Frequently Asked Questions
For Shoppers - For Non-Profits

Questions and Answers about Shopping

Questions and Answers for Non-Profits

Questions and Answers about Shopping

What is GoodDeedShopping.com?

GoodDeedShopping.com is an online shopping mall where organizations benefit from their members' shopping. A portion of all purchases made through this site will be donated back to the organization. The amount of the contribution is indicated next to each e-tailer's banner. CLICK HERE to see e-tailers listing.

How does GoodDeedShopping.com work?

Each time shoppers make online purchases from e-tailers linked via GoodDeedShopping.com, the e-tailer donates a portion of the sale back to the cause. E-tailer's benefit from the increased traffic to their web sites. Group members benefit by having easy access to reliable e-tailers while supporting their favourite cause.

Why do I have to start my shopping at GoodDeedShopping.com's site?

It is essential that you start your shopping at GoodDeedShopping.com because if you do not, neither we nor our linked sites have any way of tracking your purchase, and therefore your donation, back to your organization. If you shop directly at an e-tailer's site, there will be no opportunity to donate any monies!

Do I need to register to shop?

To support a specific group yes we require you to register and select a non-profit group. This is the only way we can "track" your donation. You may choose not to register and thus, we will consider that a random act of kindness and pool the money for all registered non-profit organizations. There are benefits, however, to being a GoodDeedShopping.com member, including e-tailer specials and discounts, a monthly email newsletter with useful information on your favorite causes & much more. To sign up as a GoodDeedShopping.com member, CLICK HERE.

Why does GoodDeedShopping need my email address?

Your email address is a unique identifier. Should two people with the same name shop at the same site, your email address will distinguish you and allow us to make the donation to the correct organization.

How do I select an organization to benefit from my shopping sprees?

You select your organization when you complete a simple Shopper Registration form. Filling out this form enables us to track your purchases and credit the appropriate organization. The form is simple and does not require any credit card information. You may change the organization that you wish to support at any time through Edit Shoppers Profile.

What if I can't find my organization in the drop down menu list?

If you are unable to find your organization, please contact us with as much information as possible about the group or organization and we will investigate the group further to see if they are interested in participating. Please include full name of the organization, its address, phone number, website address, and a contact name.

Can anyone make purchases at the partnered sites and earn up to 10% for our organization?

Absolutely, YES, Spread the Word! There are endless possibilities:

  1. .. Co-workers

  2. .. Family (locally or out of province)

  3. .. Friends (locally or out of province)

  4. .. Church friends

  5. .. Teammates

  6. .. Babysitters or Dog Sitters

  7. .. Hairdresser or Barber

You don't need to be a member of an organization to select that cause to benefit from your shopping. All they need is a internet connection. If someone shops without selecting a charity, we will consider that a random act of kindness and GoodDeedShopping.com will pool the funds and divide amongst all non-profits.

Can I designate different charitable causes to receive credit for part of an order?

At this time donations cannot be split for any one purchase. Only one cause can earn credit for each purchase. You can benefit another cause by selecting a new group and then go shopping. However, if you choose Random Act of Kindness all registered groups will benefit from your shopping.

What is Random Act of Kindness?

Random Act of Kindness are anonymous shopping where the funds are divided amongst all non-profit organizations registered with GoodDeedShopping.com. CLICK HERE to shop as a Random Act of Kindness.

Does our organization have to pay to participate in the GoodDeedShopping.com program?

Absolutely Not! A fundraising partnership with GoodDeedShopping.com costs the charitable cause nothing to set up or maintain. All they are asked to do is promote the site in their publications to their members.

How do I shop through GoodDeedShopping.com?

Here are the Steps... It's as easy as 1-2-3 CLICK HERE

  1. .. Go to www.GoodDeedShopping.com

  2. .. A supporter (shopper) selects their preferred non-profit organization from a drop down menu.

  3. .. The supporter then selects an online e-tailer, and goes shopping!

That's it!

Am I paying the same price when I shop through GoodDeedShopping.com?

