Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions at Smoky Mountains By Owners

PRIVACY POLICY

Definition Of Privacy Policy

A Privacy Policy is required by law if a website collects personal data. Personal data is any information that can identify an individual. A Privacy Policy agreement is used to indicate that a website collects personal data, explains what kind of personal data is collected, and explains what is done with that data.

A Privacy Policy is not the same as the Terms & Conditions. Terms & Conditions is the agreement that includes the rules and guidelines that onemust agree to in order to use a website. Please click on Our Terms & Conditions link at the bottom of the website to read more.

What You Are Agreeing To

SMBYO.com, SmokyMountainsbyOwners.com (“SMBYO.com,” (“SmokyMountainsbyOwners.com,”) (“Us, Our, We”) owns and operates SMBYO.com andSmokyMountainsbyOwners.com (the “Site”). Please read Our Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) carefully before using Our Site. By accessing or using Our Site, You (“You, Your”) agree to Our Privacy Policy. By agreeing to Our Privacy Policy, You are entering into a legally binding agreement between You and SmokyMountainsbyOwners.com.

This page informs You of Our policies regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of Your Personal Identifiable Information (“Personal Information”) that We receive

from You. Our Privacy Policy applies to Our Site and all products and services offered by Us.

We use Your Personal Information only for providing and improving Our Site. By using Our Site, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with Our Privacy Policy. Unless otherwise defined in Our Privacy Policy, terms used in Our Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in Our Terms & Conditions, accessible at SmokyMountainsbyOwners.com.

Personal Information Collected

We may collect Personal Information from You in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when You visit Our Site, purchase an annual subscription plan, fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources that We make available on Our Site. You may be asked for Your name, email address, mailing address, phone number, and credit card information.

Collecting Your Personal Information

We collect Personal Information from You when You subscribe to an annual subscription plan, a form is filled out, or information is entered into Our Site. We will collect Personal Information from You only if voluntarily submitted. You can always refuse to supply Personal Information, keeping in mind that it may prevent engaging in certain Site related activities.

How We Use Your Personal Information

We may use the Personal Information We collect from You to quickly process transactions, respond to inquiries, or use other Site related features.

How We Protect Your Personal Information

The security of Your Personal Information is important to Us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. While We strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect Your Personal Information, We cannot guarantee its absolute security. We implement a variety of security measures when You subscribe to an annual subscription, submit, or accesses information to maintain the safety of Your Personal Information.

Our Site is scanned daily using SiteLock, employing malware scanning.

Sensitive and private data exchange between Our Site and You happens over a SSL secured communication channel and is encrypted and protected with digital signatures.

Collecting Log Data:

Like many site operators, We may collect information data (“LogData”) that Your browser automatically sends whenever You visit Our Site. This Log Data may include information such as Your computer's Internet Protocol ("IP") address, browser type, browser version, the pages of Our Site that You visit, the time and date of Your visit, the time spent on those pages, and other statistics.

Browser Cookies

Cookies are files with small amounts of data that are sent to Your browser from a website and stored on Your computer's hard drive that enables the website to recognize Your browser and capture and remember certain information.

Using Web Browser Cookies

We may use "cookies" to collect information. For instance, cookies can be used to remember and process the items in Your shopping cart. They can also be used to help Us understand Your preferences based on previous or current Site activity, which enables Us to provide You with improved services. They can also be used to compile data about the Site traffic and Site interaction so that We can offer a better Site-experience and provide useful tools in the future.

Disabling Web Browser Cookies

You can choose to have Your computer warn You each time a cookie is being sent, or You can choose to turn off all cookies.

You do this through Your internet browser settings. Each internet browser works differently, so look at the Help Menu to learn the correct way to modify Your Cookies.

Please note that if You do not accept cookies, You may not be able to use some portions of Our Site and some features may not function properly.

Newsletters

If You sign-up as an Owner or Property Manager on Our Site, You will receive Our Owner newsletter. You may cancel Your newsletter subscription at any time.

