Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy
Effective: July 6, 2025
Last Updated: July 4, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Carlton The Mechanic LLC, doing business as Carlton The Mechanic, collects, uses, stores, protects, retains, and shares information when you visit CarltonTheMechanic.com, schedule Services, communicate with us, or otherwise interact with our business.

This Privacy Policy works together with our Terms of Service and Service Conditions. Each document serves a different purpose. The Terms of Service govern the legal agreement between Carlton The Mechanic LLC and the Customer, the Service Conditions explain how Services are performed, and this Privacy Policy explains how information is handled.

1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

Depending upon your interaction with Carlton The Mechanic LLC, we may collect information that you voluntarily provide or that is automatically generated while using our Website or Services.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Name.
Email address.
Telephone number.
Service address or appointment location.
Vehicle year, make, model, engine, mileage, and VIN.
Repair requests and reported vehicle symptoms.
Appointment information.
Repair Orders, estimates, invoices, and payment status.
Communications through email, telephone, SMS, or website forms.
Photographs, videos, and diagnostic scan reports created during service.
Website usage information such as browser type, device information, IP address, pages visited, and approximate location.

Information collected is limited to what is reasonably necessary to operate our business, provide requested Services, improve customer experience, maintain accurate records, comply with legal obligations, and protect both our Customers and Carlton The Mechanic LLC.

2. HOW INFORMATION IS COLLECTED

Information may be collected directly from you when you:

Schedule an appointment.
Request an estimate.
Submit a Website form.
Use the VIN Decoder.
Contact Carlton The Mechanic LLC.
Authorize Services.
Make a payment.
Request customer support.

Information may also be collected automatically through Website technology including cookies, server logs, analytics tools, security systems, payment processors, and similar technologies necessary for Website functionality and business operations.

3. HOW WE USE INFORMATION

Collected information may be used to:

Schedule appointments.
Provide requested Services.
Verify vehicle information.
Create estimates, Repair Orders, invoices, and service records.
Process payments.
Communicate regarding appointments and repairs.
Provide customer support.
Improve Website functionality.
Maintain business records.
Protect against fraud, abuse, unauthorized transactions, and security threats.
Comply with legal obligations.

Carlton The Mechanic LLC uses personal information only for legitimate business purposes reasonably related to providing Services, operating the Website, maintaining business records, and complying with applicable law.

4. VEHICLE INFORMATION & SERVICE RECORDS

Vehicle information provided by Customers or collected during Services may be retained as part of the Customer's service history.

Service records may include repair recommendations, diagnostic scan reports, inspection notes, photographs, videos, invoices, estimates, Repair Orders, technician observations, and related documentation created before, during, or after a Service appointment.

These records help maintain service history, improve future diagnostic accuracy, document completed work, assist with manufacturer or supplier warranty inquiries, and protect both the Customer and Carlton The Mechanic LLC in the event of future questions or disputes.

5. PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEOS & DIAGNOSTIC DOCUMENTATION

During the course of providing Services, Carlton The Mechanic LLC may create photographs, videos, diagnostic scan reports, measurements, inspection notes, and other documentation relating to the Vehicle, replacement parts, repair procedures, or observed vehicle conditions.

This documentation may be used for legitimate business purposes, including:

Documenting pre-existing vehicle conditions.
Supporting diagnostic findings.
Recording completed repairs.
Maintaining service history.
Preparing Repair Orders and invoices.
Manufacturer or supplier warranty assistance.
Quality assurance and technician training.
Responding to customer questions or disputes.
Protecting Carlton The Mechanic LLC and the Customer in the event of legal or insurance matters.

Photographs and service documentation are created to accurately record vehicle condition and repair history and are not intended for public distribution except with Customer permission or where otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

6. COOKIES & WEBSITE TECHNOLOGIES

CarltonTheMechanic.com may use cookies, log files, analytics services, security technologies, and similar tools to improve Website performance, maintain security, remember user preferences, analyze traffic patterns, and enhance the overall user experience.

These technologies may automatically collect limited technical information such as browser type, operating system, referring pages, device identifiers, approximate geographic location, IP address, and Website usage statistics.

Most web browsers allow users to modify cookie preferences or disable cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of some Website features.

7. PAYMENT INFORMATION

Payments made through CarltonTheMechanic.com are processed using third-party payment processors selected by Carlton The Mechanic LLC.

Carlton The Mechanic LLC does not store complete credit card numbers, debit card numbers, security codes (CVV), or other sensitive payment credentials on its own servers.

Payment processors are independently responsible for protecting payment information in accordance with their own privacy policies, contractual obligations, and applicable legal requirements.

