Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Quotem (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and shares personal information when you use our website, web app, and the Quotem mobile apps (which display this website) at https://quotem.co.za/.
Quotem is a quote marketplace that connects people who need work done (clients) with service providers (businesses) in South Africa. This policy should be read with our Terms and Conditions.
1. Who we are
Quotem is operated by Budhigg Holdings (Pty) Ltd (registration number 2026/502523/07), 5 Kew Mews, Kew Garden Lane, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa, which is the responsible party for your personal information under the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).
Information Officer: support@quotem.co.za. Contact us here for any privacy question or request.
2. Information we collect
Depending on how you use Quotem, we may collect:
- Account information: name, email address, username, password (stored in hashed form), phone number if you provide it, and whether you register as a client or a business.
- Business profile information: company name, description, logo, service categories, CIPC registration certificate and related details needed for approval and matching.
- Location and address data: addresses, place names, map coordinates, and service radius used to match clients with nearby businesses. Address lookup uses Google Places / Maps.
- Quote and marketplace content: quote requests, descriptions, categories, project dates, photos and files you upload, and business quote responses (including prices and messages).
- Subscription and payment data: if you buy a business subscription, orders are processed through our online store (WooCommerce). Card details are handled by the payment provider; we do not store full card numbers.
- Push notification tokens: if you allow notifications in the Quotem app, we store a device token so we can send you alerts about quotes and your account.
- Communications: messages or reports you send through the platform, and emails you send to support.
- Device and technical data: IP address, browser and device type, operating system, pages viewed, and similar server log data.
- Cookies: session and security cookies needed to keep you signed in (see section 7).
We do not intentionally collect special personal information. Please don’t include sensitive details you don’t need to share in quote descriptions or attachments.
3. How we use information
- Create and manage accounts, and sign you in;
- Match clients and businesses by service category and location;
- Show quote requests and responses, and support accept/decline workflows;
- Verify and moderate business registrations, content, and abuse reports;
- Process subscriptions and billing where applicable;
- Send service emails and push notifications (for example new quotes, responses, or approval updates);
- Operate, secure, debug, and improve Quotem;
- Comply with the law and enforce our Terms.
We process personal information to perform our agreement with you, to comply with legal obligations, and for our legitimate interests in running a safe marketplace. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising.
4. Sharing with third parties
We share information only as needed to run Quotem, with:
- Other Quotem users: information you choose to share on the platform, for example a client’s quote request details shown to matching businesses, or a business profile and quote responses shown to clients;
- Hosting providers that host the website and store data;
- Google Maps / Places: address searches and map features send location queries to Google under Google’s privacy policy;
- Google Firebase Cloud Messaging (and OneSignal, where enabled): to deliver push notifications to your device;
- Payment providers: to process paid subscriptions;
- Email delivery providers: to send transactional emails;
- Font and icon CDNs (Google Fonts / Material Icons), which receive standard technical requests from your browser;
- Advisors or authorities when required by law or to protect rights and safety.
We don’t use your information for third-party advertising. If we add analytics tools, we will update this policy to name them.
5. Mobile apps
The Quotem iOS and Android apps load the Quotem website, so the same account, quote, location, and cookie practices apply inside the apps. You can turn push notifications off at any time in your phone’s settings.
6. Deleting your account
You can delete your account yourself at any time inside Quotem: sign in, open My Profile (clients) or Profile (businesses), and choose Delete my account. You can also ask us by email. See Delete your Quotem account for what is removed and what we must keep.
7. Cookies
We use cookies and similar storage that are necessary for the site to work, including login, session and security cookies. You can control cookies in your browser settings, but disabling necessary cookies may stop you from signing in.
8. Data retention
We keep account and marketplace data while your account is active. When you delete your account, your profile, quote requests or quote responses, uploaded files, and notifications are deleted straight away. Records of paid orders are kept for as long as tax and accounting law requires (generally five years), and server logs and backups are overwritten on their normal cycle.
9. Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information, including encrypted (HTTPS) connections and hashed passwords. No online service is completely secure; please use a strong password and keep it private.
10. Your rights
Under POPIA you may ask to access, correct, or delete your personal information, object to certain processing, and withdraw consent. Email support@quotem.co.za; we may need to verify your identity first.
If you are unhappy with how we handle your information, you may complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa): inforegulator.org.za, POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za.
11. Children
Quotem is for adults (18+) who can enter into service agreements. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has given us information, contact us and we will delete it.
12. Cross-border transfers
Some of our service providers (for example Google) may process data outside South Africa. Where that happens, we rely on providers that are bound by data protection laws or agreements offering protection similar to POPIA.
13. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time and will change the “Last updated” date above. If a change is significant, we will let you know on the site or by email.
14. Contact
Quotem (Budhigg Holdings (Pty) Ltd)
5 Kew Mews, Kew Garden Lane, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
Email: support@quotem.co.za
Contact page: https://quotem.co.za/contact/