Privacy Policy
Last updated: November 3, 2026
This policy explains what ("we," "us") collects when you use hoosells.com: the product finder, Snap & Sell, and the sharing and referral features (the "Service"), and how we use it. We aim to collect as little as possible, and we don't sell personal information.
What we collect
- Photos and searches. Photos you take or upload, and what you type, to identify the item, find sellers, estimate value and write a listing.
- Location, only if you allow it. Used to rank nearby stores by distance. With each scan we keep a coarsened version, rounded to about a mile and never your exact spot, alongside anonymous scan counts, so we can show businesses aggregate demand in an area (for example, "what shoppers near here are searching for"). It's tied only to a random per-browser ID, not your name, and we don't build a profile of where you go.
- Usage analytics. Anonymous, aggregate counts such as how many photos are taken, what categories and items are scanned, the coarse area they're scanned in, and which sellers are clicked, tied to a random per-browser ID.
- Members (if you join to share): your name, email, city, the businesses you share or suggest, your links, their opens and claims, and your rewards. If you add where businesses can pay you (for example a Venmo name), we keep that too.
- Businesses: business details, address, ad photo and offer, the owner's email and name, your balance, opens, redemptions and the rewards you owe and mark paid.
- Friends claiming a deal: first name and email, to send the voucher and make sure it's used once, and which app the link was opened in (for example Instagram or WhatsApp).
- Sign-in: your email, and a one-time link and 6-digit code we send to it. We keep only a scrambled (hashed) version of the code.
- Payments: handled by Stripe. We never see or store your full card number. If pays you a reward through Stripe, your payout details are held by Stripe.
- Anything you send us, such as your email when you contact us.
How we use it
To provide and improve the Service: identify items, find local and online sellers, estimate value, write listings, run sign-in, count link opens fairly, send vouchers and reminders, show businesses their results, process payments, prevent fraud and abuse, and understand aggregate usage.
To count opens fairly we set a cookie on the device that opens a shared link and keep a scrambled (hashed) version of its network address. We use these only to filter out repeat, self, automated and fake opens. We don't read or upload your phone contacts; when you share, your own phone sends the message. We don't send marketing texts.
Who sees what inside
- A business sees the first name of customers who redeemed there and the first name of the member who sent them. A business that owes you a cash reward sees where you asked to be paid.
- A member sees the first name of friends who claimed or came in because of them.
- Your public picks page shows your first name and the businesses you share.
AI processing
To identify items, estimate prices, find a fun fact and write listings, your photo and related details are sent to our AI provider, Anthropic (Claude). We send only what's needed to produce your result.
Third parties we share data with
- Google: your search terms and approximate location, to return nearby places.
- Best Buy: the item and your approximate location, for prices and in-store stock (when enabled).
- Anthropic: your photo and item details, to identify, price and describe items and write listings.
- eBay: a search query, to fetch comparable prices (when enabled).
- Stripe: payment details you enter, to process top-ups, listing purchases, refunds and payouts.
- Resend: your email address and the message, to deliver sign-in codes, vouchers and notices.
- Render: our hosting provider, which stores the Service's data.
- Amazon and other retailers: only through outbound (sometimes affiliate) links you choose to click.
Cookies and local storage
We use a sign-in cookie to keep you signed in, a cookie that tells repeat opens apart, and your browser's local storage for a random anonymous ID and small preferences (such as whether to use your location). We don't use third-party advertising trackers.
Data retention
We keep account, referral and billing records while your account is active and as long as tax and payment rules require, and anonymous aggregate analytics to run the Service. Sign-in links and codes expire after 20 minutes. Stripe keeps payment records as its service and the law require. You can ask us to delete information associated with you.
Your choices and rights
You can decline location access and still use the Service. Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct or delete your personal information. Email and we'll help.
Children
The Service isn't directed to children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect their information. Members and businesses must be 18 or older.
Changes
We may update this policy; the "last updated" date shows when.