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Southern States Cooperative, Incorporated
Privacy Policy
A. Collection of Information
Southern States Cooperative, Incorporated (“SSC”)* is committed to protecting your personal information while providing individualized service and customized technology. All of your personal information that is collected will be used for the purposes of fulfilling, tracking and storing orders, providing personalized services, conducting business, maintaining accounts, informing you about promotions and other marketing events and conducting research directly related to our business purposes. Information may be shared with third party service providers in order to accomplish these services. Under no circumstances will information you send us be sold, distributed, disclosed or otherwise shared with third parties, except as specified in this policy.
*For purposes of this policy, “SouthernStates.com”, and references to “website” will automatically include SouthernStates.com and any SSC owned, administered or sponsored website, mobile application or other media.
1. How Personal Information is Collected
SSC may collect personal information from you when you:
- Purchase, order, return or exchange any product on SouthernStates.com
- Visit any retail location where your information is submitted
- Sign up to receive emails or other marketing communications from SSC or approved third parties
- Request information such as warranty or tax exempt information, or certain information about SSC’s products or services
- Contact a Service, Managed Cooperative or Dealer, or call directly to one of SSC’s customer service centers
- Respond to a survey
- Download/ use any SSC mobile application
- Participate in online activities such as SSC’s Facebook page, twitter, blogs or other social media
- Enter a sweepstakes or sponsored promotion
2. Shopping. If you use a credit card to make in store purchases, SSC will collect your debit or credit card information and retain a history of your purchases. When you purchase products online, other information such as IP address, cookies, profile information, click tracking and tracer tags, may be monitored and collected without asking you to provide it. You can use SouthernStates.com or any of our mobile applications at any time without being a registered user. However, even if you do not register, we will collect information such as page requests, time spent, browser type etc…to monitor and improve our website and applications.
B. Cookies. SSC uses a technology called “Cookies”. A Cookie is a piece of data that we can send to your browser which is then stored in your hard drive so our website can recognize you when you return to it. Any page where you are asked to log in, register or which is otherwise customized to your preferences, requires that you accept Cookies. Cookies are used to let us know who you are, allow us to access your account information (stored on our system) and to deliver personalized services and product information. Cookies allow us to personalize our websites and applications in accordance with your set preferences. Cookies are also required to optimize the user or shopper experience on our websites. If you disable your Cookies setting on your Web browser, the functionality of our websites and applications may be limited.
C. Email Policy. When you sign up to receive email communications from SSC, SouthernStates.com or any application, the information will only be used to receive such communications, whether in the form of promotional emails, targeted mailings or other media. You may opt out at any time by editing your profile or by following the unsubscribe link on the communication. To opt in, you may edit your profile and select the information you would like to receive.
[Notice to California Residents] If you are a California Resident, you have the right to receive 1) information identifying third parties to whom Southern States may have disclosed, within the past twelve months, personal information for that third party’s direct marketing purpose; and 2) a description of the categories of personal information that was disclosed. To receive that information please contact Southern States.
D. Marketing to Children. SouthernStates.com does not sell products for purchase by children. If a user is under the age of 18, he or she is encouraged to use SouthernStates.com with the guidance of an adult or parent. Information will never be knowingly requested from anyone under the age of 13 without making best efforts to obtain valid parental consent. If a child has obtained access and data was received without parental consent, please contact SouthernStates@sscoop.com and such data shall be removed as soon as possible.
E. Third Parties. SouthernStates.com may contain links to third party websites to provide additional information about products or services sold or provided by SSC. Provision of these links is done so for convenience and informational purposes only and not as an endorsement. SSC claims no responsibility for the privacy and data security policies of third parties.
F. Intellectual Property. SSC is the exclusive owner of all intellectual property and other aspects of any SSC website or mobile application. Trademarks, logos, service marks, copyrights, patents and any other intellectual property are the sole property of SSC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain functionality provided via this website may be covered by U.S. Patent 5,930,474.
