Privacy Policy - Craft City Furniture

1. Introduction

At Craft City Furniture, your privacy is our priority.
We are committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring that your data is handled responsibly, securely, and transparently.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, interact with us in-store, place orders, or communicate through digital and offline channels.

By accessing our website or purchasing our products, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

2. Our Commitment to Privacy

Craft City Furniture is committed to:

Complying fully with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA);
Collecting only the information necessary for legitimate business purposes;
Maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality, and integrity of your personal data;
Using secure systems and reasonable safeguards against unauthorized access; and
Giving you control and transparency over how your information is used.

3. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to all personal information collected or processed by Craft City Furniture in relation to:

Website visitors and online customers;
Walk-in customers at our showrooms;
Suppliers, service providers, and business partners; and
Job applicants and employees.

It covers all channels through which we collect data, including our website, email communications, telephone, WhatsApp, social media, and in-person transactions.

4. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal information:

4.1 Personal Identification Information

Full name and surname
South African ID number or passport
Contact details (phone number, email address, postal or delivery address)
Business or company name (for trade and wholesale clients)

4.2 Transactional & Payment Information

Order history and purchase records
Payment details (only processed via secure payment gateways; we do not store full card details)
VAT registration numbers (where applicable)

4.3 Website & Online Data

IP address and browser type
Device identifiers
Pages visited, session time, and referral sources
Cookies and similar tracking technologies

4.4 Communication & Correspondence

Messages sent to our support channels
Enquiries, reviews, and feedback submissions
Marketing or subscription preferences

4.5 Employment & Supplier Information

Curriculum Vitae (CVs) and employment applications
B-BBEE or registration details (for vendors)

5. How We Collect Your Information

We collect your personal information in the following ways:

Directly from you: When you complete forms, make purchases, request quotes, or contact us.
Automatically: Through cookies, analytics tools, and tracking systems on our website.
From third parties: Such as courier services, payment providers, or public databases when necessary for order fulfilment or verification.

6. Purpose for Collecting Personal Information

We collect and use your personal data for the following purposes:

To process and deliver your orders;
To verify identity and prevent fraudulent transactions;
To communicate with you about your purchases or account;
To provide after-sales service, warranties, and support;
To manage deliveries, returns, and collections;
To improve our website, products, and customer experience;
To send promotional material, newsletters, and special offers (if you opt in);
To comply with tax, audit, and regulatory requirements;
To manage supplier and business relationships;
To evaluate and process employment applications.

7. Legal Basis for Processing Information

We process personal data based on the following legal grounds:

Consent: When you voluntarily provide information (e.g., for marketing or newsletter subscriptions).
Contractual necessity: When processing is required to fulfill a purchase or service agreement.
Legal obligation: When processing is required under South African law.
Legitimate interests: When processing is necessary to improve operations or prevent fraud, provided it does not infringe your rights.

8. Use of Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to improve functionality and user experience.
Cookies help us understand browsing behavior, remember preferences, and enhance site performance.

You may choose to disable cookies through your browser settings. However, this may limit certain website functionalities such as shopping cart features or personalized recommendations.

9. How We Store and Protect Your Data

9.1 Data Security

We use secure servers, encryption protocols, and firewall protection to safeguard all data.
Access to your personal information is restricted to authorized personnel only.

9.2 Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected or as required by law (e.g., tax or accounting retention periods).
Afterward, your data is safely deleted or anonymized.

10. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Craft City Furniture does not sell or rent customer information to third parties.
We may, however, share data with trusted service providers who assist us in operations, such as:

Delivery and logistics partners;
Payment processing companies;
IT and website maintenance providers;
Marketing and advertising partners (only with your consent);
Government or law enforcement authorities when required by law.

All third-party providers are contractually bound to maintain confidentiality and process data securely in compliance with POPIA.

11. International Data Transfers

If we transfer personal information outside of South Africa (e.g., cloud-based systems or suppliers abroad), we ensure that such data is transferred only to jurisdictions with adequate data protection standards and that appropriate safeguards are in place.

12. Your Rights Under POPIA

Under South African law, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access: You may request details of personal information we hold about you.
Correction: You may update or correct inaccuracies in your information.
Deletion: You may request that your data be deleted when no longer necessary.
Objection: You may object to the processing of your data for direct marketing purposes.
Withdrawal of Consent: You may withdraw consent where processing is based on consent (e.g., newsletters).
Data Portability: You may request a copy of your information in a structured format.

To exercise your rights, please contact our Information Officer (details below).

13. Marketing and Communications

We may contact you with promotions, product launches, or special offers if you have opted in.
You can opt out at any time by:

Clicking the “unsubscribe” link in marketing emails, or
Contacting our support team directly.

We do not send unsolicited marketing messages and strictly comply with anti-spam regulations.

14. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not intended for children under the age of 18.
We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If a minor has provided us information without parental consent, please contact us for prompt removal.

15. Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a data breach, Craft City Furniture will:

Take immediate steps to contain the incident;
Notify the Information Regulator of South Africa; and
Inform affected individuals if there is a risk of harm to their privacy or personal information.

16. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to external sites.
Craft City Furniture is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or security of these external websites.
We encourage users to read the privacy policies of those sites before sharing personal data.

17. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in our business, technology, or legal requirements.
The latest version will always be available on our website, and the “last updated” date will indicate when revisions were made.

18. Contact Information

If you have any questions, complaints, or requests regarding your personal information, please contact our Information Officer:

Information Officer – Craft City Furniture
📍 63 Jean Avenue, Doringkloof, Centurion, South Africa
📞 Tel: [Insert Phone Number]
📧 Email: [Insert Official Privacy Email]
🕓 Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:
The Information Regulator (South Africa)
📧 complaints.IR@justice.gov.za | inforeg@justice.gov.za
🌐 https://www.justice.gov.za/inforeg/

19. Acceptance of Policy

By visiting our website, purchasing our products, or providing your personal information, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.