Privacy policy

This policy explains what personal information BooksBud ("BooksBud," "we," "us") collects through booksbud.com (the "site"), how we use and share it, and the choices you have. BooksBud is a California corporation. If you have questions, contact us using the details at the end of this policy.

Information we collect

Information you give us

When you use our contact form, we collect your first and last name, email address, phone number (optional), type of business, the services you're interested in, and anything you choose to write in the message box. If you email or call us, we receive the information you share in that message or call.

Please don't send Social Security numbers, bank or card numbers, tax documents, or other sensitive financial records through the site or by email. Client financial records are exchanged only after an engagement begins, through the secure accounting and payroll platforms we use (QuickBooks Online and Gusto), under the terms of your engagement agreement.

Information collected automatically

Our hosting provider, Wix.com, automatically receives technical information when you visit, such as your IP address, browser type, device type, pages requested, and the date and time of your visit. This information is used to deliver the site, keep it secure, and diagnose problems.

Wix also adds a small script to each page as part of its hosting service. That script and Wix's servers may set cookies or collect similar technical information, as described in Wix's privacy policy.

When you open the contact form, the site obtains a temporary visitor access token from Wix so it can send your message, and stores that token in your browser's local storage. It is used only to submit the form. We have not added advertising cookies, tracking pixels, analytics tools, session recording, or a chat widget to the site.

How we use information

• To respond to your questions and requests, and to schedule consultations
• To recommend services and prepare engagement proposals you ask for
• To operate, maintain, and secure the site
• To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights

We don't use your information for automated decision-making, and we don't send marketing emails unless you've asked to receive them. Every marketing email we send includes a way to unsubscribe.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We share personal information only as follows:

• Service providers that help us run the business and the site, such as our website and form host (Wix.com) and our email and phone providers. They may use the information only to provide services to us.
• SA Loupe Consulting LLC, our sister firm, if you ask about tax preparation, sales tax, or business formation services, so it can respond to that request.
• Legal and safety reasons, when required by law, subpoena, or court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of BooksBud, our clients, or others.
• Business transfers, in connection with a merger, sale, or transfer of all or part of our business, subject to this policy.

Under California's "Shine the Light" law (Civil Code section 1798.83), California residents may ask whether we disclose personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. We do not.

Third-party sites

Some links take you to sites we don't control. Consultation booking is handled by zcal (zcal.co), class and digital product purchases by Payhip (payhip.com), and tax services by SA Loupe Consulting. Information you give those sites is governed by their own privacy policies.

Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control

Some browsers send a "Do Not Track" or Global Privacy Control signal. Because this site doesn't track visitors across other websites or over time for advertising, and doesn't sell or share personal information, it treats every visitor the same whether or not such a signal is sent.

How long we keep information

We keep contact form submissions and related correspondence for as long as needed to respond and, if you become a client, for the length of the engagement plus any period required by law or professional record-keeping obligations. Inquiries that don't lead to an engagement are deleted within about two years.

How we protect information

The site is served over an encrypted (HTTPS) connection, and form submissions are stored in our account with our hosting provider, protected by access controls. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we can't guarantee absolute security.

Your choices and rights

You can ask us to tell you what personal information we hold about you, to correct it, or to delete it, and you can tell us to stop contacting you. Email info@booksbud.com or call (909) 273-7997. We'll verify your request by matching it to the contact details we have and respond within 45 days. We will not treat you differently for making a request. You may also use an authorized agent; we'll ask for proof that the agent is authorized to act for you.

Depending on our size and activities, the California Consumer Privacy Act may not apply to BooksBud. We honor the requests above for all visitors either way.

Children

This site is intended for business owners and is not directed to children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child has sent us information, contact us and we'll delete it.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, we'll post the updated version here and change the effective date at the top. If a change is significant, we'll make that clear on the site.

Contact us

BooksBud
PO Box 1354
Running Springs, CA 92382
Email: info@booksbud.com
Phone: (909) 273-7997