Yes, you pay the exact same price you'd pay if you shopped with GoodDeedShopping.com partnered stores, but if you shop through GoodDeedShopping.com, up to 10% of your purchase goes back to your favorite cause.

How do I ensure my organization gets credit for my shopping?

By starting your shopping at GoodDeedShopping.com, this allows us to track your shopping with our e-tailer partners. We don't track what you purchase but rather where you go as a reference to reconcile with the rebate cheques that we receive back from e-tailers.

Who are the e-tailers and how are they selected?

We carefully look at each new e-tailer we add to GoodDeedShopping.com. The e-tailers must accept and show prices in Canadian dollars. Many are established "brick & mortar" retailers that have branched out to include the Internet. Others may be newer, web only companies that provide a valuable product or service. CLICK HERE to see e-tailers listing.

Why do e-tailers participate in GoodDeedShopping.com?

Businesses know the benefit of a referral, and have been paying commissions for years. Any links by GoodDeedShopping.com will generate sales and businesses reward shoppers with a donation to your selected group.

How are rebates calculated and who keeps track?

Rebates are up to 10% of the purchase price of each item, depending on the item purchased and the contributions of each e-tailer. Each e-tailer keeps an account of purchases made from shoppers sent by GoodDeedShopping.com and periodically sends us a detailed report of purchases and associated rebates. We distribute rebate checks semi annually for amounts we have received from the e-tailers.

When does my organization receive their earned funds?

Every six months, GoodDeedShopping.com sends cheques to all organizations that have accumulated at least $50 in their accounts from the money we have received from e-tailers. Organizations with less than $50 have their account balances carried over until they accumulate $50.

What does GoodDeedShopping.com mean that "up to 10%" goes to benefit my cause?

Each time you buy something through GoodDeedShopping.com's partnered e-tailers GoodDeedShopping.com is paid what's called an "affiliate fee" by the e-tailer. These are fees paid by the e-tailers for referring customers to their online stores and services. GoodDeedShopping.com, in turn, splits these affiliate fees with your choice of benefiting organization on a 50/50 basis.

Why doesn't GoodDeedShopping.com give the whole amount to our organization?

GoodDeedShopping.com invests its portion of the affiliate fees to help offset the expense of building and maintaining the website. Our goal is to make it even easier and more convenient for socially conscious shoppers to buy everyday items online and have a portion of those purchases go back to our favourite cause. The company also covers all administrative, technical, maintenance, service and infrastructure costs, so that the non-profit organizations participate at no cost.

How much of my purchase will be donated to my chosen organization?

The amount varies depending on the partnership we have negotiated with each e-tailer. CLICK HERE to see e-tailers listing. The current average is 4%.

What does Pooled Stores Mean?

Some e-tailers do not provide us with the email addresses of the shoppers who have been referred by GoodDeedShopping.com. This may be a result of corporate privacy policies or perhaps the software that is used to run their site. In such instances, when we receive rebate cheques from these e-tailers, we pool those funds and distribute those funds on a pro-rata basis, amongst groups based on their transaction activity.

How much money can our group raise?

Recent statistics say the average online shopper will spend about $544 this year with web e-tailers. E-tailers donate up to 10% of each purchase made by GoodDeedShopping.com shoppers. If even half of your members purchased through GoodDeedShopping.com links, you could expect to earn significant funds effortlessly. The more your members shop GoodDeedShopping.com retailers, the more your group earns. For example: $100 per month average purchase per family @ 4%(average rebate) = $4.00. Multiplied by the number of families in your group? 100 families X $4.00 = $400 per month! Effortlessly!!

What about my privacy?

Privacy Policy
Last updated on January 1, 2004.

We believe that your personal information deserves protection.

While you can visit GoodDeedShopping.com (the "Web Site") without registering or providing any personal information, you will need to register if you want to make a purchase and have a portion credited to your favourite cause. The personal information requested is necessary to process your donation.

What does GoodDeedShopping.com use your personal information for?

GoodDeedShopping.com asks for your name, email address, and other personal information when you create an account online. This information is used to process your donations and to allow us to communicate with you. The information also enables GoodDeedShopping.com to customize products or services to better meet your preferences and to offer you products and services from GoodDeedShopping.com and other sources that may be of interest to you.

