com/legal/privacy.
Google Analytics and Google Search Console
We use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to understand how visitors find and use our website. These tools collect anonymized data about site traffic and user behaviour. Google may use cookies to collect this information. For more information, visit policies.google.com/privacy.
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on, available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and enable essential functions such as keeping items in your shopping cart. Cookies may also be set by third-party services we use, including Google Analytics.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the site.
Email Communications
We collect email addresses through our website, in our Bentley store, and at kite festivals and events across Canada. If you provide your email address and consent to receive communications, we will use it to send you updates, offers, and kite-related content. Our email list is managed through Mailchimp.
You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us directly at kiteguys@shaw.ca.
We do not send unsolicited commercial email. Email addresses collected in person at events are only added to our mailing list with your explicit consent.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, including for order records, warranty purposes, and as required by applicable law. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us.
Your Rights
As a Canadian resident, you have the right to:
- Request access to the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Withdraw consent for non-essential uses of your information
- Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal obligations
To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information below.
How We Protect Your Information
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Our website uses SSL encryption for all transactions. Payment data is handled exclusively by Stripe and never passes through our servers in raw form.
Children's Privacy
Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will remove it promptly.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the date at the bottom of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us:
The Kite Guys
Bentley, Alberta
Phone: 403-658-5483
Email: kiteguys@shaw.ca