Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 25, 2025
Last Updated: August 25, 2025

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how Smolderhaus, LLC (“Smolderhaus,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, stores, and discloses personal information when you access or use our website located at https://smolderhaus.com (the “Site”). By visiting or using the Site, you acknowledge and consent to the practices described in this Policy.

 

1. Information We Collect

Smolderhaus may collect the following categories of personal information:

A. Information You Provide Directly

  • Contact information, including name, email address, phone number, and mailing/billing/shipping address.

  • Account registration details, including username and encrypted password.

  • Order details and payment information (payment card data is processed securely through third-party providers; Smolderhaus does not store complete card details).

  • Information submitted via forms, surveys, or support communications.

  • Comments, product reviews, or other submissions posted to the Site.

B. Information Collected Automatically

  • Products you have viewed (used to display recently viewed items).

  • Location, IP address, and browser type (used for estimating taxes, shipping, and analytics).

  • Device identifiers, operating system, and access times.

  • Cookies and tracking technologies to maintain cart contents, support authentication, remember preferences, and analyze usage.

C. Media Uploads

If you upload images to the Site, you should avoid uploading images containing embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors may download and extract such data.

 

2. How We Use Your Information

Smolderhaus processes personal information for the following purposes:

  • To provide, operate, and improve the Site and its features.

  • To create and manage User accounts.

  • To process orders, fulfill transactions, and deliver products.

  • To send account confirmations, shipping updates, and related communications.

  • To respond to inquiries, refund requests, and complaints.

  • To process secure payments and prevent fraud.

  • To comply with tax, accounting, and other legal obligations.

  • To send marketing communications, if you choose to receive them.

Smolderhaus does not sell or lease personal information to third parties.

 

3. Data Retention

  • Orders: Order information is retained as long as required for business, tax, and accounting purposes, including name, email, billing, and shipping addresses.

  • Accounts: Account information is retained until the User deletes the account or it becomes inactive.

  • Comments/Reviews: Comments and associated metadata are retained indefinitely to support follow-up moderation.

  • Cookies: Session and preference cookies are retained for the duration set in Section 4.

 

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Examples of cookies used on the Site include:

  • Comment cookies: Store details for convenience in posting future comments (retained up to one year).

  • Login cookies: Store login details (retained for two days; up to two weeks if “Remember Me” is selected).

  • Screen preference cookies: Store display settings (retained up to one year).

  • Cart cookies: Track items in shopping carts while browsing.

  • Post-edit cookies: Store article editing status (retained one day).

Users may disable cookies through browser settings. However, certain features of the Site may not function properly without cookies.

 

5. Embedded Content

Articles or pages on this Site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, articles). Embedded content from third-party websites behaves as if the User visited that site directly. These websites may collect data, use cookies, or monitor your interactions, particularly if you are logged into those third-party services.

 

6. Who Has Access

Authorized members of the Smolderhaus team (Administrators and Shop Managers) may access:

  • Order details (items purchased, date/time, delivery destination).

  • Customer details (name, email, billing and shipping addresses).

This access is limited to fulfilling orders, processing refunds, and providing customer support.

 

7. Payments and Third-Party Processors

Smolderhaus accepts payments through trusted third-party providers, including PayPal and Stripe. When you make a purchase, certain personal data will be transmitted to these providers as required to process the transaction. This may include:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Billing and shipping address

  • Phone number

  • City, State, and ZIP code

  • Purchase total

  • Unique payment identifier

  • Payment provider identifier

Third-Party Provider Policies

Each payment provider maintains its own privacy practices. We encourage Users to review them directly:

Smolderhaus does not control and is not responsible for the data handling practices of these third parties.

Cookies Set by Payment Extensions

Certain payment gateways may set cookies in connection with their services, including:

  • wp_woocommerce_session_HASH – used by WooCommerce to track session/cart data.

  • _stripe_mid and _stripe_sid – set by Stripe for secure payment processing.

 

8. Disclosure of Information

Smolderhaus may disclose personal information only under the following circumstances:

  • To service providers assisting with order fulfillment, payments, shipping, and IT operations.

  • If required by applicable law, subpoena, or legal process.

  • To enforce our Terms of Service or protect the rights, property, or safety of Smolderhaus, our Users, or others.

  • In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of Company assets, subject to confidentiality obligations.

 

9. User Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

  • Access and obtain a copy of your personal information.

  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

  • Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal obligations).

  • Restrict or object to certain processing activities.

  • Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

Requests may be submitted to privacy@smolderhaus.com, and Smolderhaus will respond as required by applicable law.

 

10. Data Security

Smolderhaus uses commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

 

11. Children’s Privacy

The Site is not directed to children under 13 years of age. Smolderhaus does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that such information has been collected, we will delete it promptly.

 

12. International Users

The Site is operated in the United States. If you access the Site from outside the United States, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your information in the United States, which may have data protection laws different from those in your jurisdiction.

 

13. Amendments

Smolderhaus reserves the right to amend this Policy at any time. Any updates will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Continued use of the Site constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

 

14. Contact Information

Questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed to:

Smolderhaus, LLC
2412 Azalea Dr
Durham, NC 27703
Email: privacy@smolderhaus.com