Privacy Policy
The Commercial Trader Ltd (“we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, store and share personal information when you use https://thecommercialtrader.com (“our site”).
This policy applies to visitors to our website, businesses advertising products or services on the platform, and users who submit enquiries through our website.
For the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (“PECR”), the data controller is The Commercial Trader Ltd.
By using our website you acknowledge the practices described in this policy.
Information We May Collect From You
We may collect and process the following information about you:
Information You Provide to Us
You may provide information to us by:
- creating an account
- placing advertisements
- submitting enquiries
- contacting us by phone, email or online forms
- subscribing to services or communications
- reporting issues with the website
This information may include:
- your name
- business name
- address or location
- email address
- telephone number
- account login details
- listing information
- photographs or uploaded content
- enquiry information
- payment information where applicable
Information We Collect Automatically
When you use our site we may automatically collect technical information including:
- IP address
- browser type and version
- operating system and platform
- device information
- pages viewed and searches performed
- referral sources
- website interaction data
- dates and times of visits
We use this information to improve website functionality, monitor performance, maintain security and better understand how users interact with our platform.
Information We Receive From Third Parties
We may receive information from analytics providers, advertising networks, payment processors, technical service providers and other business partners where relevant to the operation of our website and services.
Dealer and Advertiser Accounts
Businesses such as dealerships, traders, sellers or service providers may create accounts and advertise products or services on our platform.
When advertisers create listings or profiles we may collect information including:
- business name
- contact details
- telephone numbers
- email addresses
- business location
- product information
- images and listing content
Information included within advertisements or dealer profiles may be publicly visible on the website so that potential buyers can contact advertisers directly.
By submitting listings to our platform, advertisers acknowledge that the information they choose to publish may be viewed and used by members of the public for the purpose of contacting them regarding advertised products or services.
Customer Enquiries
Users of our website may submit enquiries regarding advertised products or services through features such as “Contact Seller” forms.
When an enquiry is submitted we may collect:
- your name
- email address
- telephone number (if provided)
- enquiry content
- listing reference information
Your enquiry details will normally be forwarded to the relevant advertiser or seller so they can respond directly to your enquiry.
We may also retain enquiry records for customer support, compliance, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, record keeping and business analysis purposes.
Sharing Enquiries With Related Service Providers
The Commercial Trader may share enquiry details with selected third-party providers offering services related to a user’s enquiry.
These providers may include businesses offering:
- finance services
- insurance products
- warranty services
- inspections
- transport or delivery services
- other related commercial services
We may share this information where we believe there is a legitimate business interest in connecting users with relevant services related to their enquiry.
Users are clearly informed about this sharing when submitting an enquiry and are provided with the opportunity to opt out of such sharing at the point their data is collected.
Where users choose to opt out, enquiry information will not be shared with these related service providers for these purposes.
Third-party providers may contact users by telephone, email or SMS regarding services relevant to the original enquiry.
These providers are independently responsible for complying with applicable data protection and electronic marketing laws, including PECR requirements where applicable.
How We Use Personal Information
We may use personal information to:
- operate and maintain our marketplace platform
- manage user accounts and advertisements
- publish listings
- facilitate communication between buyers and sellers
- provide customer support
- process payments
- improve website functionality and user experience
- monitor website usage and analytics
- prevent fraud, abuse or misuse of the platform
- comply with legal and regulatory obligations
- send service-related communications
- provide information about relevant products or services where permitted by law
Lawful Bases for Processing
Under UK GDPR, we rely on a number of lawful bases for processing personal data, including:
- performance of a contract
- compliance with legal obligations
- legitimate interests
- consent where required
Where processing is based on legitimate interests, we seek to balance those interests against users’ privacy rights and provide clear opportunities to object where appropriate.
Dealer Responsibilities
Advertisers, dealers and sellers who receive personal information through enquiries submitted via our platform are responsible for handling that information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
Dealers must only use enquiry information for legitimate business purposes connected with the enquiry or any permissions provided by the user.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts where we believe personal information has been misused.
Disclosure of Your Information
We may share personal information with:
- advertisers or sellers connected to a user enquiry
- service providers assisting in the operation of our website
- hosting providers and IT support providers
- analytics providers
- payment processors
- selected related service providers where users have not opted out
- legal, regulatory or law enforcement authorities where required
- professional advisers including accountants, insurers and legal advisers
We may also disclose personal information:
- if required by law
- to enforce our terms and conditions
- to protect the rights, property or safety of our business, users or others
- in connection with the sale, acquisition or restructuring of our business
Cookies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to distinguish users from one another and improve the browsing experience.
Cookies may be used for:
- website functionality
- analytics and performance monitoring
- remembering preferences
- improving user experience
Where required by law, we will request consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device.
Users can manage cookie preferences through browser settings.
Data Storage and Security
Information may be stored on secure servers operated by us or trusted third-party service providers.
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, misuse, loss or disclosure.
Unfortunately, transmission of information over the internet is not completely secure and users submit information at their own risk.
International Transfers
In some circumstances, personal information may be transferred to or stored outside the United Kingdom where service providers operate internationally.
Where this occurs, we take appropriate safeguards to ensure personal data remains protected in accordance with UK data protection laws.
Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for:
- operating the platform
- responding to enquiries
- maintaining business records
- legal and regulatory compliance
- fraud prevention and dispute resolution
When information is no longer required it will be securely deleted or anonymised where appropriate.
Your Rights
Under UK data protection law you may have rights including:
- the right to access personal information we hold about you
- the right to request correction of inaccurate information
- the right to request deletion of information in certain circumstances
- the right to restrict or object to certain processing activities
- the right to withdraw consent where consent has been relied upon
- the right to object to direct marketing
Requests relating to personal data may be sent to [email protected].
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites operated by advertisers or other external businesses.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites and users should review their privacy policies separately.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time.
Any updates will be posted on this page and, where appropriate, notified to users by email or through our website.
Contact
Questions, comments and requests regarding this privacy policy should be sent to:
[email protected]
