Frequently Asked Questions

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Organization Questions:

Q. How much can we earn with the ShopRMall Helping Hand program?

A. There is no limit to how much you can earn with the ShopRMall Helping Hand Program. Every purchase made through your mall earns your organization money. For a list of what you will earn from each merchant click here.

Q. How often will we receive our earnings?

A. Cire Computer Productions, Inc. mails checks at the beginning of every month when aggregate earnings exceed $100. However, there is a 60 day window after purchases are made to allow for any returned purchases. All earnings are sent via check.

Q. Is there a minimum purchase requirement in order for our organization to earn money from a purchase?

A. No. A percentage of each and every purchase will be credited to the member organization. There is no minimum purchase requirement.

Q. How does a merchant know that a purchase was made through our shopping mall?

A. Whenever someone visits a store from your mall a special ID code is sent to the merchant identifying that the purchase was made through your mall and then credits the purchase to your organization.

Q. What is the best way for us to communicate this program to our members?

A. Placing a link on your organization's web site where visitors will see it is a key. Remember, if shoppers do not see it and do not find it, how can they shop? We recommend you place the link on the front page of your web site and also on the funding/donations page.  Also publish the web address in all communications with your membership.  This will ensure maximum exposure to your fundraising efforts.

Any method of promoting your online mall to shoppers is productive. Email, web site, newsletters, and announcements at local meetings all work well. Piggybacking on all existing member communications, especially in the early stages, is a no-cost beneficial way to "get the word out".

Finally, it is a fact that people need to hear a message a minimum of 9 times before they begin to take action. So inform, remind, and communicate the program's benefits as frequently as possible.

Q. Are there any fees for our organization to join the ShopRMall Helping Hand program?

A. There is no charge for non-profit organizations to join the program and to receive your own online shopping mall.  ShopRMall Helping Hand assumes all cost in hosting, designing, and maintaining your online shopping mall.

Q. What is the goal of the ShopRMall Helping Hand program?

A. The goal of ShopRMall Helping Hand is to help non-profit organizations find a sustainable way to raise funds year round and to let those people who support them make a difference each and every day.

Q. This all seems really easy. So what is the catch?

A. There is no catch. The ShopRMall Helping Hand program has been developed with a focus on making fundraising fast and easy.  There are no hidden costs, no extra charges, and no complications.

We will not contact anyone in your organization other than the main contact, and at no time will we ever ask for your membership list.

Shopping Questions:

Q. Does it cost anything extra for our members to shop in our mall and support our organization?

A. No. Individuals do not need to register or pay anything to access your mall.

Q. Do my members pay the same price when they shop through our mall, even though my organization is receiving a percentage of the purchase? 

A. Your members pay the same price for merchandise when shopping at the stores through your mall, as they would if they were shopping directly at the merchant’s web site. In fact, the price is often better, because we negotiate exclusive offers and promotions that are available through your mall. Many merchants also offer free shipping and many purchases made online are not subject to sales tax.

Q. Why would anyone want to shop online when they could go to the actual store and get their items faster?

A. By shopping online, you will often find special deals and offers from merchants that you will not find in the store itself. Shopping online is also far more convenient, as you do not have to leave your home or office.   The simple act of shopping online through your mall helps your organization to grow and prosper.

Q. Can I shop directly in a store and still support my organization?

A. In order for your organization to receive a percentage of online purchases made, shoppers must first go to your mall and then shop at a merchant’s store. As a reminder – if a shopper goes directly to the merchant’s web site and shops, without first going to your mall, your organization will not receive credit for the purchase. Your members must access the merchant through your mall. 

Q. Can my members order products from merchants over the phone, instead of going through our mall?

A. In order for your organization to receive a percentage of purchases, all purchases must be made through your mall.

Q. Is shopping online easy? Is it safe?

A. Shopping online is safe when shopping is done at well-known reputable merchant web sites. We only contract with the most reputable merchants on the internet and we bring the highest standards of suitability and taste to our selection of merchants.  Using a credit card online is fast, safe, and easy; plus it saves time and travel. If a shopper is ever uncomfortable with an online store or has questions about the way a merchant runs their online business, they are encouraged to contact the merchant directly to ask questions.

Q. Will anyone in our organization know what our members bought or where they shopped?

A. No.  Privacy is important.  All transactions are kept confidential.

Q. How often can my members shop? Do they have to spend a certain amount?

A. As you know, every penny counts when raising funds. Your members can shop as little or as much as they want and spend as little or as much as they want. From time to time ShopRMall Helping Hand will have special offers to share with shoppers, such as coupon codes and special discounts on merchandise. These specials will automatically be added to your mall.

Q. What if my members have a problem with one of the merchants or something they bought online?

A. If your members have questions about shipping, merchandise, or the services of any online merchant, they should contact that merchant directly for assistance.

Q. If a member bought something from a merchant in our mall and later they receive a special offer direct from that merchant by email; and then click on the link they were sent, will our organization get credit for any purchases?

 A. No. Please remember that the ONLY way your organization will receive any earnings from your member’s purchases is if the purchase was made by first going through your mall. If they received a special coupon code or discount offer from a merchant in their email, they should visit the merchant through your mall and use the coupon code to make their purchase. Your organization will then receive proper credit for the purchase.

Q. What if my members don’t want the merchants to contact them via email?

 A. If your members receive an email direct from a merchant, simply unsubscribe from their emails. There is usually an unsubscribe link at the bottom of the merchant’s email.

Q. Who do my members contact if they want to return something they bought online or have problems with a merchant or with their order?

A. When shopping online at a merchant’s store, your members should read the merchant’s return policy. For questions about individual merchant return policies, shipping rates, or what to do in case of a problem with an order, your members should contact the merchant directly. Most merchants will have a customer service phone number or email address for any questions.

Q.  How do I know the online stores listed in our mall are secure? 

A. Typically, when your members begin to purchase or "check out" in an online store the transaction is moved to a secure server to encrypt and protect the information they provide.

There are two ways for your members to tell if they are interacting with a secure server when they are providing confidential information -- the web site address in their browser window begins with https instead of http and a small lock icon appears in the bottom right of their window frame.

Q. This fundraising program sounds great. Can I talk to someone at ShopRMall Helping Hand if I have questions?

A. If you have questions about shopping through your mall, please feel free to contact us by using our email form.