Privacy Policy

01 Introduction

This Privacy Policy ("Policy") describes how Trade Tractor ("we," "us," "our," or "Company"), a consulting and transaction support firm located at 750 Custer Ave, Helena, MT 59602, collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information obtained from users of our website (trade-tractor.com) and clients who engage our services.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for users in the European Economic Area, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for California residents, and other applicable privacy regulations.

This Policy applies to all visitors to our website, prospective clients who submit inquiries, and clients who enter into service agreements with Trade Tractor. It also applies to information we collect through email, telephone, video conference, and other communication channels in connection with our services.

By accessing our website, submitting a contact form, requesting a consultation, or engaging our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described herein.

02 Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide and improve our services. The categories of information we collect include:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and company name when you submit inquiry forms, request consultations, or enter into service agreements.
• Transaction Information: Details about agricultural equipment you wish to buy or sell, including make, model, year, serial numbers, condition descriptions, pricing expectations, and location.
• Financial Information: Payment information such as credit card details, bank account information for wire transfers, and billing addresses (processed securely through third-party payment processors).
• Identity Verification Documents: Government-issued identification, business registration documents, tax identification numbers, and other verification documents required for compliance and fraud prevention.
• Communication Content: Content of emails, messages, phone calls, video conferences, and other communications you have with Trade Tractor personnel.
• Feedback and Survey Responses: Information you provide in client satisfaction surveys, testimonials, reviews, or other feedback mechanisms.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our website, including pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, search queries, and navigation paths.
• Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type, screen resolution, and unique device identifiers.
• Location Data: Approximate geographic location derived from your IP address or, with your permission, precise location data from your device.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: Data collected through cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking technologies (see Section 7 for detailed information).
• Referral Information: Information about the source that referred you to our website (e.g., search engine, referral link, social media platform).

2.3 Information from Third-Party Sources

• Equipment Data Providers: Market data, pricing benchmarks, and equipment specifications from industry databases and market research providers.
• Inspection Companies: Mechanical condition reports and inspection findings from third-party inspection services we coordinate on your behalf.
• Public Records: Publicly available information such as business registrations, equipment ownership records, and lien filings.
• Business Partners: Information from dealers, brokers, transport carriers, and other service providers involved in transactions we support.
• Social Media Platforms: Publicly available profile information if you interact with us through social media channels.

03 How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Delivery

• Providing consulting, advisory, and transaction support services as described in our service agreements
• Coordinating pre-purchase inspections with qualified third-party inspection providers
• Conducting market research and preparing pricing analyses and recommendations
• Assisting with documentation preparation, compliance verification, and export coordination
• Coordinating logistics and transportation arrangements with vetted carriers
• Communicating with you about the status of your engagement and responding to your inquiries

3.2 Business Operations

• Processing payments and maintaining accurate financial records
• Managing client relationships and service delivery workflows
• Maintaining our customer relationship management (CRM) system
• Analyzing service utilization patterns to improve efficiency
• Training our personnel and improving service quality
• Developing new service offerings based on client needs

3.3 Legal and Compliance

• Verifying identity and conducting fraud prevention checks
• Complying with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• Enforcing our Terms of Service and other agreements
• Responding to lawful requests from government authorities
• Protecting our legal rights and defending against claims
• Complying with export control, sanctions, and anti-money-laundering requirements

3.4 Marketing and Communications

• Sending you information about our services, market insights, and industry trends
• Delivering newsletters and educational content (with your consent where required)
• Notifying you about changes to our services, policies, or terms
• Conducting client satisfaction surveys and collecting feedback
• Personalizing your experience on our website based on your interests

3.5 Analytics and Improvement

• Analyzing website usage patterns to improve navigation and user experience
• Monitoring service performance and identifying areas for improvement
• Conducting internal research and data analysis
• Testing new features and service enhancements
• Generating aggregated, anonymized statistics for market research

We will only use your personal information for the purposes for which it was collected, unless we reasonably consider that we need to use it for another reason that is compatible with the original purpose. If we need to use your information for an unrelated purpose, we will notify you and explain the legal basis for doing so.

04 Legal Basis for Processing

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions with similar data protection frameworks, we process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:

4.1 Contractual Necessity

Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you (i.e., our service agreement) or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract. This applies to most of our service delivery activities.

4.2 Legitimate Interests

Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as:

• Improving and developing our services
• Maintaining the security and integrity of our systems
• Conducting market research and business analytics
• Preventing fraud and ensuring compliance
• Direct marketing to existing clients (where permitted)

We only rely on legitimate interests where we have determined that our interests are not overridden by your fundamental rights and freedoms.