Email

We ask for Your email address for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to the following:

  • It is required to list Your property as a security measure to validate Your identity
  • It is required to register and join Our Site
  • Preferred method of communication
  • Receive advertisements and promotions
  • Receive Our newsletters

Policy Regarding 3rd Party Disclosures

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties Your Personal Information, except to the extent necessary to provide the service.

Policy Regarding 3rd Party Links:

Occasionally, at Our discretion, We may include a link that offers 3rd party products, services, or news articles on Our Site. If You click on these links, You will be directed to that 3rd party’s site. These 3rd party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We strongly advise You to review the privacy policy of every site You visit.

We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any 3rd party sites or services.

We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from Our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to Our Site, is subject to that website's own terms and policies.

Linking to personal sites and Social Media pages only. We reserve the right to remove any links to other listings sites.

Fair Information Principles

Should a data breach occur, We will notify You by Email within 1 business day and We will post a notice on Our Site within 1 business day.

Revising Our Privacy Policy:

We have the discretion to update Our Privacy Policy at any time. We will notify You of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on Our Site. We encourage You to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how We are helping to protect the Personal Information We collect.

You acknowledge and agree that it is Your responsibility to review Our Privacy Policy periodically and become aware of modifications. By continuing to access Our Site after the new Privacy Policy become effective, You agree to be bound by the new Privacy Policy. If You do not agree with Our new Privacy Policy, please stop using Our Site.

Acceptance Of Terms

By using Our Site, You signify Your acceptance of Our Privacy Policy and Our Terms & Conditions. If You do not agree to Our Privacy Policy, please do not use Our Site. Your continued use of Our Site following the posting of changes to Our Privacy Policy will be deemed Your acceptance of those changes.

Online Booking Acceptance Of Terms

If You use the online booking option, You also agree to the privacy policy of ivacationonline.com. Please read the privacy policy of the ivacationonline.com website before You book a property using the online booking feature.

Questions

If You have any questions about Our Privacy Policy, the practices of Our Site, or Your dealings with Our Site, please Contact Us.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Definition Of Terms & Conditions

A Terms & Conditions Agreement includes the terms, the rules, and the guidelines of acceptable behavior, to which you must agree to in order to use or access a website and its services.

Terms & Conditions is not the same as a Privacy Policy. A Privacy Policy is used if you collect personal data that can identify an individual. Please click on Our Privacy Policy link at the bottom of the website to read more.

What You Are Agreeing To

SMBYO.com, SmokyMountainsbyOwners.com (“SMBYO.com,” (“SmokyMountainsbyOwners.com,”) (“Us, Our, We”) owns and operates SMBYO.com andSmokyMountainsbyOwners.com (the “Site”). Please read Our Terms & Conditions (“Terms & Conditions”) carefully before using Our Site. By accessing or using Our Site, You (“You, Your”) agree to Our Terms & Conditions. By agreeing to Our Terms & Conditions, You are entering into a legally binding agreement between You and SmokyMountainsbyOwners.com.

This page informs You of Our Terms & Conditions established to use Our Site. The Terms & Conditions applies to Our Site and all products and services offered by Us.

Who Can Use Our Site

You must be at least 18 years old to use Our Site. You must have the capacity to enter into a legally binding contract, including sound mind and competence.

Online Venue To Advertise Vacation Rentals

SmokyMountainsbyOwners.com is a venue for owners (“Owners”) and property managers (“Property Managers”) to list their vacation rentals and for travelers (“Travelers”) to rent out the vacation rentals. We are strictly a listing website. We do not own any of the properties on Our Site. We are not a management company - We do not manage any of the properties on Our Site. We are not realtors. We are strictly an online advertisement venue advertising vacation rentals.

Parties To Rental Agreement

We are not a party to the rental agreement. Even if You use Our online booking feature, this only facilitates the booking, it does not make Us a party to the rental agreement. The rental agreement is entered into between Owners or Property Managers and Travelers.

