The Golden Bell
Our website address is: https://tgbell.com.
Overview
When visitors leave comments on the site, we collect the data shown in the comments form, as well as the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help detect spam.
Comments
When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.
An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
Cookies
We use cookies to improve your experience and site functionality.
- When leaving a comment or review, you can opt to save your name, email, and site in cookies.
- When you visit our login or checkout pages, temporary cookies may be set to detect browser compatibility.
- Login cookies and display preferences may persist from 2 days to 1 year.
- Cookies are also used in product pages, bookings, cart sessions, and checkout to track user behavior and facilitate purchases.
You can clear cookies from your browser settings at any time.
If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.
When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.
Embedded content from other websites
Our site may contain embedded content (like YouTube videos, Instagram feeds, or external booking forms). These act exactly as if you visited the originating site and may collect data, use cookies, or track you if you’re logged in to their platform.
Checkout and Booking Information
When you place an order or book a service, we collect the following:
- Name
- Billing and/or shipping address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Payment information (processed securely via third-party gateways)
- Product or service details
- IP address and browser type
This data is used to:
- Fulfill your order or service request
- Communicate order updates
- Provide invoices and receipts
- Prevent fraud
We do not store full credit card numbers. Payments are processed securely via Stripe or PayPal (see their privacy policies).
Email Marketing and Communication
If you opt-in during checkout or via forms:
- You may receive occasional emails about promotions, service updates, or news from The Golden Bell.
- You can unsubscribe at any time via the unsubscribe link in any email.
We may use services like Mailchimp or MailerLite to manage email communication. These providers store your data according to their own privacy standards.
Analytics and Tracking
We use tools such as:
- Google Analytics – to understand website traffic and improve usability
- Meta Pixel – to optimize ad targeting (if applicable)
These tools may collect anonymized or pseudonymized data about your device, browser, IP address, and behavior across the site. You can opt out of tracking via your browser settings or tools like Google Analytics Opt-out.
Who we share your data with
We only share data with trusted third parties as necessary to operate the site:
- Payment gateways (e.g. Stripe, PayPal)
- Shipping platforms (e.g. Shippo)
- Email marketing providers (e.g. Mailchimp)
- Booking plugins or CRM systems (e.g. Amelia, Calendly, etc.)
- Spam detection services (e.g. Akismet)
We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.
How long we retain your data
Comments and reviews are retained indefinitely.
Order data is retained for tax and accounting purposes, typically 6+ years.
User profile data is stored as long as your account is active.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access a copy of your personal data
- Request corrections or deletion
- Withdraw consent for marketing communications
- File a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe your rights have been violated
Requests can be made by contacting us at [your email/contact form].
Data Security
We take precautions to protect your data using:
- SSL encryption
- Secure third-party gateways
- Regular software updates
However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.
Where your data is sent
Data submitted via comments, orders, and forms may be processed through anti-spam or analytics systems and stored securely in the U.S. or Europe, depending on service provider locations.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted here with the revised effective date.