Privacy policy
This Privacy Policy describes how your personal information is collected, used, and shared when you visit or make a purchase from ralphcigars.com (the “Site”).
Personal information we collect
When you visit the Site, we automatically collect certain information about your device, including information about your web browser, IP address, time zone, and some of the cookies that are installed on your device. Additionally, as you browse the Site, we collect information about the individual web pages or products that you view, what websites or search terms referred you to the Site, and information about how you interact with the Site. We refer to this automatically-collected information as “Device Information”.
We collect Device Information using the following technologies:
- “Cookies” are data files that are placed on your device or computer and often include an anonymous unique identifier. For more information about cookies, and how to disable cookies, visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org.
- “Log files” track actions occurring on the Site, and collect data including your IP address, browser type, Internet service provider, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps.
- “Web beacons”, “tags”, and “pixels” are electronic files used to record information about how you browse the Site.
- "Veratad" verifies that you are an adult 21 years or older and can legally purchase tobacco products from this site.
Additionally when you make a purchase or attempt to make a purchase through the Site, we collect certain information from you, including your name, billing address, shipping address, payment information (including credit card numbers, email address, and phone number. We refer to this information as “Order Information”.
When we talk about “Personal Information” in this Privacy Policy, we are talking both about Device Information and Order Information.
How do we use your personal information?
We use the Order Information that we collect generally to fulfill any orders placed through the Site (including processing your payment information, arranging for shipping, and providing you with invoices and/or order confirmations). Additionally, we use this Order Information to:
- Communicate with you;
- Screen our orders for potential risk or fraud; and
- When in line with the preferences you have shared with us, provide you with information or advertising relating to our products or services.
We use the Device Information that we collect to help us screen for potential risk and fraud (in particular, your IP address), and more generally to improve and optimize our Site (for example, by generating analytics about how our customers browse and interact with the Site, and to assess the success of our marketing and advertising campaigns).
Sharing you personal Information
We share your Personal Information with third parties to help us use your Personal Information, as described above. For example, we use Shopify to power our online store--you can read more about how Shopify uses your Personal Information here: https://www.shopify.com/legal/privacy. We also use Google Analytics to help us understand how our customers use the Site -- you can read more about how Google uses your Personal Information here: https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/. You can also opt-out of Google Analytics here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
Finally, we may also share your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to respond to a subpoena, search warrant or other lawful request for information we receive, or to otherwise protect our rights.
Behavioural advertising
As described above, we use your Personal Information to provide you with targeted advertisements or marketing communications we believe may be of interest to you. For more information about how targeted advertising works, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s (“NAI”) educational page at http://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising/how-does-it-work.
You can opt out of targeted advertising by using the links below:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=ads
- Google: https://www.google.com/settings/ads/anonymous
- Bing: https://advertise.bingads.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/policies/personalized-ads
- Instagram: https://help.instagram.com/1415228085373580
Additionally, you can opt out of some of these services by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out portal at: http://optout.aboutads.info/.
Your Consent to Receive Texts
By giving your phone number on the site, you consent to receive recurring automated marketing by text message through an automatic telephone dialing system. Consent is not a condition to purchase. STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Message and Data rates apply. View Privacy Policy & ToS.
You acknowledge that by voluntarily providing your telephone number(s) to Ralph’s Cigars, you expressly agree to receive text messages from us related to our promotions, products, any transaction with us, and/or your relationship with Ralph’s Cigars. These text messages may include, for example but not by way of limitation, promotional offers and changes to your account. You agree to receive text messages from us even if you cancel your account or terminate your relationship with us, except if you opt-out, as provided below. Consent to receive promotional automated texts is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services. These calls or text messages may be made even if your telephone number is registered on any state or federal Do Not Call list. You acknowledge that you may incur a charge for these text messages by your telephone carrier and that Ralph’s Cigars is not responsible for these charges.
Opt-Out Instructions
You may opt-out of automated calls or text messages at any time. To opt-out of text messages, text STOP to any text message you receive. For help, text HELP. You acknowledge and agree to accept a final text message confirming your opt-out. We may use different shortcodes for different messaging purposes, so texting STOP to one shortcode will not effectuate a stop request for all shortcodes to which you are subscribed. If you would like to stop messages from multiple shortcodes, text STOP to each shortcode to which you would like to unsubscribe. If you have any questions about opting out, please contact us at ralphscigars@yahoo.com. Please allow up to thirty (30) days to process any opt-out request. Please note that if you opt out of automated texts, we reserve the right to make non-automated calls to you relating to your account, any transaction, or your relationship with us. Your obligations under this Section will survive termination of these Registration Terms.
Do not track
Please note that we do not alter our Site’s data collection and use practices when we see a Do Not Track signal from your browser.
Data retention
When you place an order through the Site, we will maintain your Order Information for our records unless and until you ask us to delete this information.