Liability Of Owners Or Property Managers And Travelers

Agreements entered into between Owners or Property Managers and Travelers are the responsibility of the Owners or Property Managers and Travelers. We have no involvement in the communications, agreements, or transactions amongst Owners or Property Managers and Travelers.

Owners’ Or Property Managers’ Responsibility: All content provided about their property, description of property, accuracy of description, photos provided, implementation of security and safety features of the property, quality and condition of the property, the truth and accuracy about their listing, and compliance with all rules, regulations, and laws applicable to their rental property.

Travelers’ Responsibility: Writing accurate reviews about the property, the truth and accuracy about the property, leaving the condition of the property the same as when they entered, not taking anything out of the property that is not theirs, not entering or using any room or feature that is off limits, complying with all rules in accordance with the listing

Ownership Of Site Content, Work Product, And Intellectual Property Rights

Us and the licensors own the content of Our Site, work product, and intellectual property rights, and are thus protected by copyright laws. You agree that all work product developed by Our Site is owned by Us and its licensors. You shall retain no ownership, interest, or rights therein.

Site content includes the descriptions and photos provided by Owners or Property Managers about their listing. You shall not copy or plagiarize any of the descriptions, reviews, or photos from a listing.

Usage of Trademarks

The trademarks, names, logos and service marks (collectively “Trademarks”) displayed on Our Site are registered and unregistered trademarks of Us. Nothing contained on Our Site should be construed as granting any license or right to use any trademark without the prior written permission of Us.

Blocking Access To Our Site

We may terminate Your access to Our Site immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including abuse.

Prohibited Behavior On Our Site

You must not misuse Our Site. You will not do the following: commit or encourage a criminal offense; transmit or distribute a virus, trojan, worm, logic bomb or any other material which is malicious, technologically harmful, in breach of confidence or in any way offensive or obscene; hack into any aspect of Our Site; corrupt data; cause annoyance to other users; infringe upon the rights of any other person's proprietary rights; send any unsolicited advertising or promotional material, commonly referred to as "spam"; or attempt to affect the performance or functionality of any computer facilities of or accessed through Our Site.

Consequences Of Engaging In Prohibited Behavior

Breaching the above provision would constitute a criminal offense and We will report You to the appropriate authorities.

Liability For Prohibited Behavior

We will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by a distributed denial-of-service attacks, viruses, or other technologically harmful material that may infect Your computer equipment, computer programs, data or other proprietary material due to Your use of Our Site, or to Your downloading of any material posted on it, or on any website linked to it.

Policy Regarding 3rd Party Disclosures

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties Your Personal Information (“Personal Information”), except to the extent necessary to provide the service. Please review Our Privacy Policy for more information.

Policy Regarding 3rd Party Links

Occasionally, at Our discretion, We may include a link that offers 3rd party products, services, or news articles on Our Site. If You click on these links, You will be directed to that 3rd party’s site. These 3rd party sites have separate and independent terms and condition policies. We strongly advise You to review the terms and conditions of every site You visit. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for the content, terms and conditions, or practices of any 3rd party sites or services.

We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from Our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own terms and conditions and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to Our Site, is subject to that website's own terms and policies.

Identity Verification Of Owner Or Property Manager And Traveler

Identification of an individual is hard to validate over the internet. We do not assume any liability or responsibility for confirmation of a person’s identity. We suggest You do the following:

Call The Owner Or Property Manager:Call the Owner or Property Manager and speak with them directly. All of Our listings require that the Owner or Property Manager provide a phone number as an added security measure.

Read Guest Reviews: A feature of Our listing Site is to allow Travelers to leave reviews once they have departed the property. Owners or Property Managers can’t hide negative reviews or edit reviews.

Call Previous Guests: Ask the Owner or Property Manager to provide You with phone numbers of past guests who have agreed to be references. Ask the guests about their experience.

