BigEquipCo Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Alaina Caroline LLC, doing business as BigEquipCo (“BigEquipCo,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects information when you access or use our websites, marketplace, dealer websites, Command Center, applications, communications tools, and other services we provide (collectively, the “Services”).

BigEquipCo is located at:

Alaina Caroline LLC DBA BigEquipCo
301 Commerce St., Suite 1410
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

By using our Services, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide to us, information generated through your use of the Services, and limited information from third parties that help us operate BigEquipCo.

A. Contact and Account Information

We may collect information such as:

• first and last name;
• business or dealership name;
• mailing or business address;
• email address;
• telephone number;
• account username or login information;
• job title or role;
• dealership or organization information; and
• information used to verify or administer your account.

B. Equipment and Marketplace Information

When you list, sell, purchase, inquire about, or manage equipment, we may collect:

• equipment descriptions;
• make, model, year, serial or identification information;
• pricing;
• location;
• photographs and videos;
• ownership or seller information;
• equipment condition and specifications;
• listing history;
• buyer inquiries;
• lead information;
• offer or transaction information;
• inventory-program selections; and
• information associated with dealer inventory.

Some of this information may become publicly visible as part of an equipment listing.

C. Payment and Billing Information

If you purchase a membership, dealer website, listing package, advertising service, optional service, or other paid BigEquipCo product, we may collect billing and transaction information.

Payment-card information may be processed by third-party payment processors on our behalf.

BigEquipCo does not need to retain complete payment-card numbers where those payments are processed directly by a payment processor.

D. Communications

We may collect information when you communicate through BigEquipCo, including:

• messages between buyers and sellers;
• inquiries submitted about equipment;
• contact-form submissions;
• customer-support communications;
• emails;

SMS or text communications where offered;

• telephone numbers;
• call time and duration; and
• call recordings or transcriptions where a call-recording service is used and permitted by law.

E. Device and Usage Information

When you use our websites or applications, we may automatically collect information such as:

IP address;

• browser type;
• device type;
• operating system;
• pages visited;
• referring pages or websites;
• searches;
• links or buttons selected;
• session information;
• timestamps;
• approximate location derived from IP address;
• cookie identifiers; and
• other information regarding your interaction with the Services.

F. Cookies and Similar Technologies

BigEquipCo may use cookies, pixels, local storage, web beacons, and similar technologies to:

• keep you signed in;
• remember preferences;
• operate website features;
• understand website usage;
• diagnose errors;
• measure performance;
• analyze marketing;
• prevent fraud;
• improve our Services; and
• where applicable, provide or measure advertising.

You can generally control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect some features of the Services.

G. Dealer Website Information

If BigEquipCo provides or operates a dealer website for you, information submitted through that website may be processed through BigEquipCo systems.

This can include:

• inventory inquiries;
• contact requests;
• lead information;
• website usage information;
• inventory data; and
• information entered into forms.

Dealers using BigEquipCo-hosted or BigEquipCo-powered websites may also have independent obligations regarding the personal information they collect from their customers.

2. How We Use Information

BigEquipCo may use information we collect to:

• create and manage accounts;
• operate the BigEquipCo marketplace;
• publish and manage equipment listings;
• provide Command Center functionality;
• provide and maintain dealer websites;
• display and distribute authorized dealer inventory;
• process memberships, subscriptions, and payments;
• facilitate communications between buyers, sellers, and dealers;
• deliver inquiries and sales leads;
• provide customer service;
• respond to questions and requests;
• verify users or businesses;
• prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents;
• maintain records of transactions and activity;
• personalize your experience;
• improve search and recommendations;
• measure marketplace and website performance;
• understand how users interact with BigEquipCo;
• improve and develop products and services;
• diagnose and correct technical problems;
• communicate with you about your account or Services;
• send marketing communications where permitted by law;
• comply with legal obligations;
• enforce our agreements; and
• protect BigEquipCo, our users, and others.

The broader reference policy similarly uses personal information for account operation, transactions, support, security, analytics, product development, advertising, fraud prevention, and contractual purposes.

3. Marketplace Communications and Leads

A central purpose of BigEquipCo is connecting people interested in buying and selling equipment.

When you submit an inquiry regarding a listing, we may share the information you provide with the seller, dealer, or other party responsible for that listing.

That information may include your:

• name;
• business name;
• email address;
• telephone number;
• message;
• equipment interest; and
• other information you choose to submit.

