Privacy Policy
VEC Limited, trading as VAPO (“we”, “us”, and “our''), operates to protect the privacy and security of your personal information. This privacy policy discloses how we collect, store, use, and disclose the personal information of our customers and employees. This policy complies with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 (''Privacy Act''). This privacy policy applies to the personal information we collect, hold, and utilise when we carry out our business activities, communications, and interactions in our VAPO stores and online platforms.
In this Policy, “personal information” is consistent as defined in the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
We are within our right to amend this Policy at any given time. Any amendments will be updated on our website.
You are not obligated to provide your personal information to us; however, to engage with VAPO by subscribing to communications, purchasing our products in-store or online, or creating an account, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
What personal information do we collect?
Personal information refers to the information regarding a customer or employee's details in compliance with the Privacy Act.
The information VAPO can collect about customers and employees is obtained with the consent of the respective individuals. VAPO can only obtain, store, and use information willingly shared. This is also agreed upon when accessing any VAPO website.
The information VAPO can collect is inclusive of, but not limited to:
- Your name, delivery address, phone number/s, email and any other online address;
- Date of birth;
- Details of products purchased from us, both online and in-store;
- Payment and billing information as provided from online and in-store purchases;
- Additional information provided for VAPO Club and/or Subscribe & Save initiatives;
- Data shared for feedback and reviews;
- Information, including your IP address, is collected if you access the VAPO website. We are entitled to collect information from our sites via cookies. When you visit our website, you agree for us to access information provided by these cookies (small data files);
- Information regarding your browsing activity on our website. This is inclusive of (but not limited to) the date and time of your visit/s, duration of visit, pages and products viewed and the type of browser being used;
How we collect and hold information.
The personal information collected by VAPO depends on how you engage with VAPO. For example, placing an order online will require more personal information than if you only subscribe to an email list.
VAPO collects information directly from you when you provide it to us. You will provide information to us when you shop in-store or online or participate in subscription services such as our email list, VAPO Club and Subscribe & Save. VAPO can collect personal information directly when you contact our customer service team, and information can also be collected indirectly through our website and social media.
We take all reasonable action to ensure VAPO protects your personal information. We will protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. We hold your personal information in our secure customer database and by the Privacy Act. Personal information will only be released if we are granted permission directly from you or legally required.
Why do we collect personal information?
VAPO collects, uses and discloses your personal information to help us operate our business. Access to this provides us with the necessary resources to improve our customer service, user experience, and business operations. This means that VAPO holds, uses and discloses your personal information for the following purposes:
- Provide VAPO’s products and services to you;
- Communicate with you and answer any questions or provide information or advice;
- Improve and personalise your experience with us, such as when you are in-store, online or when otherwise interacting with our business;
- To provide access to products that interest you. This includes information about in-store events and product information;
- To have the ability to inform and update customers regarding industry regulation changes and VAPO regulation changes;
- Inform customers about updates to our Privacy Policy and terms and conditions;
- Process payments and orders, provide refunds and discounts, and complete any other transactions;
- Manage our stores, supply logistics and inventory, undertake our administrative and operational functions;
- Investigate a breach of any of our terms of service or terms and conditions;
- Counteract fraud, loss and theft prevention activities.
How do we disclose your information?
VAPO is responsible for protecting your personal information. We do not sell your information to anyone else.
We may disclose your personal information to undertake any of the purposes set out above or where permitted or required by law or as otherwise detailed in this Privacy Policy.
Sometimes, for the purposes listed previously, we may provide your personal information to the following;
- Our related companies;
- VAPO’s contractors and service providers, on a confidential, end-to-end encrypted basis. This may include research agencies, website development agencies, payment provider agencies, IT systems administrators, couriers, payment processors, lawyers and business partners;
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Suppliers of products and services for delivery, product warranty and recall purposes;
and - Any person to whom we are required or permitted by law to disclose personal information. This may include the NZ Police, an ambulance service, or Government departments or regulators within New Zealand concerning law enforcement activities and emergency services.
All third parties must protect any information we disclose to them. This information is protected against use elsewhere, and third parties are legally obliged to act by the Privacy Act.
We may occasionally transfer your personal information to third parties located overseas. For example;
- We utilise service providers based overseas;
- You have requested a product or service that involves an international element;
- We need to comply with foreign legal or regulatory requirements or
- An international payment has been made.
We require overseas recipients to use personal information only for the purpose for which we provide the information to ensure that our privacy obligations in respect of your personal information are not breached and to implement strict confidentiality and data protection arrangements.
How we protect your personal information.