Location Maps

Owners or Property Managers can use the location map feature to show where the property is located. We are not responsible for the accuracy of property location. Location maps on the Site are through Google Maps. Please read the Google Maps terms and conditions before adding this feature to Your listing.

Third-Party Software Available On The Site

The Site is controlled and operated by SmokyMountainsbyOwners.com. ivacationonline.com software is vacation rental software and is available for Owners or Property Managers who wish to include the online booking feature. Please read the terms and conditions of ivacationonline.com before including it as part of Your listing.

Disclaimer Of Liability

We shall not be responsible for and disclaim all liability for the following: any loss, liability, damage (whether direct, indirect or consequential), personal injury or expense of any nature whatsoever which may be suffered by You or any 3rd party (including Your company), as a result of or which may be attributable, directly or indirectly, to Your access and use of Our Site, any information contained on Our Site, You or Your company’s personal information or material and information transmitted over Our Site.

Warranties Of Our Site

Neither Us nor Our Site make any warranties, representations, statements or guarantees (whether express, implied in law or residual) regarding Our Site, this specifically includes not performing or offering any legal or realtor services or advice.

Acknowledgement That The Descriptions And List Of Amenities You Provide Are Truthful And Accurate

You acknowledge that You have provided accurate and truthful descriptions/photos and representations of Your property to Us for the purpose of listing it on Our Site, to the best of Your knowledge. The description and photos of Your property is accurate on the date You list Your property on Our Site. Neither Us nor Our Sitewill be held responsible for inaccurate or false information provided to Us.

No Guarantee That Your Property Will Be Booked

You understand that We do not guarantee that Your listing will turn into a booking. You understand that Your chances are improved by having Your property listed on Our Site.

Refunds: There are no refunds and You will not be prorated any amount regardless if the following occur:

  • You join Our listing site and pay for an annual plan
  • Your property does not get booked
  • You sell Your property
  • You decide to not advertise on Our site anymore

Annual Subscription Rates

The annual subscription rate is a set price valid for one year. The rate will not change during the subscription period. However, We do reserve the right to change the rate once Your subscription has expired or is up for renewal.

Guarantees

We do Our best to ensure that properties listed on Our Site are accurate representations of the description and amenities provided, and that the Owners and Property Managers are legitimate.

To help ensure that the vacation rental meets Your expectations, We suggest You do the following:

Book Your Reservation Using A Credit Card: We strongly advise that You book Your reservation using a credit card. If there is a problem with Your stay, Your credit card covers purchases and You can contact Your credit card company directly to dispute a charge. Please note that using a credit card does not necessarily protect You from disappointment or dissatisfaction. It will protect You against fraud or if the rental is unavailable for Your stay.

Call The Owner Directly: Call the Owner or Property Manager, don’t just communicate via email. Speaking to an Owner or Property Manager provides re-assurance that the Owner or Property Manager is who they say they are.

Check Out The Property In Advance: If You are able to physically inspect the property, do it! This virtually eliminates any potential misrepresentation. If You are unable to inspect the property in advance, hire a 3rd party to do so on Your behalf.

Trip Cancellation Protection: We recommend that You purchase trip cancellation protection. Click here for the link to Travel Guard Travel Insurance that We sell.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Us, Our Site, its directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents, and affiliates, from any and all 3rd party claims, liability, damages and/or costs (including, but not limited to, legal fees) arising from Your use of Our Site or Your breach of Our Terms & Conditions.

Governing Law

The Terms & Conditions shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws and jurisdiction of Cincinnati, Ohio United States.

Conflicting Terms

If there is a conflict or contradiction between conflicting terms on Our Site regarding specific policies, the relevant terms will prevail.

Severing The Terms & Conditions

Any provision of any relevant terms and conditions, policies and notices which is unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall be treated as void and the remaining provisions of any relevant terms and conditions, policies and notices shall remain in full force and effect.