G. User Generated Content. You also may be able to submit and upload information, comments, photographs or other images to message boards, blogs, galleries or comment boards once you have registered on SouthernStates.com, either on SouthernStates.com or on another SSC sponsored website, mobile application or other service. In order to register on SouthernStates.com and to use any other affiliated or sponsored website or any mobile application you will be asked to set up a username and password for access to personalized information. You are solely responsible for all activities occurring under a username and for keeping the password secure. SSC may, at its discretion, refuse to grant you a username that is vulgar, offensive or otherwise inappropriate.
You may not submit content that constitutes confidential or proprietary information. Further, you may not copy, change, distribute or display or sell any of SSC’s information, including posting and images from the website, both owned by SSC and generated by other users. By submitting information to the website you grant SSC a non-exclusive, irrevocable license to publicly display or redisplay the information, comment, photograph or other image on its websites and mobile applications and in all forms of media used by SSC in promotions, marketing and all other uses.
SSC makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of any user generated content and such information does not represent SSC’s opinions or advice. SSC may remove, without notice to you or other users, any content it finds, at its discretion, to be unlawful, fraudulent, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene or otherwise objectionable, or infringing or violating proprietary rights. Neither SSC nor its employees shall be responsible for content that is misleading or otherwise false or for any results that are achieved by using or relying on such information. Furthermore, SSC may terminate your account or stop you from using SouthernStates.com or any mobile application at any time without notice and without liability. You are solely responsible for orders placed on the website prior to such termination.
H. Disclaimer. Users of SouthernStates.com assume all responsibility and risk for use of SouthernStates.com, and the internet generally. SouthernStates.com is provided AS IS. SSC makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of this website or the information, content, materials, or products included in the website to the fullest extent permissible by applicable law, SSC and its subsidiaries disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of intellectual property rights or other proprietary rights, and freedom from errors, viruses, bugs, or other harmful components. SSC and its subsidiaries will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this website, including but not limited to direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential damages or damages resulting from loss of use, data, profits or business interruption arising out of or in any way connected with the use of this website, or the internet in general, and delays on the website, or the inability to use the website, any portion therefrom or any hyperlinked website, whether based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability or otherwise, even if SSC or any of its subsidiaries has been advised of the possibility of such damages. You shall indemnify Southern States and its affiliates, employees, officers, directors and members from any damages, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or connected to the use of the website by Customers.
I. Jurisdiction and Governing Law. The use of SouthernStates.com shall be governed by and enforced by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Users agree that the venue for any actions relating to the use of the site or the terms and conditions herein, shall be in a court of competent jurisdiction in Henrico County, Virginia.
J. Force Majeure. SSC is not responsible for delays, failures of the website or other changes due to reasons beyond its control including acts of God, natural disaster, weather delays, labor or governmental regulations, communication or computer failures or the failures and acts of third parties.
K. Security. SSC understands your concerns about the security of online transactions. The website is equipped with the most advanced Secured Socket Layer (SSL) technology to ensure the privacy of any information submitted on the website. The SSL encrypts the order into a highly difficult decipher code that is immediately processed. Once you have completed shopping and move to checkout, the entire checkout process is contained in the secure area. At all times, information collected on this site shall be kept strictly confidential.
Information collected to track user sessions is not linked to personal identities nor is information linked to other users who may be browsing the site. SSC uses cookies to track preferences and to personalize content on the website, however, you always have an option to deactivate cookies through your browser software.
L. Use of Website and Applications. Making an online order, requesting information or downloading any applications from SouthernStates.com and or SSC is subject to your acceptance of these terms and conditions which is presumed when you use SouthernStates.com or its applications. SSC may limit or refuse access to you if we believe there has been a fraudulent or suspicious use of our website including but not limited to credit card fraud or other misuses of personal information. In such case, SSC shall contact you via the email address on the account.
