Privacy Policy

1. Who we are and what this covers

Tough Knuckles Automotive ("we," "our," or "us") is an auto repair shop at 932 Holland Park Blvd, Holland, OH 43528. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you visit toughknucklesautorepair.com (the "Site"), fill out a form, call or text us, email us, or bring your vehicle to the shop.

By using the Site or contacting us, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site; you can still call the shop at (419) 392-5926.

2. Information we collect

Information you give us

• Service-request forms (homepage, contact page, and diagnostic check): your name, mobile phone number, email address (optional), the service you picked, and anything you type in the message box — such as your vehicle's year, make, model, and symptoms. If you send results from our online diagnostic check, we also receive the answers you chose and the result it showed.
• Text-message consent: whether you checked each text-message box (one for texts about your request, a separate one for reminders and offers), the exact wording you agreed to, and the date and time.
• Form details sent automatically with your request: which form you used, the page address and title, the date and time, the page you first landed on, the website that referred you, and ad-campaign tags in the link if present (for example utm_source, gclid, or fbclid).
• Phone calls, texts, and emails: the information you share with us when you contact us directly.
• In-shop records: when you drop off a vehicle — your name, contact details, vehicle details (such as VIN, mileage, and license plate), the work you approve, and payment records.

Information collected automatically

• Device and connection data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, and approximate location derived from your IP address.
• Usage data: pages you view, how long you stay, links and buttons you click (such as the call or directions buttons), the page that sent you to us, and campaign details in the link (for example UTM tags from an ad or email).
• Cookies and similar technologies: small files or identifiers stored in your browser that help us measure visits and connect a form submission to the ad or page that brought you here. See Cookies, analytics, and tracking.

We do not ask for, and ask you not to send us through the Site, Social Security numbers, full payment card numbers, driver's license numbers, or health information.

3. How we use your information

• Answer your questions and service requests, and call or text you back
• Schedule drop-offs, diagnose your vehicle, give estimates, and complete the repairs you approve
• Send confirmations, estimate follow-ups, "your car is ready" notices, and warranty or service reminders
• Keep repair and warranty records, and process payment
• Understand how people find and use the Site so we can improve it and our advertising
• Prevent spam, fraud, and misuse of our forms
• Follow the law, respond to lawful requests, and protect our rights

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

4. How we share your information

We share information only as needed to run the shop and the Site:

• Service providers that work for us. They may use the information only to provide services to us:
  • GoHighLevel (LeadConnector) — our customer-management and messaging system. Every website form is sent directly to it, and it is how we call, text, and email you back.
  • The Lead Venture — our marketing agency, which runs our website tracking script (see Cookies, analytics, and tracking) and helps manage our CRM.
  • Cloudflare — hosts and protects the website, may provide privacy-focused visit counts, and checks the email domain you type (see below).
  • Our phone, email, and payment providers, and parts suppliers (vehicle details only, when ordering parts).
• Warranty claims: part makers or rebuilders, when we file a warranty claim on a part installed in your vehicle.
• Legal reasons: when required by law, subpoena, or court order, or to protect the safety, rights, or property of our customers, our shop, or others.
• Business transfer: if the business is sold or merged, customer records may transfer to the new owner under this policy. SMS opt-in data and consent are excluded from any such transfer.

Text messaging (SMS) opt-in data and consent will never be sold or shared with any third party or affiliate for their own marketing or promotional purposes. Sharing with subcontractors that support our own service to you (for example, our messaging platform) is permitted only so we can communicate with you.

5. SMS / text messaging

Our forms have two separate, optional text-message boxes. Neither is checked for you, and checking one is never treated as agreeing to the other.

• "Text me about this request" — texts about your request only: appointment scheduling and reminders, estimate follow-ups, repair status and "your car is ready" notices, and replies to your questions. You can also agree to these by texting us first or telling us on the phone.
• "Also text me service reminders and offers" — occasional marketing texts such as maintenance reminders and special offers. We send these only if you checked this separate box.

Consent is not a condition of purchase. You do not have to agree to texts to get an estimate or have your vehicle serviced. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help or call (419) 392-5926. Reply STOP to any message to opt out; you will receive one confirmation and then no further texts. Carriers (including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others) are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Full SMS terms are in our Terms of Service.

6. Cookies, analytics, and tracking

The Site uses the following kinds of technology:

• Browser storage on your device: the Site remembers your light/dark mode choice (until you clear it), and for the current browser session only, how you arrived (landing page, referrer, and ad tags) and whether you already saw our pop-up. This stays in your browser and is only sent to us if you submit a form.
• Analytics: if enabled, privacy-focused Cloudflare Web Analytics counts visits and page views without cookies that follow you across other websites.
• Lead and marketing tracking: a tracking script from our marketing provider, The Lead Venture, sends page views to our GoHighLevel account — the page address and title, the referring page, your browser type and device type, and a random session ID. It may use cookies or similar identifiers so a form you submit can be matched to the page or ad that brought you here. It loads only after you interact with the page or once the page is idle.
• Email typo check: when you type an email address into a form, your browser asks Cloudflare's public DNS service whether the part after the "@" (for example, gmail.com) can receive mail, so we can catch typos. Only that domain name is checked — never your full address or any other form details.
• Embedded content: map embeds and links from Google (Maps and reviews) and Facebook may set their own cookies when you view or click them, under those companies' privacy policies.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, use a private browsing window, or use a content blocker. The Site still works without cookies, though some measurement will not. Our Site does not currently respond to browser "Do Not Track" signals, because there is no common industry standard for them.

7. Your choices and rights

No matter where you live, you can ask us to:

• Tell you what personal information we have about you, and give you a copy
• Correct information that is wrong
• Delete your information, unless we must keep it (for example repair, warranty, tax, or payment records)
• Stop marketing texts or emails (reply STOP to texts, or ask us)

Contact us at toughknucklesautomotive@gmail.com or (419) 392-5926. We may ask a few questions to confirm it is you before we share or delete anything. We will answer within 30 days, and we will not treat you differently for asking. If your state gives you additional privacy rights, we will honor them as required by law.

8. How long we keep information

• Form submissions and messages that do not turn into a repair: generally up to 2 years, then deleted.
• Repair, warranty, and payment records: as long as needed for warranty and tax purposes, generally up to 7 years.
• SMS consent and opt-out records: as long as needed to prove consent and honor opt-outs.
• Analytics and tracking data: kept by the provider under its own retention settings.

9. How we protect information

The Site uses HTTPS encryption, and we limit access to customer information to the people and providers who need it. No website, network, or storage system is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please do not send sensitive financial information through our forms or by text.

10. Vehicle and repair records

Modern vehicles store data such as trouble codes, mileage, and sometimes location or paired-phone information. When we connect a scan tool to diagnose your vehicle, we read the data needed for the repair. We do not download or keep your phone contacts, messages, or navigation history. If you are selling your vehicle or worried about paired devices, ask us and we can point you to how to clear them.

11. Third-party sites and services

The Site links to other websites, such as Google Maps, Google reviews, and Facebook. We do not control those sites, and their privacy policies apply when you use them.

12. Children's privacy

The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has sent us information, contact us and we will delete it.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the new version here with a new "Last updated" date. If a change materially affects how we use information we already have, we will ask for your consent where the law requires it.

14. Contact us

• Business: Tough Knuckles Automotive
• Address: 932 Holland Park Blvd, Holland, OH 43528
• Phone: (419) 392-5926
• Email: toughknucklesautomotive@gmail.com

See also our Terms of Service and Website Disclaimer.