Privacy Policy – Blackdiamondeqaipment

At Blackdiamondeqaipment, we understand that your privacy is as important as the gear you rely on for outdoor adventures. We’re committed to protecting the personal information you share with us when browsing our website, purchasing climbing, skiing, running, or hiking equipment, creating a user account, or engaging with our community. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your data, as well as your rights to control it. By visiting www.blackdiamondeqaipment.com, placing an order, or using our services, you agree to the terms outlined below.

1. What Personal Information We Collect

We only gather information necessary to enhance your experience—from helping you find the right hiking boots to delivering your climbing harness on time. The data we collect falls into two categories: information you provide voluntarily, and information we collect automatically.

1.1 Information You Provide Voluntarily

  • Account & Contact Details: When creating a user account (to track orders, save favorite gear like ski jackets or running packs, or access exclusive community content), we collect your full name, email address (e.g., [email protected]), phone number (optional), and shipping/billing addresses. This helps us deliver your outdoor equipment accurately and send updates about your order (e.g., “Your climbing harness shipped today”).
  • Community & Engagement Data: If you join our outdoor clinics (e.g., beginner climbing workshops), share adventure photos via our website, or participate in customer surveys, we may collect details like your event registration info (e.g., “Attending Denver Backcountry Ski Clinic”), photo captions, or feedback about our gear (e.g., “Loved the durability of the hiking backpack on a 3-day trek”).
  • Customer Support Inquiries: When you reach out to our team (via email at [email protected], phone, or live chat) for help—like troubleshooting a defective trekking pole or asking about gear sizing—we collect details about your inquiry, your gear’s serial number (for warranty claims), and any communication history.

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

  • Browsing & Device Data: When you visit our website, we collect non-identifiable information like your IP address, browser type (e.g., Chrome, Safari), device details (e.g., smartphone, laptop), and pages visited (e.g., “Viewed Men’s Climbing Shoes category,” “Spent 5 minutes on Ski Bindings product page”). This helps us optimize our site for better performance (e.g., fixing slow-loading gear images) and tailor content to your interests (e.g., showing you trail running gear if you frequently browse that section).
  • Cookies & Tracking Technologies: We use cookies (small text files stored on your device) to remember your account preferences (e.g., saved shipping addresses for future orders), track items in your shopping cart, and analyze how you interact with our site. We also use pixel tags to measure the effectiveness of our outdoor gear promotions (e.g., “How many users clicked on the ‘Winter Ski Gear Sale’ banner”). You can disable non-essential cookies in your browser settings—though this may limit features like “Save for Later” or personalized gear recommendations.
  • Location Data (Optional): If you opt in (e.g., when using our “Find Local Outdoor Retailers” tool or registering for an in-person climbing clinic), we may collect your approximate location (based on your IP address or device GPS) to suggest nearby stores that carry our gear or local trails popular with our community. We never collect precise location data without your explicit consent.

2. How We Use Your Personal Information

We use your data solely to deliver exceptional service, help you find the right outdoor gear, and support your adventures. Key uses include:

  • Fulfilling Orders: Processing your purchase, arranging delivery of your climbing, skiing, running, or hiking equipment, and sending order confirmations/tracking updates (via email or SMS, if you provided a phone number).
  • Account Management: Maintaining your user account, updating you on account activity (e.g., “Your password was changed”), and letting you access saved information (e.g., past orders, favorite gear lists).
  • Customer Support: Responding to your questions (e.g., “What size hiking boots should I get for wide feet?”), troubleshooting gear issues (using serial numbers to verify warranty status), and following up on feedback (e.g., “Thank you for your review of our Waterproof Ski Jacket”).
  • Improving Our Gear & Services: Analyzing browsing and purchase data to refine our product lineup (e.g., expanding our lightweight hiking pack range if it’s popular) and enhance our website (e.g., simplifying the checkout process for gear orders).
  • Marketing (With Your Consent): Sending you updates about new gear launches (e.g., “Introducing Our New Ultralight Climbing Harness”), exclusive outdoor promotions (e.g., “20% Off Trail Running Shoes for Community Members”), or adventure tips (e.g., “5 Essential Items for Backcountry Ski Trips”). You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link in our messages.
  • Community & Event Management: Organizing outdoor clinics (e.g., sending you a reminder for the “Beginner Hiking Workshop” you registered for) and sharing community content (e.g., featuring your adventure photo on our Instagram with your permission).
  • Compliance & Fraud Prevention: Meeting legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., keeping order records for tax purposes) and protecting against fraud (e.g., verifying payment details to prevent unauthorized purchases of high-value gear like avalanche safety kits).