Changes
We may update this privacy policy from time to time in order to reflect, for example, changes to our practices or for other operational, legal or regulatory reasons.
Minors
The Site is not intended for individuals under the age of 21. By entering this site you acknowledge that you are 21 years of age or older. Falsifying your age for the purpose of purchasing products from this website is strictly illegal and is punishable by law. Purchasing items on behalf of a minor is prohibited and punishable by law. We reserve the right to ask for identification upon our discretion. By shopping our store, you are confirming you are of legal smoking age in your jurisdiction. We reserve the right to deny any order if we believe it was placed by a minor. Providing a false declaration under penalties of perjury is a criminal offense.
Age Verification Policy
Why is Ralphs’ Cigars verifying my Age?
Ralph’s Cigars is dedicated to servicing our customers with premium tobacco products only if they are at least 21 years of age. At Ralph’s Cigars, our commitment is to sell Tobacco products and accessories only to customers that are 21 years of age or older. This is in compliance with Federal, State, and Local law. We appreciate your patience and understanding in helping us keep tobacco products out of the hands of minors.
Due to state rules and regulations, we cannot process any Ralph’s Cigars tobacco orders from the states of South Dakota and Utah. Additionally, due to recent changes in California Law in 2019 into 2020, Ralph’s Cigars will require an adult signature for any deliveries to California in accordance with California Senate Bill 39 (CA SB-39 Tobacco products).
How does the 3rd Party's Age Verification work?
We have partnered with a 3rd Party Age Verification Service, Veratad Technologies, LLC, to validate customers' ages and verify identity, thus fulfilling legal requirements for tobacco sales. The 3rd Party service completes an age validation by using the customer provided personal information to search trusted data sources of public records. The 3rd Party's access to public records allows them to validate the information you provide and, in some cases, depending on the nature of your purchase, present a series of multiple-choice questions based on non-credit related ("out-of-wallet") historical facts about you as an individual. These facts are obtained by instantaneously scanning billions of public records from trusted data sources containing information that would not generally be found in your wallet if lost or stolen.
Per the FDA’s minimum age requirement for tobacco purchase, your age will be verified to confirm your name, date of birth and address exactly as it appears on your government issued ID.
Veratad’s Age Match Age Verification service uses many trusted public data records and sources to return an age validation based on the personal information you submit. This service is specifically designed to validate and protect your identity while maintaining the highest level of consumer privacy when processing online transactions. Once we successfully age verify you, you won’t need to verify again if you log in and order from the same account.
Is the information I provide secure?
Absolutely, the 3rd Party's secure 256-bit encryption technology ensures the safe delivery of the information you provide online. In addition, 3rd Party DOES NOT store your sensitive personal information or share (or sell) any data with other third parties; this practice assures you that unauthorized parties cannot gain access to your sensitive personal information.
What happens if I cannot be verified by the Age Verification process?
A small percentage of shoppers may not be verifiable due to limited availability of publicly available information contained within Age Verification databases. If this happens, you may request "manual verification" by responding to our email and following directions to upload your proof of age which requires a copy of your driver's license or some other form of government issued ID like passport. You can also contact Ralph’s Cigars customer service by email and phone. To do this, we typically require a copy of your driver's license or some other form of government issued ID that verifies your date of birth. Once we receive your information your order is shipped. Of course, all your information is confidential and once your age is verified, we'll never request it again.
I live outside of the U.S., can I be verified?
Ralph’s Cigars use of the 3rd Party's Age Verification is based solely on U.S. record information and therefore verification of individuals residing outside the U.S. is unavailable. [Military Addresses outside of the US are acceptable.]
We understand your time is valuable, and at Ralph’s Cigars, we want you to know that your information is kept sure and confidential. If for any reason you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at 1-312-829-0672 or 312-877-5755 Monday-Saturday from 12:00 pm - 6:30pm CST.
How do I properly submit my age information?
If prompted to upload a copy of your ID, the easiest way to do this is to provide us with a copy of your current Driver’s License or other government issued ID that confirms your name, address and date of birth.
Simply scan or take a picture of your Driver’s License or government ID with your mobile device and choose one of the following options:
1) Best Option for Fastest Verification and Processing: Upload your image or photo of ID through this easy link: https://register.veratad.com/ralphcigars
2) Visit ralphcigars.com and look in the footer and click or tap our Terms of Service link. View "Section 1A - Age Verification Policy".
3) Call Us: If for any reason you need help, please call us at 312-829-0672 or 312-877-5755. They will gladly walk you through the age verification process.
Contact us
For more information about our privacy practices, if you have questions, or if you would like to make a complaint, please contact us by e‑mail at ralphscigars@yahoo.com or by mail using the details provided below:
Ralphs Cigars
[Re: Privacy Compliance Officer]
Ralph's Cigars, 1154 West Taylor Street, Chicago IL 60607, United States