M. Payment/Online Coupons and Promotions. Orders from SouthernStates.com may be paid for using any of the major credit cards accepted in the United States of America: Visa ®, Mastercard ®, American Express ® and Discover ® Card. Other cards may also be accepted on the website. At this time SSC does accept SSC Gift Cards as a method of payment for internet orders, however, is unable to refund returns back to the Gift Cards.
Some SSC Coupons are valid online where available. All SSC coupons may be used at Southern States retail locations unless otherwise indicated on the coupon. Other restrictions may apply.
N. Sales Tax. SSC collects and remits sales tax as required by the states in which it does business. SSC cannot accommodate tax exempt status online. If you have tax exempt status and are not currently a customer of Southern States please visit your nearest Southern States retail location to fill out the appropriate paperwork for future in store purchases.
O. Products Available at SouthernStates.com. Because SSC is constantly upgrading and changing its inventory and products, it cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information pertaining to products including but not limited to pricing, product images or specific details about the product.
Information about pricing, advertising, marketing, product information and availability may be changed or updated without notice. Pricing information may vary from advertised prices elsewhere due to availability and varying conditions in different geographical areas. SSC makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of the content of the website and assumes no liability for any errors or omissions herein.
Pricing on this site may and will vary from same or similar products in SSC retail locations or in other advertising materials. Product prices do not include shipping and handling or sales tax which will be reflected on your invoice.
Furthermore, SSC tries to show the product image as close to the actual product as possible but cannot guarantee that colors online will match those of the in store products as color can be distorted by a computer monitor.
P. Warranty. Products sold on SouthernStates.com are the responsibility of the manufacturer or provider of those products and are covered by the warranties offered with those products. Please refer to the warranty information included in the products for directions on how to call the manufacturer to make a warranty claim.
SSC and its retail service agencies guarantee the seeds or bulbs sold are as represented on the label and have been labeled as required under state and federal seed laws. This express guarantee is in lieu of all other guarantees whether expressed or implied as to the merchantability or fitness. Our liability in this transaction is limited in amount to the purchase price of the seeds or bulbs. There is no guarantee unless patron reports within 30 days after discovery any conditions indicating unsatisfactory results. No representative of Southern States or its retail service agencies may vary any of the foregoing.
Q. Product Suitability. Different states and locales have regulations as to the sale, construction and use of certain products for certain purposes which may vary from area to area. SSC tries to comply with such regulations but cannot guarantee compliance and is not responsible for how the product is used or installed. Please read any instructions or indications for the product and be familiar with any regulations pertaining to that product to be sure that your use and installation will be compliant.
R. Returns for Online Purchases. Regularly Shipped Products: All products must be returned in their original new, unaltered condition with the original tags and labels within thirty (30) days of purchase. Once the item being returned is received at the Southern States Distribution Center, credit will be issued to the original form of payment. Original shipping charges will not be refunded. Customer is responsible for paying return shipping. Credits on returns will be processed within fourteen (14) business days of receipt of the return.
NOTE: If a payment is being refunded to a card no longer in possession or that is expired, it is the customer’s responsibility to inform the issuer of that card to receive the refund. If the credit card is no longer in use, a SSC Gift Card will be issued.
Keep a copy of all documentation (packing slip, shipping information) for your records.
Gift Cards as Payment: Refunds on purchases made with a gift card will be wholly refunded by means of gift card.
Online Gift Card Purchases: Southern States gift cards purchased on-line are non-refundable.
Product Defect/Product Damage: If you have a return due to product defect or damage, contact our Customer Service Center within 10 days from receipt either by phone at 1-866-372-8272 or e-mail at ssc-customerservice@sscoop.com. Customer Service will provide you with information on the proper handling of the merchandise. Damaged goods must be returned within ten (10) business days.
S. Checking Order Status. All orders can be tracked using the My Profile link. You will receive a shipping confirmation sent to your email along with an order tracking number through UPS. Please call Customer Service immediately if there is an issue with your order.
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