Privacy Policy

Information we collect

For bookings, we collect your name, email, phone number, booking dates and times, and pickup or delivery information. We also keep booking communications, agreement acceptance and signature, payment references, and claim or review information you submit. Owners provide listing, contact, pickup and payout information.

Condition and claim evidence includes photos and videos, timestamps and, when location access is allowed, GPS coordinates. When location permission is denied, evidence records that location was not available.

Identity and payment verification

Stripe Identity handles ID verification, including your ID document and selfie. Spare Watts keeps the verified name, verification date, status and verification reference, not your ID images or document numbers. Stripe handles card payments and owner payout onboarding. Our booking records use Stripe payment references and a saved payment-method reference for the charges you authorize.

Stripe’s handling and retention of information it collects are described in Stripe’s Privacy Policy.

How we use and share information

We use this information to arrange rentals and handoffs, verify identity, collect authorized payments, communicate about bookings, manage claims, and support owners and renters. Booking details needed for a handoff are shared with the relevant renter or owner; paid renters receive the pickup address. Condition evidence is used by the booking participants and authorized administrators to compare condition and resolve claims.

Service providers supporting hosting, email, identity verification and payments process the information needed for those services. We may use relevant booking and evidence records to respond to a payment dispute, claim or lawful request.

SMS / text messaging

With your permission, Spare Watts LLC sends texts through the Spare Watts Booking Texts program: booking confirmations, pickup and return reminders, relayed (masked) messages between a renter and the owner of their booking, and support follow-ups. We do not send marketing texts.

How consent is collected: renters see an optional, unchecked checkbox in the “Your details” step of booking checkout; owners see the same optional checkbox at owner sign-up and in owner settings. Texting is never required to book or list. When you opt in we record the time, the exact consent wording and version, your IP address and the phone number. If you don’t opt in, we use email instead.

Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to any text to opt out, or HELP for help; you can also email reservations@sparewatts.com or uncheck the box in owner settings.

Relayed owner/renter messages are stored on the booking so we can provide support and resolve disputes, under the retention terms below.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties.

Retention

The standard condition-photo and video retention window is 90 days after a booking closes with no claim. If a claim is filed, condition media is retained for three years after the claim closes. Open claims, disputes, chargebacks or exceptions can delay deletion. Retention settings can be adjusted; evidence needed for an unresolved matter is not deleted on the ordinary schedule.

Deleting condition media does not delete its metadata or the associated booking, payment, agreement or claim record. Those records are separate from the condition-media deletion schedule. Stripe controls retention of the ID and payment information it holds.

Browser storage

The website uses browser storage for sign-in sessions, security checks and saved preferences. Private booking links and PINs provide access to booking actions; avoid sharing them with anyone who should not have access.

Questions and requests

Contact Spare Watts LLC to ask about your information, request a correction, or request deletion. Please use the email address associated with your booking so we can verify the request. Some records may need to remain while a booking, claim, payment dispute or other required record is unresolved. Do not email us a copy of your ID or card number.