Privacy policy

Speed of Light Hobbies — Store Policies

Effective Date: July 29, 2025

1. Privacy Policy

1.1 Introduction

Speed of Light Hobbies ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") operates speedoflighthobbies.com and related online storefronts (the "Services"), which are powered by Shopify. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit, use, or make a purchase through the Services. If any provision of this Privacy Policy conflicts with our Terms of Service, this Privacy Policy governs with respect to personal information.

1.2 Personal Information We Collect

We collect information that identifies, relates to, describes, or could reasonably be linked to you ("personal information"). Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

Contact Details — name, billing and shipping address, phone number, and e‑mail address.
Financial Information — payment‑card numbers and related transaction details (processed securely by Shopify and our payment processors).
Account Credentials & Preferences — username, password, security questions, wish‑lists, and settings.
Transaction Details — products viewed, added to cart, purchased, returned, exchanged, or cancelled.
Communications — content of messages or inquiries you send to us.
Device & Usage Data — IP address, browser type, device identifiers, referral URLs, and interactions with the Services collected via cookies and similar technologies.

1.3 Sources of Personal Information

Directly from you — when you create an account, complete checkout, or contact us.
Automatically — through cookies, pixels, and similar technologies when you browse our Services.
Service providers & partners — such as payment processors, shipping carriers, and analytics or marketing partners.
Shopify — which hosts our storefront and processes your data to power and improve the Services.

1.4 How We Use Personal Information

We use your personal information to:

Provide, operate, and improve the Services; fulfill orders; process payments; arrange shipping; and facilitate returns via the manufacturer.
Personalize your experience, remember preferences, and recommend products.
Conduct marketing and advertising, including e‑mail promotions and targeted ads (you may opt out at any time).
Authenticate users, detect and prevent fraud, secure our Services, and protect public safety.
Communicate with you, respond to inquiries, and provide customer support.
Comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms, and defend our rights.

1.5 How We Disclose Personal Information

We may share personal information:

With Shopify and other vendors who perform services on our behalf (e.g., payment processing, fulfillment, IT, analytics) under confidentiality agreements.
With business and marketing partners to facilitate advertising and promotional activities, subject to your opt‑out rights.
When you direct or consent (e.g., social‑media integrations, manufacturer warranty claims).
Within our corporate group or in connection with a business transaction (e.g., merger or asset sale).
To comply with law or respond to valid legal requests, and to protect our rights or the safety of others.

1.6 Relationship with Shopify

Shopify hosts our store and may combine data about your interactions with our store and other merchants to provide enhanced services. Shopify is independently responsible for certain processing of your data and for honoring related privacy rights. See the Shopify Consumer Privacy Policy for details or exercise Shopify‑specific rights via the Shopify Privacy Portal.

1.7 Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to operate the Site, remember your preferences, analyze traffic, and deliver targeted advertisements. You can manage cookies in your browser settings; disabling cookies may affect Site functionality.

1.8 Security & Retention

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. No method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We retain personal information as long as necessary to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

1.9 Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to access, delete, correct, port, or restrict the processing of your personal information, and to opt out of certain disclosures ("sale" or "sharing") for targeted advertising. You can exercise these rights via the self‑service tools on our Site, the Global Privacy Control signal (where recognized), through Shopify’s privacy portal, or by contacting us at robertdbeachum@speedoflighthobbies.com. We will not discriminate against you for exercising any privacy rights.

1.10 Children’s Data

The Services are not directed to children under the age of majority in your jurisdiction. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us so we can delete it.

1.11 International Transfers

We may transfer and store personal information outside your country, including to the United States and Canada. When we do, we rely on appropriate transfer mechanisms such as Standard Contractual Clauses or adequacy decisions.

1.12 Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will be revised accordingly. Continued use of the Services after any update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

1.13 Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, or to exercise your privacy rights, please e‑mail robertdbeachum@speedoflighthobbies.com or write to us at 49416 Woodland Drive, Norwood, NC 28128, USA.

2. Return & Refund Policy

2.1 No Refunds

Speed of Light Hobbies does not offer refunds on any products once an order has been placed.

2.2 Returns – Manufacturer Only

We do not process returns directly. If you believe your item is defective or otherwise eligible for return or exchange, you must contact the product’s manufacturer in accordance with their warranty and return procedures.

Original proof of purchase from Speed of Light Hobbies may be required by the manufacturer.
Packaging and product‑condition requirements are set by the manufacturer and may vary.

2.3 Questions

For questions about this no‑refund, manufacturer‑only return policy, e‑mail robertdbeachum@speedoflighthobbies.com.

3. Shipping Policy

3.1 Order Processing Time

Orders are processed within 1–2 business days (Monday–Friday, excluding holidays). Pre‑orders ship on or after the official release date.

3.2 Shipping Methods & Estimates

USPS First‑Class — tracking included
USPS Priority — tracking included
UPS Ground — tracking included
International Standard — tracking included; delivery time varies by destination

Transit times are carrier estimates and may vary during peak periods.

3.3 Shipping Rates

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on weight, dimensions, destination, and chosen service.

3.4 Shipment Confirmation & Tracking

You will receive an e‑mail confirmation with tracking information once your order has shipped. Tracking updates may take up to 24 hours to appear.

3.5 International Shipping & Customs

We ship to select countries; availability and rates are displayed at checkout.
Import duties, taxes, and customs fees are the buyer’s responsibility and are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
Customs processing may cause delivery delays beyond our control.

3.6 Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Packages

Please inspect your order upon receipt and contact us immediately if items are missing or damaged.
If tracking shows "delivered" but you have not received the package, wait 24 hours, then check with neighbors or your local carrier. If still missing, notify your carrier within 3 business days.
Claims for lost or damaged shipments must be filed with the carrier within 15 days of the delivery date.

3.7 Address Changes

We cannot change the shipping address once an order has shipped. If you need to update an address, please contact us promptly after placing your order.

3.8 Undeliverable or Returned Packages

Packages returned to us due to an incorrect or incomplete address, or due to refusal of customs fees, will not be accepted, and no refund will be issued.