Privacy Policy
ThriftFlipping.com is a free reselling guide. There are no accounts and no payments here, so we collect very little. This page explains what we do collect, which outside services see it, and what you can do about it.
The short version
- There are no accounts, logins or checkout on this site.
- If you write to us through the contact form, or join the BOLO list on the home page, we receive what you type plus a few technical details. They are saved in a Google Sheet that we operate.
- We use Google Analytics to see which pages get read, and Google Fonts to display the text you are reading.
- Links to Amazon and eBay are affiliate links. Those companies, and an affiliate script from Katalys, may set cookies so a referral can be credited to us.
- You can ask us to look up, correct or delete what you sent us, using the contact form.
1. Who we are
ThriftFlipping.com is published and operated by Scout Theory LLC (“we”, “us”). We decide how the information described on this page is used. The site is a set of free, information-only guides about thrift-store sourcing, selling online and running a small reselling business. We do not sell products, we do not take payments, and visitors cannot create accounts.
2. What we collect and why
Messages you send through the contact form
The contact form asks for your name and email address, a topic, two optional questions (where you are in your reselling and which platform you use), an optional link or page title, and your message. We use these to read and answer you, to correct or improve our guides, to handle privacy requests, and to consider partnership or press enquiries.
Technical details sent with a form
When you submit a form, your browser also sends us the address of the page the form was on, the page that referred you, your browser and device type (the user agent), your language setting, and how long the page had been open. A hidden spam-trap field is included as well. We use these details to filter out spam and bots and to see which pages prompt questions.
Where form submissions go
The form sends your submission directly from your browser to a script that adds a row to a Google Sheet operated by the site owner. Google hosts the sheet and processes the data on our behalf as a service provider. We do not use accounts, and we do not ask for payment details, passwords or government ID anywhere on the site. Please do not put that kind of information in your message.
The BOLO list sign-up on the home page
The home page has a short form that asks for an email address so you can get the BOLO list. It uses the same system and is stored in the same way as the contact form, and we use the address to send you the list and to get in touch about it.
Information collected automatically
Whenever you load a page, your browser sends your IP address and request details to the server that delivers the site and to the third-party services listed in section 5. Our web server keeps standard access logs (for example the page requested, the time, the IP address and the browser) for security and troubleshooting. Analytics data is covered in section 4.
4. Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand which guides get read and how visitors find them. It records things like the pages you view, your approximate location, your device and browser type, the site that referred you, and how long you stay, and it uses cookies to recognise a returning browser. The Google tag loads on most pages and reports to one or two Analytics properties, all operated by the site owner.
We read analytics reports in aggregate to decide what to write and fix next. We do not use them to identify you. To opt out, you can install Google’s Analytics opt-out browser add-on, use your browser’s privacy settings, or use a content blocker. The site reads the same either way. Google explains its own handling in its Privacy Policy.
5. Third parties
These outside services receive information when you use the site. Each has its own privacy policy, which governs what it does with that information.
Google Analytics (usage statistics), Google Fonts (the DM Sans and Fraunces typefaces are loaded from Google’s servers, which see your IP address and browser details), and Google Sheets with Apps Script (the storage behind our forms).
Amazon
We take part in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Clicking an Amazon link takes you to Amazon, which may set cookies and applies its own privacy notice.
eBay
We take part in the eBay Partner Network. Clicking an eBay link takes you to eBay, which may set cookies and applies its own privacy notice.
Katalys
Affiliate-link technology loaded on most pages, described in section 3.
Our web server
The server that delivers the site records standard access logs, described in section 2.
Our guides also link to other websites, such as selling platforms, software tools and data sources. Those sites run their own tracking and have their own policies. To our knowledge, the pages covered here load no advertising networks, social media pixels or session-recording tools.
6. How long we keep it
We keep contact messages and sign-up details for as long as needed to answer you and to follow up on what you raised. Analytics data is kept according to the retention settings in Google Analytics, and server logs are kept only as long as needed for security and troubleshooting. No method of sending or storing information is completely secure.
7. Your choices and rights
- Ask about your information. You can ask what we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it. Use the contact form, choose “A privacy request” as the topic, and use the same email address you used before so we can find your entry. We may reply to that address to confirm the request is yours.
- Leave the BOLO list. Tell us through the contact form and we will remove your address.
- Control cookies. Your browser lets you block or delete cookies, and content blockers stop analytics and affiliate scripts from running. Third-party sites you visit through our links may work differently if you do.
- Other rights. Depending on where you live, you may have further rights, such as objecting to certain uses of your information or complaining to a data protection authority. We will respond to requests in line with the rules that apply to you.
8. Children
This site is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has sent us information, please tell us through the contact form with the topic “A privacy request” and we will delete it.
9. Changes to this policy
If our practices change, for example when we add a service or remove one, we will update this page and the “Last updated” date at the top. Please check back occasionally.
10. Contact
For anything about privacy on this site, use the contact form and choose “A privacy request”. Our Terms of Service and affiliate disclosure cover the other ground rules.