Similarly, dealers and sellers may receive leads generated through their BigEquipCo listings or dealer websites.

Once information is provided to an independent dealer, seller, buyer, or other user, that party may have its own privacy obligations and practices.

4. Inventory Distribution and Partner Marketplaces

BigEquipCo may distribute authorized equipment listings to other websites, dealer websites, marketplaces, advertising destinations, or inventory platforms.

Information distributed in connection with equipment listings may include:

• seller or dealer identity;
• contact information intended for publication;
• equipment information;
• photographs;
• pricing;
• location; and
• other listing information.

We do not intentionally distribute private account information merely because inventory is distributed to another marketplace.

Third-party marketplaces and websites may have their own privacy policies and terms.

5. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Tools

BigEquipCo may use artificial-intelligence or automated technologies to assist with features such as:

• equipment descriptions;
• listing formatting;
• equipment categorization;
• search;
• recommendations;
• customer support;
• lead organization;
• analytics;
• image processing;
• fraud or quality review; and
• development and improvement of the Services.

Information processed by these tools may include listing information, commercial information, account information, communications, and other information necessary to provide the applicable feature.

The source policy similarly discloses the use of AI within business operations and services.

We do not intend to use automated decision-making to make decisions producing legal or similarly significant effects regarding employment, housing, insurance, healthcare, education, criminal justice, or lending eligibility.

6. How We Disclose Information

We may disclose personal information in the following circumstances.

Service Providers

We may provide information to companies that help us operate BigEquipCo, including providers of:

• website hosting;
• databases and cloud infrastructure;
• authentication;
• payment processing;
• email delivery;
• customer communications;
• analytics;
• security;
• software development;
• file and image storage;
• customer support; and
• other operational services.

These providers may access information only as necessary to perform services for BigEquipCo, subject to their contractual and legal obligations.

Dealers, Sellers, Buyers, and Other Users

We may disclose information to another user when necessary to provide a marketplace service you requested—for example, sending a buyer's inquiry to an equipment seller.

Advertising and Analytics Providers

We may use analytics and advertising providers to understand use of our Services and measure marketing effectiveness.

Depending on the technologies being used, those providers may receive online identifiers, cookie information, IP address information, or information regarding interactions with our websites.

Financing, Shipping, Insurance, and Other Providers

If you request information about a third-party service, we may provide information to the applicable provider at your direction or with your consent.

Legal and Safety Purposes

We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to:

• comply with law;
• respond to subpoenas, court orders, or lawful government requests;
• investigate fraud;
• protect users;
• enforce our agreements;
• protect BigEquipCo's rights or property; or
• address security incidents.

Business Transfers

Information may be transferred in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, restructuring, sale of assets, or other business transaction involving BigEquipCo.

7. Sale and Sharing of Personal Information

BigEquipCo does not sell customer lists or personal information in exchange for money.

We may use advertising or analytics technologies that involve disclosure of online identifiers or internet activity to third parties.

Some state privacy laws may define certain advertising-related disclosures as a “sale,” “sharing,” or “targeted advertising” even when no money is exchanged for the personal information.

Where applicable law provides the right to opt out of such activity, BigEquipCo will honor that right.

The Sandhills reference makes the same important distinction between selling data for monetary consideration and “sharing” information for targeted advertising.

8. Marketing Communications

BigEquipCo may send you:

• account notices;
• transaction information;
• lead notifications;
• listing updates;
• product announcements;
• marketplace information;
• newsletters;
• promotional messages; and
• other communications relating to BigEquipCo.

You may unsubscribe from promotional emails using the unsubscribe option included in those messages.

You may still receive transactional or administrative communications necessary for your account or Services.

Where SMS marketing or similar communications are offered, we will provide opt-out mechanisms required by applicable law.

9. Call Recording and Transcription

BigEquipCo may offer call tracking, routing, recording, transcription, summarization, or analysis features.

If a call may be recorded or transcribed, notices or consent mechanisms may be used as required by applicable law.

Dealers or other businesses using BigEquipCo communication tools are responsible for using those features in compliance with applicable laws governing call recording and consent.

The reference policy specifically recognizes that call-recording notice and consent requirements vary by jurisdiction.

10. Security

BigEquipCo uses reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information against unauthorized access, disclosure, loss, misuse, or alteration.

However, no website, database, internet transmission, or information-storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

You are responsible for protecting your login credentials and should notify us promptly if you believe your account has been compromised.

