Privacy Policy

Nothing shady going on here. We use your info to:

• Actually service your vehicle - Can't fix what we don't know about, right?
• Send appointment reminders - So you don't forget that oil change you booked three weeks ago.
• Follow up on work - Making sure that brake job is holding up or that engine light stayed off.
• Process payments - Nobody works for free, including us.
• Keep service records - Helpful when you come back and can't remember when we last changed your transmission fluid.
• Occasional maintenance reminders - If your car's due for something based on our records, we might shoot you a text or email. You can opt out anytime.

We're not selling your email to random marketing companies or calling you about your car's extended warranty. That stuff drives us nuts too.

Yeah, our website uses cookies. Not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately.

What we use 'em for:

• Remember your preferences - So the site doesn't forget you five seconds after you click something.
• Analytics - We use basic tools to see what pages people visit, how long they stay, that sort of thing. Helps us know if our website's actually useful or just looks pretty.
• Forms & functionality - Making sure the contact form doesn't lose what you typed if you navigate away.

Most browsers let you control or block cookies if you're not into them. Just know that some features might not work as smoothly.

We're not tracking every move you make online. We've got cars to fix - don't have time for that level of creepiness.

We can't do everything ourselves, so we work with a few trusted partners:

• Payment processors - Your credit card info goes through secure payment gateways. We never see or store your full card number.
• Email & SMS providers - For sending appointment confirmations and reminders. They're bound by their own privacy policies.
• Parts suppliers - Sometimes we need to share vehicle info to order the right parts. They're not interested in your personal details beyond that.
• Diagnostic software companies - When we plug into your car's computer, some diagnostic tools might sync data. It's anonymized vehicle data, not your personal info.
• Analytics tools - Basic website stats, as mentioned in the cookies section.

All these folks have their own privacy policies and security measures. We only work with companies that take data protection seriously.

We take security pretty seriously around here. Your info is protected through:

• Secure storage systems - Password-protected databases that aren't accessible to just anyone.
• Limited access - Only staff who need your info to do their job can see it. The guy changing your oil doesn't need your email address.
• Encrypted transactions - All payment processing uses industry-standard encryption.
• Regular backups - So we don't lose your service history if something goes wrong with our systems.
• Physical security - Our office and computers are locked up when we're not around.

No system's perfect, but we do our best to keep your information safe from prying eyes.

It's your data. Here's what you can do with it:

• Access your info - Want to know what we have on file? Just ask. We'll show you.
• Correct mistakes - If something's wrong (like we've got the wrong VIN or phone number), let us know and we'll fix it.
• Request deletion - If you want us to delete your info, we can do that. Keep in mind we need to keep some records for warranty and legal purposes, but we'll remove what we can.
• Opt out of marketing - Don't want those maintenance reminders? No problem. Just tell us or click unsubscribe on any email.
• Withdraw consent - Changed your mind about something you agreed to? Let us know.

To exercise any of these rights, just give us a call at (604) 555-2847 or email service@brimthornascarya.info. We'll get back to you within a reasonable timeframe.

No hoops to jump through, no runaround. We'll handle it straight up.

Since we're operating in Canada, we follow PIPEDA - that's the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Fancy name for privacy rules.

What that means for you:

• We only collect info that's actually necessary for what we do.
• We get your consent before collecting, using, or sharing your personal information.
• We keep your data accurate and up-to-date.
• We protect your info with appropriate security measures.
• We're transparent about what we do with your data.
• You have the right to access and challenge the accuracy of your information.
• We have someone accountable for privacy compliance - that'd be our shop manager.

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, you can contact us directly. If you're still not satisfied, you've got the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

We take this stuff seriously because it's the law, sure, but also because it's the right thing to do.

We don't keep your info forever, but we do hang onto it for a while:

• Service records - Usually 7 years minimum. Helps with warranty claims and if you come back years later wondering about past work.
• Payment records - Required by tax laws to keep for at least 7 years.
• Contact info - As long as you're an active customer, plus a couple years after your last visit in case you come back.
• Marketing consent - Until you opt out or we haven't heard from you in a few years.

After the retention period's up, we securely delete or destroy the information. No point keeping stuff we don't need.

Things change - laws get updated, we might start using new tools, whatever. If we make significant changes to this privacy policy, we'll let you know by:

• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top
• Posting a notice on our website
• Sending an email if it's a major change that affects how we use your data

We're not gonna sneak changes past you. If something important shifts, you'll hear about it.