Carlton The Mechanic LLC may retain limited payment-related information, including transaction identifiers, payment status, invoice numbers, payment dates, and amounts paid, as reasonably necessary for accounting, recordkeeping, customer service, fraud prevention, tax reporting, and legal compliance.

8. WHEN INFORMATION MAY BE SHARED

Carlton The Mechanic LLC does not sell Customer personal information.

Information may be shared only when reasonably necessary to operate the business, provide requested Services, comply with legal obligations, or protect legitimate business interests.

Examples include:

Payment processors for payment transactions.
Parts suppliers when necessary to identify or obtain replacement parts.
Website hosting providers and technology service providers.
Email, SMS, or customer communication platforms.
Professional advisors, accountants, or legal counsel.
Insurance companies when reasonably necessary.
Government agencies, courts, or law enforcement when required by law or valid legal process.

Information shared with third parties is limited to what is reasonably necessary for the applicable business purpose or legal requirement.

9. DATA RETENTION

Carlton The Mechanic LLC retains information only for as long as reasonably necessary to provide Services, maintain accurate business records, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, protect legitimate business interests, and satisfy applicable accounting, tax, insurance, or regulatory requirements.

Information retained may include customer communications, Repair Orders, estimates, invoices, payment records, appointment history, vehicle information, photographs, diagnostic reports, service documentation, and other records created during the normal course of business.

When information is no longer reasonably necessary for these purposes, Carlton The Mechanic LLC will make reasonable efforts to securely delete, destroy, anonymize, or otherwise dispose of the information in accordance with applicable law and ordinary business practices.

10. INFORMATION SECURITY

Carlton The Mechanic LLC uses commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, destruction, misuse, or loss.

Security measures may include secure Website technologies, password protection, limited administrative access, encrypted communications where reasonably available, reputable third-party service providers, and other safeguards appropriate to the size and nature of our business.

Although reasonable security measures are implemented, no method of electronic transmission, internet communication, or electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Accordingly, Carlton The Mechanic LLC cannot guarantee absolute security of any information.

11. THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES & SERVICES

CarltonTheMechanic.com may contain links to third-party websites, payment processors, supplier resources, mapping services, social media platforms, manufacturer information, or other external resources that are not owned or controlled by Carlton The Mechanic LLC.

This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by Carlton The Mechanic LLC. Third-party websites and services maintain their own privacy policies, security practices, and terms of use. Customers are encouraged to review those policies before providing personal information to third parties.

Carlton The Mechanic LLC is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, availability, or security of third-party websites or services.

12. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

CarltonTheMechanic.com and the Services provided by Carlton The Mechanic LLC are intended for individuals who are legally capable of requesting automotive services and entering into binding agreements.

Carlton The Mechanic LLC does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under the age of 13 through its Website.

If Carlton The Mechanic LLC becomes aware that personal information has been knowingly collected directly from a child under 13 without appropriate parental consent where required by law, reasonable efforts will be made to delete the information as soon as reasonably practical.

17. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

Carlton The Mechanic LLC reserves the right to modify, update, revise, or replace this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our business operations, Website functionality, technology, legal requirements, industry standards, or privacy practices.

The "Updated" date displayed at the beginning of this Privacy Policy indicates the most recent revision. Continued use of CarltonTheMechanic.com or our Services after revisions become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Customers are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy Policy to remain informed regarding how personal information is collected, used, stored, protected, retained, and shared.

18. CALIFORNIA & OTHER APPLICABLE PRIVACY RIGHTS

Residents of certain states or jurisdictions may have additional privacy rights under applicable law, including rights relating to access, correction, deletion, portability, or restriction of certain personal information.

Carlton The Mechanic LLC will review and respond to qualifying privacy requests in accordance with applicable law. Certain requests may be limited or denied where information must be retained for legal compliance, fraud prevention, payment processing, accounting, tax reporting, warranty administration, dispute resolution, enforcement of agreements, or other legitimate business purposes permitted by law.

Nothing contained in this Privacy Policy is intended to limit any rights that cannot legally be waived or restricted under applicable privacy laws.

19. CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions regarding this Privacy Policy or requests relating to personal information may be directed to:

Carlton The Mechanic LLC

Website:
CarltonTheMechanic.com

Email:
legal@carltonthemechanic.com

20. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By accessing or using CarltonTheMechanic.com, scheduling an appointment, requesting Services, communicating with Carlton The Mechanic LLC, submitting information, or otherwise interacting with our Website or business, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms of Service and Service Conditions, which together establish the legal, operational, and privacy framework governing your relationship with Carlton The Mechanic LLC.