Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 2, 2025
Last Updated: April 2, 2025

  1. Introduction

    Welcome to The Hardware Store. This Privacy Policy outlines how Bharat Supply Agency, which operates The Hardware Store website ('we', 'us', or 'our'), collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards your data when you visit our website, purchase products, or otherwise interact with us. We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of our customers' personal information and operate in accordance with applicable Indian laws, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act).

    By using our Site, you signify your understanding and acceptance of the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with these terms, please do not use our Site or provide us with your personal data.

  2. Information We Collect (as Data Fiduciary)

    As Bharat Supply Agency, the operator of The Hardware Store and the Data Fiduciary, we collect information necessary to provide you with our services. This information is primarily processed through the e-commerce platform powering our store:

    • Personal Information You Provide:

      • Contact Details: Name, email address, phone number.

      • Shipping & Billing Information: Physical addresses for delivery and billing.

      • Order Information: Details about the products you purchase.

      • Account Information: If you create an account, your username and related credentials (managed securely by our platform provider).

      • Communication Records: Records of your communications with us (e.g., customer support inquiries via email at contact@thehardwarestore.in).

    • Information Collected Automatically:

      • Device and Usage Information: When you access our site, certain information may be automatically collected by our platform provider, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, pages visited on our site, time spent, and referring URLs. This is standard information collected by most websites for functionality, security, and analytics.

      • Cookies and Similar Technologies: Our website platform uses cookies and similar tracking technologies. These small data files are placed on your device to help the site operate effectively, remember your preferences (like shopping cart contents), perform analytics on site usage, and potentially support marketing efforts. The management of these technologies, including mechanisms for consent where applicable, is handled by our e-commerce platform provider.

  3. How We Use Your Information

    We (Bharat Supply Agency) use the information collected for the following purposes, based on your consent and our legitimate business needs:

    • To Process and Fulfill Your Orders: Including processing payments (handled by secure third-party payment gateways integrated with our platform), shipping products, and managing returns.

    • To Communicate With You: Sending order confirmations, shipping updates, responding to inquiries sent to contact@thehardwarestore.in, and providing customer support.

    • To Improve Our Store: Analyzing aggregated website usage data provided by our platform's analytics tools to understand customer preferences and improve site functionality and product offerings.

    • For Marketing Purposes (With Your Consent): If you explicitly opt-in (e.g., subscribe to our newsletter), we may send you emails about new products, promotions, or other updates. You can withdraw your consent at any time by unsubscribing using the link provided in the emails.

    • To Comply with Legal Obligations: Meeting legal and regulatory requirements in India.

    • To Prevent Fraud and Ensure Security: Protecting our store and our customers from fraudulent activities, often relying on security features provided by our platform.

  4. How We Share Your Information

    We (Bharat Supply Agency) do not sell your personal information. We share your data only in the following circumstances and with necessary safeguards:

    • With Our E-commerce Platform Provider: We share information with the company providing the underlying platform for our store, as they process data on our behalf to enable the store's operation, hosting, and core functionalities. They are obligated to handle this data securely.

    • With Service Providers: We share information with essential third-party partners who perform services on our behalf, such as:

      • Payment Processors to securely handle transactions.

      • Shipping Carriers to deliver your orders.
        These providers only receive the information necessary to perform their specific functions and are obligated to protect your data.

    • For Legal Reasons: If required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request enforceable in India.

    • Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, sale of company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business by another company, customer information may be transferred as a business asset, subject to the commitments made in this Privacy Policy.

  5. Data Security

    We (Bharat Supply Agency) rely on the security measures implemented by our e-commerce platform provider and supplement these with our own reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage method is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

  6. Data Retention

    We (Bharat Supply Agency) retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, such as maintaining your order history, providing customer support, complying with our legal obligations (e.g., tax records), resolving disputes, and enforcing our agreements. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and legal requirements.

  7. Your Rights Under the DPDP Act, 2023

    As a Data Principal under Indian law, you have certain rights regarding your personal data held by Bharat Supply Agency (operating The Hardware Store):

    • Right to Access: You have the right to request information about the personal data we hold about you and how it's processed.

    • Right to Correction and Erasure: You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data and the erasure of your personal data that is no longer necessary for the purpose it was collected, subject to legal retention requirements.

    • Right to Grievance Redressal: You have the right to register a grievance with us regarding the processing of your personal data.

    • Right to Nominate: You may have the right to nominate another individual to exercise your rights in case of your death or incapacity (as per rules notified under the DPDP Act).

    • Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on your consent (e.g., marketing emails), you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.

    To exercise these rights or raise a grievance, please contact us at: contact@thehardwarestore.in. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law.

  8. Cookies

    As mentioned, our store uses cookies managed by our e-commerce platform provider. These help the site function, remember preferences, and provide analytics. You can usually manage cookie preferences through your web browser settings, although disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality.

  9. International Data Transfers

    Our store operates on an e-commerce platform whose infrastructure may involve servers located globally. This means your personal data might be processed and stored in countries outside of India by our platform provider or their sub-processors. Our platform provider is responsible for implementing appropriate safeguards for such international data transfers. By using our store, you acknowledge that your information may be transferred outside India as necessary for providing the services.

  10. Children's Privacy

    Our store is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a child, we will take steps to delete it promptly.

  11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

    We (Bharat Supply Agency) may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post any changes on this page and update the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

  12. Contact Us

    If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:

    Bharat Supply Agency (Operating as The Hardware Store)
    Email: contact@thehardwarestore.in