4.3 Consent

Where required by law, we obtain your explicit consent before processing your personal information, such as:

• Sending marketing emails to prospective clients
• Using certain cookies and tracking technologies
• Collecting precise location data from your device
• Processing special categories of data (if applicable)

You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

4.4 Legal Obligations

Processing is necessary for compliance with legal obligations to which we are subject, including:

• Tax reporting and record-keeping requirements
• Anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance
• Responding to lawful government requests
• Compliance with export control regulations

05 Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We engage trusted third-party service providers to perform functions on our behalf, including:

• Payment Processors: Secure processing of credit card and bank transfer payments
• Inspection Companies: Third-party mechanical inspectors who conduct equipment assessments on your behalf
• Transport Carriers: Vetted logistics providers who handle equipment transportation
• Technology Providers: Hosting services, CRM systems, email service providers, and analytics platforms
• Professional Advisors: Legal counsel, accountants, auditors, and consultants

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the specific purposes for which it was disclosed.

5.2 Business Partners

With your consent or as necessary to deliver our services, we may share relevant transaction information with:

• Equipment sellers, buyers, and dealers involved in transactions we support
• Customs brokers and export compliance specialists
• Financial institutions involved in transaction financing
• Title companies and lien verification services

5.3 Legal Requirements and Protection

We may disclose your information if required or permitted by law, including to:

• Comply with court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes
• Respond to lawful requests from government authorities
• Enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements
• Protect our rights, property, safety, or the rights of others
• Detect, prevent, or investigate fraud, security breaches, or illegal activities
• Comply with sanctions, export controls, and anti-money-laundering regulations

5.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your personal information may be transferred to a successor entity. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have regarding your information.

5.5 Aggregated and Anonymized Data

We may share aggregated, anonymized, or de-identified data that cannot reasonably be used to identify you. This may include market trend reports, industry benchmarks, and statistical analyses.

5.6 With Your Consent

We may share your information for purposes not described in this Policy with your explicit consent.

06 Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

6.1 Retention Periods

Our general retention practices are as follows:

• Client Records: We retain service agreements, communications, and deliverables for seven (7) years after the completion of an engagement, in accordance with standard business record-keeping practices and tax requirements.
• Financial Records: Payment information and invoices are retained for seven (7) years to comply with accounting and tax regulations.
• Marketing Communications: Contact information for prospective clients is retained until you opt out or request deletion, or for three (3) years of inactivity, whichever comes first.
• Website Analytics: Usage data and analytics information is typically retained for twenty-six (26) months.
• Legal and Compliance Records: Information required for legal, regulatory, or compliance purposes is retained for the period required by applicable law.

6.2 Criteria for Determining Retention Periods

When determining appropriate retention periods, we consider:

• The nature and sensitivity of the information
• The purposes for which the information was collected
• Applicable legal, regulatory, tax, or accounting requirements
• The potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure
• Whether retention is necessary for legal defense or enforcement

6.3 Secure Deletion

When personal information is no longer needed and retention is not required by law, we securely delete or anonymize it using industry-standard data destruction methods.

07 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site usage, and support our marketing efforts.

7.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They enable the website to remember your actions and preferences over time, improving functionality and user experience.

7.2 Types of Cookies We Use

7.3 Third-Party Cookies

We use third-party services that may set their own cookies, including:

• Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis and user behavior insights
• Google Ads: Remarketing and conversion tracking
• Social Media Pixels: Integration with LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms

7.4 Managing Cookie Preferences

You can control cookie settings through our cookie consent banner, which appears when you first visit our website. You can also manage cookies through your browser settings:

• Most browsers allow you to refuse or accept cookies
• You can delete cookies already stored on your device
• You can set your browser to notify you when cookies are being used

Please note that disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of our website. For more detailed information, see our separate Cookie Policy.

08 Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

8.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and, where applicable, receive a copy in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.

8.2 Correction

You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information we maintain about you.

8.3 Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations, legitimate interests, or ongoing service delivery).

8.4 Restriction of Processing

You have the right to request restriction of processing your personal information in certain circumstances, such as when you contest its accuracy or object to processing.

8.5 Objection

You have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes. We will cease such processing unless we have compelling legitimate grounds.

8.6 Withdrawal of Consent

Where we rely on your consent, you have the right to withdraw it at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing prior to withdrawal.

8.7 Opt-Out of Marketing

You can opt out of receiving marketing emails by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email or by contacting us directly.

8.8 Do Not Track Signals

Our website does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals. You can control tracking through cookie settings and browser preferences.

8.9 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 15. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law (typically 30 days). We may request verification of your identity before processing your request.