The simpler marketplace policy similarly recognizes both the use of security measures and the reality that internet transmission cannot be guaranteed to be 100% secure.

11. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for purposes such as:

• providing the Services;
• maintaining accounts;
• fulfilling transactions;
• maintaining business and accounting records;
• complying with legal requirements;
• preventing fraud;
• resolving disputes;
• enforcing agreements; and
• protecting our legal rights.

Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and the reason it was collected.

We may retain de-identified or aggregated information that no longer reasonably identifies an individual.

12. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:

• confirm whether we process your personal information;
• access personal information we maintain about you;
• obtain a copy of certain information;
• correct inaccurate information;
• request deletion of personal information;
• opt out of targeted advertising;
• opt out of certain sales or sharing of personal information;
• withdraw consent where processing relies on consent;
• designate an authorized agent where permitted; and
• appeal certain decisions regarding privacy requests.

We will not unlawfully discriminate against you because you exercise a privacy right.

The comprehensive reference policy recognizes rights including access/portability, deletion, correction, opt-out of sale and targeted advertising, non-discrimination, appeals, and authorized-agent requests under various U.S. state laws, including Texas.

13. Texas Privacy Rights

Because BigEquipCo is based in Texas, we specifically recognize rights available to Texas residents under applicable Texas privacy law.

Subject to applicable legal requirements and exemptions, Texas residents may have the right to:

• confirm whether BigEquipCo processes their personal data;
• access personal data;
• correct inaccuracies;
• delete personal data;
• obtain certain information in a portable format;
• opt out of targeted advertising;
• opt out of the sale of personal data;
• opt out of certain profiling; and
• appeal a decision regarding a privacy request.

These rights apply only where BigEquipCo and the particular processing activity are subject to the applicable law.

14. California Residents

California residents may have additional rights under California privacy laws, including rights concerning:

• disclosure of categories of personal information collected;
• sources of that information;
• purposes for collection or disclosure;
• categories of third parties receiving information;
• access to specific information;
• deletion;
• correction;
• certain sales or sharing;
• targeted or cross-context behavioral advertising; and
• non-discrimination.

If BigEquipCo's activities meet the statutory thresholds that make particular California privacy requirements applicable, we will provide and honor the notices and rights required by those laws.

15. Privacy Requests

You may submit a privacy request through the BigEquipCo Contact Us page or by mail at:

Alaina Caroline LLC DBA BigEquipCo
Attn: Privacy Request
301 Commerce St., Suite 1410
Fort Worth, TX 76102

We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

Verification may include matching information you provide with information associated with your account.

An authorized agent may submit a request where permitted by applicable law, but we may require proof of the agent's authority.

We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

Certain information may be exempt from access or deletion requirements—for example where retention is necessary to:

• complete a transaction;
• comply with law;
• detect or prevent fraud;
• protect security;
• maintain required business records;
• exercise or defend legal claims; or
• perform a contract with you.

Deletion exceptions for transactions, fraud prevention, debugging, legal obligations, and compatible internal uses also appear in the marketplace privacy policy you supplied.

16. Children

BigEquipCo is a business and heavy-equipment marketplace and is not intended for children under 18 years of age.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child in circumstances where collection is prohibited, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.

17. Third-Party Websites

BigEquipCo may contain links to third-party websites or services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, content, or policies of independent third parties.

You should review the privacy policies of third-party sites before providing information to them.

18. Dealer Responsibilities

Dealers using BigEquipCo dealer websites, Command Center, CRM, lead tools, or other services may receive personal information relating to buyers, sellers, prospects, employees, or customers.

Dealers are responsible for their own use of that information and for complying with laws applicable to their businesses.

Where BigEquipCo processes information solely on behalf of a dealer, additional contractual terms may apply.

19. International Users

BigEquipCo is operated from the United States.

If you access the Services from another country, information may be transferred to, stored in, or processed in the United States or other locations where our service providers operate.

Privacy and data-protection laws in those locations may differ from those in your home jurisdiction.

Where applicable law requires specific safeguards for international data transfers, we will use appropriate safeguards required by law.

20. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as our Services, technology, business practices, or legal obligations change.

When we update the Policy, we will revise the effective date.

If a change is material, we may provide additional notice where required by law.

21. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or BigEquipCo's privacy practices, or would like to exercise a privacy right, contact us through the BigEquipCo Contact Us page or at:

Alaina Caroline LLC DBA BigEquipCo
Attn: Privacy
301 Commerce St., Suite 1410
Fort Worth, TX 76102
United States