Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: January 1, 2025

Hamilton & Sons Auction House ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information about you when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
• Account Information: Username, password, and preferences when you create an account for bidding or newsletters
• Communication Data: Information you provide when you contact us via forms, email, phone, or in person
• Service Requests: Details about items for appraisal, consignment, or estate services
• Transaction Information: Bidding history, purchase records, consignment details, and payment information
• Marketing Preferences: Newsletter subscriptions and communication preferences

Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information through cookies and similar technologies:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on site, click patterns, and navigation paths
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address, device identifiers
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
• Referral Information: The website that referred you to our site

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. Google Analytics collects information such as:

• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• How you arrived at our website
• Device and browser information
• General demographic information (age range, interests)

Google Analytics uses cookies to track this information. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Service Delivery

• Providing auction, appraisal, and estate services
• Processing transactions and managing accounts
• Communicating about your requests and our services
• Scheduling appointments and consultations

Website Functionality

• Personalizing your website experience
• Remembering your preferences and login status
• Improving website performance and user experience
• Providing customer support

Marketing and Communications

• Sending newsletters and auction announcements (with your consent)
• Notifying you about upcoming auctions and services
• Providing market insights and educational content
• Conducting customer satisfaction surveys

Business Operations

• Analyzing website usage and improving our services
• Preventing fraud and ensuring security
• Complying with legal obligations
• Maintaining business records

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

• Website hosting and maintenance
• Email marketing services
• Payment processing
• Data analytics (such as Google Analytics)
• Customer relationship management

Business Transactions

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or if we believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations or court orders
• Protect our rights and property
• Prevent fraud or illegal activities
• Ensure the safety of our users and the public

With Your Consent

We may share your information with your explicit consent for specific purposes not covered above.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your website experience:

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled:

• Session management and user authentication
• Security features
• Basic website functionality

Analytics Cookies

We use Google Analytics and similar services to understand website usage:

• Page views and user behavior
• Traffic sources and popular content
• Website performance metrics

Marketing Cookies

These cookies help us provide relevant content and measure marketing effectiveness:

• Remembering your interests and preferences
• Customizing content and advertisements
• Measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete existing cookies
• Block cookies from specific websites
• Block all cookies
• Receive notifications when cookies are set

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

Technical Safeguards

• SSL encryption for data transmission
• Secure server infrastructure
• Regular security updates and patches
• Access controls and authentication

Organizational Measures

• Employee training on data protection
• Limited access to personal information
• Regular security audits and assessments
• Incident response procedures

While we strive to protect your information, no internet transmission or storage system is 100% secure. We encourage you to take precautions when sharing personal information online.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:

• Account Information: Until you request deletion or close your account
• Transaction Records: 7 years for business and tax purposes
• Marketing Data: Until you unsubscribe or request removal
• Website Analytics: 26 months (Google Analytics default)
• Legal Requirements: As required by applicable law

When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Correction

• Request access to your personal information
• Correct inaccurate or outdated information
• Update your contact preferences

Marketing Communications

• Unsubscribe from newsletters and marketing emails
• Opt out of promotional communications
• Update communication preferences

Data Portability and Deletion

• Request a copy of your personal information
• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Object to certain uses of your information

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@hamiltonandsons.com or call (555) 123-4567.

8. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including:

• Social media platforms
• Partner organizations
• Referenced resources
• Payment processors

This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries that may have different data protection laws than your country of residence.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will:

• Post the updated policy on our website
• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Notify you of material changes via email or website notice
• Obtain consent where required by law

Your continued use of our services after policy updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

We will respond to your inquiries within 30 days of receipt.

This Privacy Policy was last updated on January 1, 2025. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for any updates.