Serial Scout (“we”, “us”, or “the site”) is a search tool that helps users find serial-numbered sports card listings on eBay. This policy explains what information we collect when you visit serialscout.com, how we use it, and the choices you have.

Information we collect

Automatically collected. When you visit the site, our hosting provider records standard server information including your IP address, browser type, referring page, pages viewed, and the date and time of your visit. This information is used for security, debugging, and performance monitoring.

No account required. Browsing Serial Scout does not require accounts or sign-ups, and we do not collect personal information from visitors directly. The one exception is the optional email alerts feature described below, which applies only if you choose to give us your email address.

Analytics. We use Google Analytics 4 and Vercel Analytics to understand aggregate site traffic, popular pages, and general visitor patterns. Google Analytics sets cookies on your device to track visits across sessions; Vercel Analytics is privacy-focused and does not set cookies. We have enabled IP anonymization in Google Analytics, which truncates IP addresses before they are processed. We also record a small set of usage events (page views, searches, and clicks out to eBay) in our own database, tied to a random session identifier rather than to your name or email.

Advertising and measurement. We advertise Serial Scout on TikTok and Google, and we use their measurement tools to see which ads bring visitors who find the site useful. The TikTok Pixel and Google Ads conversion tracking load on this site and may set cookies or similar identifiers on your device. These are advertising and measurement technologies, and they share limited event information (such as that a search or an outbound click happened) with TikTok and Google, who may use it to measure and target advertising, including advertising you see on their own platforms. We do not sell your personal information for money.

Cookies and local storage. Cookies set on serialscout.com come from Google Analytics, the TikTok Pixel, Google Ads conversion tracking, and our hosting provider for essential site functionality. Serial Scout also stores a few small values in your browser’s local storage, which stay on your device and are not shared with anyone: a random session identifier used to group your page views, which layout you were shown when we are testing a design change, and whether you have dismissed the serial-number accuracy reminder. Clicking through to eBay may result in additional cookies set by eBay; see the eBay section below.

Your choices. You can clear or block these at any time using your browser’s cookie and site-data settings, or by browsing in a private window. To opt out of Google Analytics specifically, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. Ad personalization can be limited in your Google Ad Center and in the TikTok app under Settings, Privacy, Ads. Blocking any of this does not limit your use of the site.

Email alerts (optional)

If you create an email alert, we collect and store the email address you provide, the search criteria you choose (such as a player name, serial number, or print run), and a random token that authenticates your manage and unsubscribe links. We use this only to email you the matching listings you asked for. We do not use it for any other marketing, and we never sell or share it.

Consent and opt-out. We email you only because you explicitly requested these alerts. Every alert email contains a one-click unsubscribe link and a link to manage or delete your alerts, with no login required. Unsubscribing stops all alert email immediately. You may also contact us to have your subscriber record deleted entirely.

Processors and retention. Alert emails are delivered through Resend, our email provider, and subscriber records are stored in our own access-controlled database hosted on Amazon Web Services. We keep your alert record until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete it; unsubscribed addresses are retained only on a suppression list so that we do not email you again by mistake.

Affiliate links and third parties

Serial Scout participates in the eBay Partner Network. Links from Serial Scout to eBay listings include tracking parameters that allow eBay to attribute clicks and purchases to us. When you click one of these links, eBay may set cookies on your device and collect information about your activity on eBay according to eBay’s own privacy policy.

We do not control eBay’s practices. To learn how eBay handles your information, see eBay’s User Privacy Notice.

Beyond eBay, the third parties that receive information from this site are our hosting and analytics providers (Vercel and Google Analytics) and our advertising platforms (TikTok and Google Ads), each described above. Each has its own privacy policy governing what it does with that information.

How we use information

We use the limited information we collect to:

• Operate, maintain, and secure the site
• Diagnose technical issues and prevent abuse
• Understand aggregate traffic patterns (e.g. which pages are popular)
• Comply with legal obligations

We do not sell visitor information for money. As described under “Advertising and measurement” above, the TikTok Pixel and Google Ads conversion tracking do share limited event information with those platforms, which some privacy laws treat as “sharing” for cross-context behavioral advertising.

Data retention

Server logs are retained by our hosting provider for the period defined by their standard retention (typically 30 days). We do not maintain a separate copy of visitor logs beyond that window.

Your rights

Depending on where you live (including under the EU and UK GDPR), you may have rights regarding personal information about you, including the right to access, correct, delete, or restrict its use and to withdraw consent. The only personal information we store is the email address and search criteria of alert subscribers (see “Email alerts” above). You can exercise these rights at any time using the unsubscribe or manage link in any alert email, or by contacting us at the address below, and we will respond within the time required by applicable law.

California residents: You have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA). We do not sell personal information for money. We do use the TikTok Pixel and Google Ads conversion tracking, which the CPRA may treat as “sharing” personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. You can stop that sharing by blocking cookies in your browser, by sending a Global Privacy Control signal, or by writing to us at the address below, and we will honor the request.

Children under 13

Serial Scout is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will reflect the most recent change. Material changes will be highlighted on the site for a reasonable period.

Contact

Questions or requests can be sent to SerialScout@gmail.com.