PRIVACY POLICY

1. Who we are

The Junkie Garage ("we", "us", "the garage") is a community-funded auto repair shop and the operator of this app and website. This policy explains what information we collect when you use the app, book a service, or support the mission, and what we do with it. Questions? Send us a message through the app or our contact page and we'll answer personally.

2. Information we collect

Account information. When you register, we store your name, email address, and password (processed securely by our platform — we never see or store your password itself).

Vehicle information. When you add a vehicle to your garage, we save the details you enter (make, model, year, engine, VIN, nickname, photo) and the decoded factory service specs we look up from your VIN, so you never have to re-enter them.

Appointment and service records. Bookings, service notes, diagnosis results, and the status of each visit, so we can pick up right where we left off the next time your car needs work.

Payments and contributions. Payments are processed by Stripe, our payment processor. We receive only your name, email, and the amount, date, and status of each transaction. We never see or store your card number, bank details, or other full payment credentials.

Messages and stories. Messages you send the shop through the app, and testimonials you choose to submit (including the display name you ask us to show). Testimonial stories are only published after you submit them and we approve them, and only the display name you choose is shown publicly.

Technical information. Like most apps, our platform automatically collects standard technical data (device, browser, IP address) needed to run the service, keep it secure, and understand how the site is used.

3. How we use your information

We use your information to run the garage: to create and secure your account, save your vehicles, book and manage your appointments, process payments and memberships, award and redeem your loyalty points, send appointment confirmations and reminders, respond to your messages, and (only with the choices you make) keep you posted about your membership. We do not sell your personal information, ever.

4. Cookies and advertising

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to function, remember your session, and understand how the site is used.

We also use Google AdSense, which serves ads on this site. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies (such as the DoubleClick DART cookie) enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to our site and/or other sites on the internet.

You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, and you can opt out of third-party vendor cookies for personalized advertising at aboutads.info/choices.

5. Payment processing

All payments (reservation fees, memberships, tips, and donations) are processed by Stripe. Your payment details are handled entirely by Stripe under their privacy policy and never reach our systems. Refunds, when a service can't be completed, are issued back to the original payment method through Stripe.

6. Who can see your data

Your vehicles, appointments, points, and messages are yours — they're only visible to you and to the garage staff who need them to do the work (for example, the tech preparing your AC repair). We never share your information with outside parties except the service providers that make the app work (our hosting platform and payment processor), and then only as needed to perform that service.

7. Data retention and your choices

We keep your records only as long as your account is active or as needed to serve you, comply with the law, and keep honest books for a community-funded shop. You can ask us at any time to correct your information, export what we hold, or delete your account and its data — message us through the app or the contact page and we'll take care of it.

8. Children's privacy

The garage serves adults who book services for their families. Our services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information.

9. Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, we'll post the updated version here with a new date at the top, so a glance at this page always tells you where things stand.