Revising Our Terms & Conditions

We have the discretion to update Our Terms & Conditions at any time. We will notify You of any changes by posting the new Terms & Conditions on Our Site. We encourage You to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about any new terms taking effect.

You acknowledge and agree that it is Your responsibility to review Our Terms & Conditions periodically and become aware of modifications. By continuing to access Our Site after the new Terms & Conditions become effective, You agree to be bound by the new Terms & Conditions. If You do not agree with the new Terms & Conditions, please stop using Our Site.

Acceptance Of Terms

By using Our Site, You signify Your acceptance of Our Privacy Policy and Our Terms & Conditions. If You do not agree to Our Terms & Conditions, please do not use Our Site. Your continued use of Our Site following the posting of changes to Our Terms & Conditions will be deemed Your acceptance of those changes.

Online Booking Acceptance Of Terms

If You use the online booking option, You also agree to the terms and conditions of ivacationonline.com. Please read the terms and conditions of the ivacationonline.com website before You book a property using the online booking feature.

Entire Agreement

The above Terms & Conditions constitute the Entire Agreement between You and Our Site and supersede any and all preceding and contemporaneous agreements between You and Our Site. Any waiver of any provision of the Terms & Conditions will be effective only if in writing and signed by a Director of Our Site.

Questions

If You have any questions about Our Terms & Conditions, the practices of Our Site, or Your dealings with Our Site, please Contact Us.

TOVG – True Owner Verification Guarantee

EmeraldCoastByOwner.com (ECBYO) and SmokeyMountainsbyowners.com (SMBYO) offer a True Owner Verification Guarantee (“TOVG”) to customers who pay by credit card via our online platform.

The terms “you, “your” or “User” refer to the customer visiting either ECBYO or SMBYO and paying by credit card on either online platform found on the above referenced sites to rent a rental property displayed on one or both of the websites.

If you do not agree to the following terms and conditions, then you have no right to obtain reimbursement or claim any other rights under the TOVG.

We may revise TOVG at any time and in our sole discretion by amending the applicable web page on either or both websites or by publishing notices elsewhere on one or both of the websites.

To qualify for reimbursement under TOVG, you must ensure that all of the following apply:

  1. The property you rented (the “Rental”) was listed on either ECBYO or SMBYO when you reserved it;
  2. You paid for the Rental by credit card through an online payment platform found on ECBYO, SMBYO, or an online site to which you were immediately directed to from the ECBYO or SMBYO property listing page;
  3. The person or entity listing the Rental on ECBYO or SMBYO, was neither the owner of the Rental or an agent authorized by the owner of the Rental to rent the property;
  4. The Rental was unavailable and/or the owner was unwilling to let you stay at the Rental during the times you reserved;
  5. You took all reasonable steps to resolve the issue with the Rental owner and/or agent authorized by the Rental owner to handle such matters;
  6. You are the person who made the booking; and
  1. You comply with all other requirements under TOVG.

The maximum amount you will be reimbursed under TOVG is the total amount you paid via credit card through the online payment platform referenced above.

You may not qualify for reimbursement under TOVG if you have received a chargeback from your credit card company or if you have already been reimbursed by any other third party for an amount at or above the amount of you paid for the Rental by credit card on the online platform.

To receive reimbursement you must provide us with:

  1. Evidence that you have unsuccessfully attempted to claim reimbursement from the person or entity that you paid for the Rental, and
  2. Evidence that you were unable to chargeback the amount you paid for the Rental from the credit card company you used to pay for the Rental.

To be eligible for reimbursement under TOVG, you must inform us of the problem no later than the first day of your rental period.

We shall complete the reimbursement investigation in a reasonable time frame and will keep you informed of any decisions or additional documentation required to determine your eligibility for reimbursement.

In our sole discretion, we shall make all decisions regarding whether you are eligible for reimbursement, and if eligible, the proper amount of reimbursement under TOVG. Our decisions shall be final and binding on you.