Privacy Policy

Effective Date: October 26, 2023

Welcome to Bauer Sale Store (hockeyessential.com). We are Performance Driven. Price Redefined. Payment Secured. Just as you trust Bauer equipment on the ice, you can trust us to handle your personal information with the same precision, security, and player-focused commitment.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, make a purchase, or interact with our services. It applies to all customers worldwide—from youth league rookies in Toronto to seasoned pros in Stockholm—reflecting our global hockey community.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that helps us provide you with a fast, secure, and tailored shopping experience for authentic Bauer gear.

• Personal & Transactional Data: When you make a purchase, we collect your name, billing/shipping address, email address, phone number, and payment information (like credit/debit card details processed via our secure partners or your PayPal account).
• Account & Profile Data: If you create an account, we store your login credentials, order history, preferences, and saved items (like sticks, goalie equipment, or clothing).
• Technical & Browsing Data: We automatically collect your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited on our site (e.g., Accessories, Blades, Goalie sections), and how you interact with our content. This is gathered via cookies and similar technologies.
• Communication Data: Records of your communications with us via email (e.g., [email protected]) or through website forms.

2. How We Use Your Information

Your data powers the performance-driven experience we promise:

• To Process & Fulfill Orders: To complete your purchase, send order confirmations, ship gear worldwide (excluding certain remote regions), and handle returns—just like a smooth breakaway.
• To Secure Payments: To process payments via Visa, MasterCard, JCB, or PayPal, prevent fraud, and comply with financial regulations. We never store full card details on our servers.
• To Improve Your Experience: To personalize site content, recommend products (e.g., Bauer Sticks, Baselayer, or Goalie Pants), and optimize our menu and checkout flow.
• To Communicate: To send transactional emails (order updates), respond to your inquiries at [email protected], and, with your consent, inform you about sales or new arrivals.
• To Protect Our Community: To monitor for suspicious activity, enforce our policies, and ensure the security of our global players and coaches.

3. Sharing & Disclosure of Information

We are direct and transparent about sharing your data:

• Payment Processors: We share payment details with trusted partners like PayPal and card processors to complete transactions securely.
• Shipping & Logistics Partners: We provide necessary delivery information to carriers to get your gear to you, whether in Indianapolis or internationally.
• Service Providers: We work with companies that help us run our website, analyze data (e.g., Google Analytics), and market our products—all under strict confidentiality agreements.
• Legal & Safety Obligations: We may disclose information if required by law, to protect our rights, or to prevent fraud (aligning with our advanced fraud detection system).
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger or sale, customer data may be transferred as part of the business assets.
• We do not sell your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

4. Data Storage & Security

Just as cut-resistant gear protects you on the ice, we protect your data off the ice:

• Storage: Your data is stored on secure servers, primarily in the United States, with appropriate safeguards for international transfers.
• Security Measures: We use industry-standard encryption (SSL) for all data transmissions. Our payment system is built with the same precision as Bauer equipment. Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel only.
• Retention: We retain your information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined here, comply with legal obligations, and serve you as a member of the hockey community.

🔒 100% Secure Payment Guarantee extends to our overall data protection philosophy.

5. Your Rights & Choices

You have control over your information, reflecting our player-focused values:

• Access & Correction: You can access and update your account information through your profile settings.
• Marketing Communications: You can opt-out of promotional emails by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any email.
• Data Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal and contractual restrictions. Contact us at [email protected].
• Do Not Track: Our site does not currently respond to “Do Not Track” browser signals. You can manage tracking via cookie settings (below).
• Depending on your location (e.g., EU, UK, California), you may have additional rights under regulations like GDPR or CCPA. We will comply with applicable laws.

6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies—small data files—to enhance your browsing and shopping experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function (e.g., keeping items in your cart as you browse from Bags to Hats).
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how players use our site (e.g., which menu items like “Intermediate” or “Goalie” are most popular) so we can improve performance.
• Advertising Cookies: Used to show you relevant Bauer gear ads on other platforms. You can control these through your browser settings.
• Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies, but this may limit site functionality, such as the fast, protected checkout process.

7. International Data Transfers

We serve a global hockey community. Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your own, including the United States. We ensure such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and use standard contractual clauses or other safeguards where needed.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our site is not directed at individuals under 16. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If a parent or guardian becomes aware that a child has provided us with information, please contact us, and we will delete it.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or laws. The updated version will be posted here with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review it periodically.

Last Updated: October 26, 2023