3. Who We Share Your Information With

We never sell your personal information to third parties. We only share data with trusted partners who help us deliver our services—and these partners are bound by strict privacy agreements to protect your data:

  • Payment Processors: Third-party providers (Stripe, PayPal) process your payment details securely. They only receive the information needed to complete transactions (e.g., billing address, payment amount) and do not store or use your data for other purposes.
  • Shipping & Logistics Partners: Carriers (e.g., UPS, FedEx) receive your shipping address and order details to deliver your outdoor gear. They may share delivery status updates with us to keep you informed.
  • Outdoor Event Partners: If you register for an in-person clinic (e.g., a climbing workshop hosted by a local outdoor club), we may share your name and contact info with the event organizer to confirm your spot and send logistics details (e.g., “Clinic meets at 8 AM at Red Rock Canyon”).
  • Customer Support & Marketing Tools: Platforms we use for email support (e.g., Zendesk) or community management (e.g., Instagram Business Tools) may access your inquiry details or engagement data to help our team assist you. These tools are GDPR and CCPA compliant.
  • Legal Authorities: We may disclose your data if required by law (e.g., in response to a court order) or to protect our rights (e.g., investigating fraudulent activity related to your gear order).

4. How We Protect Your Personal Information

Your data is as important to us as the durability of our gear. We use industry-leading security measures to keep your information safe from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse:

  • Secure Storage: Your account details, purchase history, and contact information are stored on encrypted servers (using SSL/TLS technology) that meet global security standards. We regularly update our security protocols to address emerging threats.
  • Payment Security: We never store full credit card numbers—all payment data is processed by PCI DSS-compliant providers, ensuring your financial information is protected against breaches.
  • Access Controls: Only authorized Blackdiamondeqaipment team members (e.g., customer support, order fulfillment, gear design) can access your data, and they are required to follow strict privacy training and protocols.
  • Data Minimization: We only collect the information we need—for example, we don’t ask for your phone number unless you want SMS order updates. We also delete outdated data (e.g., order records older than 7 years) to reduce risk.

5. Your Rights Regarding Your Personal Information

You have full control over your personal information, and we make it easy to exercise your rights:

  • Access Your Data: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you (e.g., your order history, account details) by emailing [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days and provide your data in a downloadable format (e.g., CSV).
  • Correct Inaccuracies: Update or correct any incorrect data (e.g., a wrong shipping address for your hiking boots) by editing your account settings or contacting our support team.
  • Delete Your Data: Request the deletion of your account and personal information (subject to legal obligations, like keeping order records for tax purposes). We will confirm deletion within 14 days of your request and stop using your data for all purposes except compliance.
  • Opt Out of Marketing: Unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link in our messages, or update your marketing preferences in your account settings. You can also opt out of SMS updates by replying “STOP” to our messages.
  • Withdraw Consent: If you previously opted in to location data collection or community photo sharing, you can withdraw consent by updating your account privacy settings or contacting [email protected].

6. How Long We Keep Your Personal Information

We retain your data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:

  • Account & Purchase Data: We keep your account details and order history for 7 years after your last interaction with us (to comply with tax and warranty requirements). If you delete your account, we will remove your data within 14 days (except for order records required by law).
  • Browsing & Cookie Data: Non-identifiable browsing data is retained for 12 months to improve our website. Cookies expire after 24 months (or sooner if you clear them from your device).
  • Community & Event Data: If you participate in an outdoor clinic or share adventure photos, we retain this data for 2 years (unless you request deletion earlier) to manage future event invitations or community content.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our website and gear are intended for adults (18+). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected data from a child under 13, we will delete it immediately. Parents or guardians who believe their child has shared data with us can contact [email protected] to request removal.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in our business practices, outdoor gear industry regulations, or user feedback. When we make updates:

  • We will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page;
  • We will post the new policy on our website (accessible via a link in the footer);
  • For material changes (e.g., updating how we collect location data, changing our data retention rules), we will notify you via email (if you have an account) 30 days before the changes take effect.

Your continued use of our website or services after the update date constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your data rights, or report a privacy concern related to your outdoor gear orders or community engagement, please reach out to our Privacy Team:

We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within 5 business days.