Marketplace Frequently Asked Questions


Q. Does it cost anything extra to shop in this Marketplace and support our organization?
A. No . Individuals do not need to register or pay anything to access the Marketplace.

Q. Am I paying the same price when I shop through the Marketplace, even though my organization is receiving a percent of my purchases? 
A.   Shoppers pay the same price for merchandise when shopping at the merchant store through the member organization’s Marketplace, as they would if they were shopping directly at the merchant’s website. In fact, the price often better, because of exclusive offers and promotions available on the merchant’s website. Many merchants also offer free shipping.

Q. Why would anyone want to shop online when they could go into the actual store and get their items faster?
A. This is an important question! By shopping online, you will often find special deals and offers from merchants that you may 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 a member organizations online Marketplace helps that member organizations grow, prosper, and continue to serve the people of their community. Taking the extra step to simply shop through a member organization’s website and the Marketplace can help make the world a better place.

Q. Can I shop directly in a store and still support my organization?
A. In order for one of our member organizations to receive a percentage of online purchases made, shoppers must first go to the organization’s website, click on the Marketplace banner or button and then shop at a merchant store. As a reminder – if a shopper goes directly to the merchant’s website and shops, without first going to the member organization’s website, the member organization will not receive a rebate. You must access the merchant through the member organization’s website. Most merchants sell gift certificates online. One way to shop in the store, and for a member organization to receive a rebate, is for the shopper to purchase a gift certificate online and then use it in the store.

Q. Can I order products from merchants over the phone, instead of going through the online Marketplace?
A. In order for a member organization to receive a percentage of purchases, all purchases must be made through the online Marketplace only.

Q. What if I want to be recognized for my contribution to my organization?
A. Fundraising Solutions has developed a Donor Recognition program. It is an opt-in program and shoppers are given the option of being recognized or remaining anonymous. It is found inside the online Marketplace.

Q. Is shopping online easy? Is it safe?
A. Shopping online is safe when shopping is done at well-known reputable merchant websites. Using a credit card online is fast and easy, saves time and travel. If a shopper is ever uncomfortable with an online store or has questions about the way they run their online business, they are encouraged to contact the merchant directly to ask questions.

Q. Will anyone know what I bought or where I shopped?
A. Your privacy is important. All the member organization will know is that a purchase was made through their online Marketplace and that they are receiving a rebate at the end of the month. Fundraising Solutions does not collect shopper or member information, contact shoppers, or track what items were purchased.

Q. How often can I shop? Do I have to spend a certain amount?
A. As you know, every penny counts when raising funds. You can shop as little or as much as you want and spend as little or as much as you want. From time to time Fundraising Solutions will have special offers to share with shoppers, such as coupon codes and special discounts on merchandise. These specials will be noted in the online Marketplace.

Q. What if I have a problem with one of the merchants or something I bought online?
A. If you have questions about shipping, merchandise or the services of any online merchant, you must contact that merchant for assistance.

Q. I bought something from a merchant in the Marketplace and later on I received a special offer by email. If I click on the link they send, will my organization get the rebate?
A. No. Please remember that the ONLY way a member organization will receive any money back from your purchases is if the purchase was made by first going through the member organization’s online Marketplace. If you received a special coupon code or discount offer from a merchant in your email, you should visit the merchant through the online Marketplace and use the coupon code to make your purchase. The member organization will then receive a rebate.

Q. What if I don’t want the merchants to contact me via email? I already get a lot of emails!
 A. If you receive a special offer from a merchant, simply unsubscribe from their emails and offers. There is usually an unsubscribe link at the bottom of their emails.

Q. What’s a cookie? Will it hurt my computer?
 A. Cookies will not hurt your computer. Think of it as a way of identifying who you are. When you visit a website, such as a merchant's website, they need to know who you are and that you have come through the Marketplace from your organization. This is how they know that a percentage of your purchase will go back to your organization. When shopping please be sure you have cookies enabled.

Q. Who do I contact if I want to return something I bought online or have problems with a merchant or with my order?
A. When shopping online at a merchant’s store, please read their return policy. For questions about individual merchant return policies, shipping rates, or what to do in case of a problem with an order, shoppers should contact the merchant store online. 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 the Marketplace are secure? 
A.   There are two ways to tell if you are interacting with a secure server -- the URL in your browser window begins with https instead of http and a small lock icon appears in the bottom right of your window frame.
Typically, when you begin to purchase or "check out" in an online store the transaction is moved to a secure server to encrypt and protect the information you provide. Unfortunately, when you shop through the Marketplace, the tracking process that matches your purchase to your organization obscures both these means of identifying a secure server. To verify a site is secure from a Marketplace web page, simply follow the instructions below:
Using Internet Explorer: Position your mouse in the center of the page, right click (Mac users use Ctrl click), and click on Properties. The URL for the check out Web page will appear and you can verify it begins with https.
Using Netscape: Position your mouse in the center of the page, right click (Mac users use Ctrl click), and click on Open Page in New Window. The URL for the check out Web page will appear and you can verify it begins with https.