Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit our website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners about user behavior and preferences.

How Cookies Work

When you visit our website, cookies are downloaded to your device. These files contain information that is read by our web server when you return to the site. Cookies allow us to recognize your device and store information about your preferences or past actions.

Types of Cookie Storage

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a specified period or until manually deleted
• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by our website (deskcodes.com)
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use (analytics, advertising, etc.)

2. Types of Cookies We Use

DeskCodes uses several categories of cookies to enhance your experience on our website. Below is a comprehensive overview of each type:

3. Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. These cookies enable basic features like page navigation, access to secure areas, and shopping cart functionality. Our website cannot operate properly without these cookies.

Essential Cookies We Use

• Session Management: Maintain user sessions during website visits
• Shopping Cart: Remember items added to your cart as you browse
• Security: Protect against cross-site request forgery and other security threats
• Load Balancing: Distribute website traffic across our servers
• User Authentication: Keep you logged in to your account
• Form Data: Remember information entered in forms during your session

Cookie Details

• PHPSESSID: Session identifier (expires when browser closes)
• CART_TOKEN: Shopping cart contents (expires after 30 days)
• CSRF_TOKEN: Security token (expires when browser closes)
• USER_AUTH: User authentication status (expires after 24 hours)

4. Performance & Analytics Cookies

Performance cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This data helps us improve website performance and user experience.

Analytics Information Collected

• Page Views: Which pages are visited most frequently
• Traffic Sources: How visitors find our website
• User Journey: Navigation patterns and popular content
• Site Performance: Page load times and technical issues
• Device Information: Browser types, screen resolutions, and device categories
• Geographic Data: General location information (country/state level)

Analytics Services We Use

• Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis and user behavior insights
• Google Tag Manager: Managing and deploying marketing and analytics tags
• Heat Mapping Tools: Understanding user interaction patterns
• Site Speed Monitoring: Tracking website performance metrics

Benefits of Performance Cookies

• Identify popular card categories (Panini, Magic, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Lorcana)
• Improve website navigation and search functionality
• Optimize product pages for better user experience
• Detect and fix technical issues quickly
• Understand customer preferences and collecting patterns

5. Functional Cookies

Functional cookies enable enhanced features and personalization. They remember your choices and preferences to provide a more customized experience during future visits.

Functional Features Enabled

• Language Preferences: Remember your selected language
• Currency Settings: Display prices in your preferred currency
• Product Filters: Remember applied filters for card types, rarities, brands, etc.
• Comparison Lists: Save cards for comparison across sessions
• Recently Viewed: Display recently viewed trading cards and products
• Wishlist Items: Maintain your saved cards list
• Chat Preferences: Remember live chat settings and conversation history

Personalization Features

• Customized product recommendations based on your interests
• Personalized homepage content for returning visitors
• Saved shipping and billing information for faster checkout
• Preferred contact methods and communication settings
• Custom dashboard layouts for account holders

6. Marketing & Advertising Cookies

Marketing cookies track your browsing behavior to deliver relevant advertisements and measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. These cookies help us show you products and offers that match your interests.

Marketing Cookie Functions

• Ad Targeting: Show relevant trading card and collectible advertisements
• Retargeting: Display ads for products you've viewed on other websites
• Campaign Tracking: Measure effectiveness of marketing campaigns
• Conversion Tracking: Track sales and lead generation from advertisements
• Audience Building: Create custom audiences for targeted advertising
• Frequency Capping: Limit how often you see the same advertisement

Advertising Partners

• Google Ads: Search and display advertising campaigns
• Facebook Ads: Social media advertising and retargeting
• Microsoft Advertising: Bing search and partner network ads
• Industry Publications: Trade magazine and industry website advertising

Benefits of Marketing Cookies

• See advertisements for trading cards and collectibles that match your interests
• Receive relevant special offers and promotions
• Get updates on new card releases in your areas of interest
• Access to exclusive deals and early-bird pricing

7. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that we use to enhance functionality and provide additional features. We carefully select our third-party partners and ensure they meet our privacy standards.

Third-Party Services We Use

• Payment Processors: Secure payment processing for trading card purchases
• Customer Support: Live chat and help desk functionality
• Social Media: Social sharing buttons and embedded content
• Video Content: Embedded product demonstration videos
• Maps and Location: Store locator and shipping calculator
• Reviews and Ratings: Customer review and rating systems

Third-Party Cookie Control

While we can control our own first-party cookies, third-party cookies are controlled by the respective service providers. Each third-party service has its own privacy policy and cookie management options:

• Google Services: Managed through Google Privacy & Terms
• Social Media Platforms: Controlled through individual platform settings
• Payment Providers: Subject to their respective privacy policies
• Analytics Services: Can often be opted out through provider settings

8. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

We provide you with full control over your cookie preferences. You can accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences for different types of cookies.

Cookie Preference Options

• Accept All: Enable all cookies for the best experience
• Essential Only: Only allow required cookies
• Custom Settings: Choose specific cookie categories
• Reject All: Disable all non-essential cookies

9. Browser Cookie Settings

All modern web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can block all cookies, allow only certain types, or delete existing cookies.

Browser-Specific Instructions

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions
• Internet Explorer: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy tab

Browser Cookie Controls

• Block All Cookies: Prevent all cookies from being stored
• Block Third-Party Cookies: Allow only first-party cookies
• Delete Existing Cookies: Remove already stored cookies
• Set Exceptions: Allow or block specific websites

10. Mobile Device Settings

Mobile devices and apps may have different cookie and tracking controls. Here's how to manage these settings on popular mobile platforms:

iOS Devices (iPhone/iPad)

• Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security
• Settings > Privacy > Tracking (for app tracking)
• Settings > Privacy > Apple Advertising

Android Devices

• Chrome: Menu > Settings > Site settings > Cookies
• Settings > Google > Ads (for ad personalization)
• Settings > Privacy > Advanced (device-specific)

Mobile App Considerations

• Mobile apps may use different tracking technologies
• Check app-specific privacy settings
• Review permissions when installing apps
• Consider using privacy-focused browsers

11. Policy Updates

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will notify you of any significant changes through our website or email.

How We Notify You of Changes

• Prominent notice on our website homepage
• Email notification to registered users
• Updated "Last Modified" date at the top of this policy
• Summary of changes in our privacy center

What Constitutes Significant Changes

• New types of cookies or tracking technologies
• Changes to essential cookie requirements
• New third-party partnerships affecting cookies
• Changes to data retention periods
• Updates to your control options