Your personal information is kept by VAPO in electronic form and is protected by electronic and procedural safeguards. VAPO is committed to ensuring your personal information is protected in our IT systems and in the IT systems of all third parties or service providers used by VAPO.
Only authorised VAPO personnel and associated third parties can access your personal information. All contractors and third parties are obligated to act by the Privacy Act.
When VAPO no longer requires your information, it remains protected and securely kept in our IT systems. This is not disclosed further unless legally required.
SMS compliance.
VAPO may request your mobile number when checking out and initialising a purchase online. Submitting your number for an order permits us to send you text notifications regarding processing your order and shipping. Your phone number is required at checkout to complete your order in case we need to contact you. This information is stored securely within our system and is shared unless legally required.
If you wish to unsubscribe from SMS notifications, you can respond to any message sent by VAPO with STOP. Alternatively, the unsubscribe link will direct you to unsubscribe from our SMS list.
Message and data rates may apply.
For any questions, please text HELP to the number you received the message from. You can also contact our customer service team at contact@vapo.co.nz.
Email marketing communications.
VAPO will request access to your email address when you complete an order online, sign up to our database in-store, or opt-in on our website to receive email communications. Our Privacy Policy will protect your email address by the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
To complete an online order, you must provide your email address to receive order confirmation, order processing information, shipping details and any other relevant information. You can also receive email marketing communications such as product information. This will be automatically enabled at checkout, with the option of opting out.
You maintain the right to opt out of receiving email communications; in doing so, you may miss out on important information regarding your order. However, if you have any questions regarding order status, contact our friendly customer service team at contact@vapo.co.nz.
Email communications are also utilised to update customers on important regulatory changes and updates to our Privacy Policy. This information will also be made accessible on our website.
How VAPO utilises cookies and IP addresses.
VAPO utilises cookies and IP to assist us with the user experience online at www.vapo.co.nz and all related content we produce. A cookie is a piece of data that provides us with information to create a unique and targeted experience for our customers. Cookies provide us with knowledge of product preferences. Most browsers initially have cookies set up; however, you can reset your browser to refuse all cookies. If you refuse cookies, your experience on our site may be less personally catered to your preferences. We utilise cookies to improve our level of service to you and maintain an online experience that is easy to navigate.
We may also use your IP address to understand user trends, track traffic patterns and collect other demographic information such as location. Accessing your IP address also allows us to safeguard against fraud and ensure risk reduction.
Privacy Policy Update following data breach
VAPO is committed to protecting your personal information through our robust electronic and procedural safeguards. In the unlikely event of a suspected or confirmed data breach, we will promptly investigate and contain the issue. If we believe the breach has resulted in, or is likely to result in, serious harm to your privacy, we will notify you and the relevant parties.
Access to your personal information and questions.
At any given time, you can request access to your personal information. Any information you wish to update can be corrected by contacting us at the address below. The Privacy Act will act on your request. You also reserve the right to request further information on how we use your information or submit a complaint regarding how we collect, use or disclose your personal information.
VEC Limited is willing to speak to you about the personal information VAPO holds about you. If you want to know what information we hold about you or have any questions regarding our Privacy Policy, please contact our customer service team. If you are in New Zealand or Australia, call our team at 09 570 4025. You can also contact us at contact@vapo.co.nz.
If you believe any of the information held about you to be incorrect, you can contact our customer service team to correct this. Alternatively, you can update these details in your VAPO account at https://www.vapo.co.nz/account/login.
Submitting a complaint about our Privacy Policy can be done via our customer service team. We will ensure your complaint is treated with respect and is maintained confidential. If you have made a complaint, our team will contact you within a reasonable timeframe. VAPO will work to the best of our ability to resolve your complaint within 30 days.
If you have any further complaints about how we have handled your personal information, you can also direct your dispute to the New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner; see https://www.privacy.org.nz/your-rights/making-a-complaint-to-the-privacy-commissioner/
Changes to the VAPO Privacy Policy.
VAPO remains committed to keeping your information safe and secure. We will ensure that as laws or systems within our business change, this Privacy Policy will be updated to reflect these changes. When we make significant changes to our privacy policy, these will be communicated clearly on our websites or by email. Any minor changes may be implemented without notice, and these changes will be updated on our website as soon as they come into effect.
This privacy policy was last updated in September 2023.
Contact for VEC Limited, trading as VAPO.
VAPO Customer Service
PO Box 14086, Panmure, Auckland, 1072, New Zealand
Email contact: contact@vapo.co.nz
Phone: 09 570 4025