Does GoodDeedShopping.com share the personal information it receives?

GoodDeedShopping.com is not in the business of selling customer information to others.
Occasionally we send promotional offers to selected groups of GoodDeedShopping.com customers for offers from GoodDeedShopping.com itself, or for offers where we have joined with another business for such promotions. When we do this, we do not give that business your name and address. Such offers will always contain an unsubscribe option so you may indicate if you do not wish to receive any future offers. You can also opt to receive coupons, exclusive offers, special event invitations, and announcements of new releases. You can change this preference by visiting "edit profile".

Users' specific personal information will never be sold or rented but we may decide to do so in the future. If this were to happen, GoodDeedShopping.com would announce such a plan and ask you to "opt in". If you wanted to share your personal information, you would have to respond. In the absence of such a response, your information would not be shared with anyone other than GoodDeedShopping.com.

GoodDeedShopping.com reserves the right to co-operate with local, provincial and national officials in any investigation requiring either personal information -- including any personal information provided online through GoodDeedShopping.com -- or reports about lawful or unlawful user activities on the Web Site.

GoodDeedShopping.com reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time. We also reserve the right at any time to disclose any information in an individual's account to satisfy any law, regulation or government request.

**Please note that shopper information such as date and time of purchase, email address and purchase amount is supplied to us by our member e-tailers in order to ensure that your contribution is paid to the appropriate non-profit organization. Registering with GoodDeedShopping.com gives participating e-tailers consent to release this information to us. Each of our shops list their confidentiality policies on their sites which you should review before making a purchase.

Can organizations see who is supporting them?

GoodDeedShopping.com must comply with the Privacy Law that came into effect on January 1, 2004 and therefore, this would be against the policy laws.

May I order any other way, I'm uncomfortable providing my credit card information over the Internet?

You must make your purchases online and through GoodDeedShopping.com in order of your group to benefit. The most stringent security measures are followed to ensure that your credit card information is always safe. All of our e-tailers offer Security Guarantees and individual payment methods such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. We encourage you to check their Web sites for details and alternative payment options.

Is my shopping safe and secure?

Yes! All of our partnered stores have their own security such as Web Trust, VeriSign, TRUSTe, and Secure Socket Layer. We only enter into partnership agreements with sites that take initiative in offering safe and secure shopping.

How can I tell if a web page is secure?

When you are on the payment page, you will notice that the space on the top of your browser screen, will say: https://secure.companyname.com. As you know, this space contains the Internet address or URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which often begins as "http." Notice that it now says "https," which means the page is secure. On the bottom right hand corner of your screen, you will see a lock sign which confirms the security of the page.

Does GoodDeedShopping.com use cookies?

We use cookies for your registration, so that our server does not forget you or ask you to re-register.

What is a cookie?

A cookie makes it possible for a web server (i.e. the computer hosting the web pages you are browsing) to keep track of you as you go through several web pages. This kind of tracking is important in on-line purchases, so that a track or on-going record can be made of items you have put into your shopping cart. Otherwise, at the end of your shopping spree, the CD you ordered from one page, and the book you selected from another won't be regarded as coming from the same person, i.e. you. Technically, a cookie is a text file which the webserver gives you. When you go back to the server to surf pages, your web browser sends that cookie back to you every time you look at a new page. When you come back to the same webpage again several days later, the cookie you had received will be sent back, thus allowing the webserver to recognize you as someone familiar. Cookies do not contain personal information about you.

Should I accept cookies?

If your browser has been set up to notify you when a cookie is being given to you, you get to choose to accept or refuse. If you are making a purchase on the shopping cart, accept the cookie, or your purchase won't work. If you are worried about your web activities being recorded, remember: the cookie identifies the computer or browser you are using. It does not identify you the person. When you change computer, the record is broken. If other people use your computer, then the information gathered is just a compilation of aggregated data. Cookies all have shelf life and eventually expire.

What are the benefits to having cookies enabled on my computer?

Cookies provide GoodDeedShopping.com with the ability to process your contributions.

How can our non-profit organization make the most of the program?

