Hardline Tools Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Hardline Tools — Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 2026

Introduction

Welcome to Hardline Tools (“we”, “our”, or “us”). We operate an independent tool, garage equipment, and workshop supply retail business based in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, interact with our services, or make purchases from us.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect, use, store, and transfer different kinds of personal data about you, grouped as follows:

  • Identity Data: Includes your first name, last name, username, or similar identifier.

  • Contact Data: Includes your billing address, delivery address, email address (contactus@hardlinetools.co.uk), and telephone numbers.

  • Transaction Data: Includes details about payments to and from you, and other details of products you have purchased from us.

  • Technical Data: Includes internet protocol (IP) address, browser type and version, time zone setting and location, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system and platform, and other technology on the devices you use to access our website.

  • Profile Data: Includes your purchases or orders made, your preferences, feedback, survey responses, and competition/giveaway entries.

2. How We Collect Your Personal Data

We collect data from and about you through:

  • Direct Interactions: When you fill in forms, place an order, sign up for a newsletter, enter a promotional giveaway, or correspond with us by post, phone, email, or social media (such as Facebook inquiries managed by our team).

  • Automated Technologies: As you interact with our website, we automatically collect Technical Data about your equipment, browsing actions, and patterns using cookies and similar tracking technologies.

3. How We Use Your Personal Data

We will only use your personal data when the law allows us to. Most commonly, we use your personal data in the following circumstances:

  • Fulfilling Orders: To perform the contract we are about to enter into or have entered into with you (e.g., processing workshop tool orders, arranging local click-and-collect slots, or dispatching goods via couriers).

  • Customer Service: Managing communications via email, phone, or social channels to answer enquiries and support our retail and trade customers.

  • Business Operations & Admin: Managing our internal records, automated administrative summaries, and website functionality (utilizing noreply@hardlinetools.co.uk for system-generated notifications).

  • Legal Compliance: Where we need to comply with a legal obligation (such as tax, accounting, and warranty record-keeping).

4. Marketing Communications & Opt-Ins

  • Promotional Updates: We may send you marketing communications, trade offers, and updates about new workshop equipment (such as TOPDON diagnostic tools) or special giveaways only if you have explicitly opted in (e.g., by checking a subscription box at checkout or entering a promotion).

  • Right to Opt-Out: You can ask us to stop sending you marketing messages at any time by following the unsubscribe links included in any marketing email sent to you, or by contacting us directly at contactus@hardlinetools.co.uk.

  • Third-Party Marketing: We will never share your personal data with external third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to distinguish you from other users, improve your browsing experience, and analyze site traffic.

  • Essential Cookies: Required for core website functionality, such as maintaining your shopping basket and secure checkout sessions.

  • Analytical/Performance Cookies: Allow us to recognize and count the number of visitors and see how visitors move around our website, helping us improve site performance.

  • Functionality Cookies: Remember choices you make (such as your preferred local collection preferences or region) to provide enhanced, personalized features.

  • Managing Cookies: You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, or to alert you when websites set or access cookies. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of this website may become inaccessible or not function properly.

6. Third-Party Service Providers (Payments & Shipping)

To process transactions securely and deliver your orders efficiently, we share necessary data with trusted third-party partners:

  • Payment Processors: When you make a payment on our website or via our point-of-sale systems, your payment card details are collected and processed securely by our certified third-party payment gateway providers. We do not store full payment card details on our servers.

  • Shipping & Courier Providers: To fulfill deliveries, we share your delivery address, recipient name, and contact details (email/phone number) with our appointed courier and postal service providers so they can deliver your items and provide tracking updates.

7. Data Security

We have put in place appropriate technical and organizational security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used, or accessed in an unauthorized way, altered, or disclosed. Access to your personal data is strictly limited to authorized team members and partners who have a legitimate business need to know.

8. Your Legal Rights

Under data protection laws in the UK, you have rights in relation to your personal data, including:

  • The right to request access to your personal data.

  • The right to request correction of inaccurate data.

  • The right to request erasure of your personal data.

  • The right to object to or restrict processing.

  • The right to data portability.

  • The right to withdraw consent at any time.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy, marketing preferences, or wish to exercise your legal rights, please contact us:

  • Business Name: Hardline Tools

  • Address: 15 Melrose Grove, South Shields, South Tyneside, NE32 4HP, United Kingdom

  • Email: contactus@hardlinetools.co.uk