8.10 Right to Lodge a Complaint

If you are in the EEA or UK and believe we have not handled your personal information appropriately, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

09 Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

9.1 Security Measures

• Encryption: We use industry-standard SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission and encrypt sensitive data at rest.
• Access Controls: Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis.
• Authentication: Strong password policies and multi-factor authentication protect our systems.
• Monitoring: We monitor our systems for suspicious activity and potential security breaches.
• Regular Updates: Software and security systems are regularly updated and patched.
• Secure Storage: Physical and electronic records are stored in secure, access-controlled environments.
• Employee Training: Our personnel receive regular training on data protection and security best practices.

9.2 Third-Party Security

We require our service providers to implement appropriate security measures and conduct periodic security assessments of critical vendors.

9.3 Incident Response

In the event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify affected individuals and relevant authorities as required by applicable law, typically within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach.

9.4 Limitations

While we implement robust security measures, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted over the internet or stored electronically. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for any activity under your account.

10 International Data Transfers

Trade Tractor is based in the United States. If you access our website or use our services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate.

10.1 Legal Framework

For transfers from the EEA or UK to the United States, we rely on:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Your explicit consent for the transfer
• Other lawful transfer mechanisms recognized under applicable law

10.2 Safeguards

We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information when transferred internationally, including contractual commitments with service providers and adherence to recognized data protection frameworks.

10.3 Your Rights

You have the right to request information about the safeguards we have put in place for international transfers and to obtain a copy of such safeguards where feasible.

11 Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including equipment marketplaces, industry resources, social media platforms, and service provider sites. This Privacy Policy applies only to Trade Tractor's practices.

11.1 No Control Over Third Parties

We do not control and are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of third-party websites. When you click on a third-party link, you leave our website and are subject to that third party's privacy policy and terms of use.

11.2 Third-Party Services

If we coordinate services with third-party providers (such as inspection companies or transport carriers) on your behalf, those providers have their own privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before sharing information with them.

11.3 Social Media

Our website may include social media features (e.g., "Share" or "Like" buttons). These features may collect information about your interaction and may use cookies. Your interactions with these features are governed by the privacy policies of the social media platforms.

12 Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Our services are intended for use by businesses and individuals engaged in commercial agricultural equipment transactions.

12.1 Age Verification

By using our website or services, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction.

12.2 Parental Notice

If you are a parent or guardian and believe we may have inadvertently collected information from your child, please contact us immediately. We will take prompt steps to delete such information from our records.

13 California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

13.1 Right to Know

You have the right to request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, the sources from which it was collected, the purposes for which it is used, and the categories of third parties with whom we share it.

13.2 Right to Delete

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., completing transactions, complying with legal obligations).

13.3 Right to Opt-Out of Sale

Trade Tractor does not sell personal information as defined by the CCPA. We do not and will not sell your personal information to third parties.

13.4 Right to Non-Discrimination

You have the right to exercise your CCPA rights without receiving discriminatory treatment, such as being denied services, charged different prices, or receiving a different level of service quality.

13.5 Authorized Agent

You may designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf. We may require verification of the agent's authority before processing the request.

13.6 Verification Process

To protect your privacy, we will verify your identity before processing CCPA requests. This may involve matching information you provide with information we have on file, or requesting additional documentation.

13.7 Shine the Light Law

California's "Shine the Light" law permits California residents to request information about our disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. As stated above, we do not share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

13.8 Exercising California Rights

To exercise your California privacy rights, please contact us at info@trade-tractor.com or call +1 (440) 263-1077. We will respond within 45 days of receiving your request.

14 Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will notify you by:

• Posting the updated Privacy Policy on our website with a revised "Last Updated" date
• Sending an email notification to the address associated with your account (for active clients)
• Displaying a prominent notice on our website prior to the changes taking effect

14.1 Effective Date of Changes

Unless otherwise stated, changes to this Privacy Policy become effective when posted. For material changes that affect how we use previously collected information, we will obtain your consent where required by applicable law.

14.2 Review of Policy

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of our website or services after changes have been posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

14.3 Version History

Previous versions of this Privacy Policy are available upon request for your reference.

15 Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, or if you wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:

For privacy-specific inquiries, data access requests, or to exercise your rights under applicable data protection laws, please use the dedicated privacy email address or clearly mark your correspondence "PRIVACY REQUEST."

We will respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days for general inquiries and within the timeframes required by applicable law for rights requests (e.g., 30 days under GDPR, 45 days under CCPA).

For EEA/UK Residents: Our representative for data protection matters in the European Economic Area can be contacted at the email address above with "ATTN: EEA DATA PROTECTION" in the subject line.