Once your organization has been signed up, the best thing you can do is encourage everyone you know to shop through www.GoodDeedShopping.com. We have put together some tools to help you get the word out. "Tell-A-Friend" e-mails, banner for your website, articles and 'camera ready' advertising for publications and sample press releases. Just send us an email at marketing@GoodDeedShopping.com or give us a call at 905-848-2851 and we will get you the supplies you need.

If I use Tell a Friend, is that considered "spamming"?

No. Unlike "spam" (unsolicited commercial email or mass-distributed junk email), you're just passing the word about GoodDeedShopping.com to people you know, so they can raise money for your group. Your name will be listed as the sender. As such, you should only provide the email addresses of your friends and family whom you think would be interested in receiving an email from you. They'll receive a single email inviting them to register with GoodDeedShopping.com. We just act as a post office to deliver your message.

When I return an item, is the rebate taken away from the group?

Yes. The item returned would be subtracted from the quarterly statement of purchases, and the rebate will be adjusted accordingly.

Are your products and services guaranteed?

Every shop on GoodDeedShopping.com has their own guarantees for their products and services. Their policies are clearly spelled out within their individual shops.

Can I have my order shipped to another address?

Purchases are delivered directly to your address of choice. Please check the individual e-tailer's customer service page for specific information about their shipping policies.

Do I get a tax deduction for up to 10% of my purchases which goes to my favorite cause?

Tax receipts can only be issued for donations or contributions to the amount paid over and above the fair market price for an item. Since the prices you pay when buying from the e-tailers are the same as if you purchased directly from the e-tailer, no tax-deductible event occurs.

How do I redeem specific e-tailer coupons, discounts or gift certificates through GoodDeedShopping.com?

The redemption process varies by e-tailer. You need to click on the e-tailer icon on the GoodDeedShopping.com.com website and follow the instructions indicated on your coupon or gift certificate, typically you are asked at the shopping cart or payment page for a coupon/gift certificate number.

 

Questions and Answers about Non-Profit Organizations

How do I sign up my Non-Profit Organization?

To sign up your organization, please fill out the form to have your group included in GoodDeedShopping.com's website. Here is what we will need from your group:

  1. .. basic contact information (phone, fax, email, address, URL etc)

  2. .. mission statement/purpose, size of group and type of communications

CLICK HERE Non-Profit Organization Registration.
CLICK HERE to get all the facts to take back to your Non-Profit Organization!

Does our organization have to pay to participate in the GoodDeedShopping.com program?

Absolutely Not! A fundraising partnership with GoodDeedShopping.com costs the not-for-profit cause nothing to set up or maintain. All they are asked to do is promote the site in their publications to their members.

What does our group have to do?

Only sign up and spread the word about the affiliation! We'll help you set up the necessary web site links, and we'll help with the publicity to let your members know about GoodDeedShopping.com.

How can our non-profit organization make the most of the program?

Once your organization has been signed up, the best thing you can do is encourage everyone you know to shop through www.GoodDeedShopping.com. We have put together some tools to help you get the word out. "Tell-A-Friend" e-mails, banner for your website, articles and 'camera ready' advertising for publications and sample press releases. Just send us an email at marketing@GoodDeedShopping.com or give us a call at 905-848-2851 and we will get you the supplies you need.

Can our organization put a banner / button link to GoodDeedShopping.com on our website?

Absolutely! We encourage your organization to do so. CLICK HERE to download banner and code.

Who owns GooddeedShopping,com?

Angie J. Anderson has been passionate about becoming an entrepreneur from a very early age. Owning a personalized clothing business in university, choosing to work solely for entrepreneurs and then graduating from university and starting another business, ProLean Fundraising Inc., Angie always thought there had to be a better way to raise money, besides selling chocolate bars. Thus, GoodDeedShopping.com was born.

If our organization does not like the service being provided can we be removed from the site?

We are recommending that groups sign up with us for a one-year period, in order to take advantage of the PR and marketing campaigns. However, we would of course comply immediately if an organization requested that they no longer be listed as a potential beneficiary of funds from GoodDeedShopping.com


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