NOW CLOSED Check out "Give as you Live" shopping website and win a £500 donation to a charity of your choice

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

We've been asked by giveasyoulive.com to help them get some feedback on their website. They want to know what you think of the site's concept and whether you think you'd use it in the future.

Here's what Give as you Live say about their site: "Thousands of leading brands will donate to the charity of your choice when you shop with Give as you Live. Connected to all 220,000 UK registered charities, Give as you Live enables you to raise funds for any charity every time you shop online, without paying anything extra. For example, predicted to be the bestselling gift this Christmas, every iPad2 sold can raise almost £6 for a shopper's favourite charity through Give as you Live. You can also download Give as you Live and shop directly at thousands of stores like Tesco, Hamley's, and John Lewis and raise money for the charity of your choice. An average shopper can raise at least £75 for the charity of their choice through what they spend online."

They're offering a £500 donation to the charity of your choice if you add your comments to this thread - before you add your views please visit Give as you Live's page on Mumsnet here or go to giveasyoulive.com and have a look around to see what it's all about. On the site you can browse, do some shopping with over 1600 retailers or create a wish list - this could be for your DCs, your DP/DH, other family and friends, or yourself. You can then share your wish list with friends and/or family members if you want to but there's no obligation to do so.

When people buy via your wish list, Give as you Live give a percentage of the money paid to the charity you have nominated. Or you can use the links on the site to generate donations for your nominated charity when you buy online. For example, if you bought a pair of UGG boots for £135, £3.38 would be donated to a charity of your choice, be it your children's school or a national charity.

Once you've had a look around the site please come back to this thread and add your feedback on what you think of the site's concept and the site itself. There are some feedback questions below to start you off but please feel free to add any other comments too.

~ What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?
~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?
~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?
~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?
~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?
~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?

Please note: Your personal details will be secure and will not be passed on to any third parties. If you do decide to buy anything, you won't need to give Give as you Live your bank or credit card details - payment is done via the retailer you purchase from. If you register with Give as you Live but then decide you want to de-register, you can do so by emailing [email protected].

Everyone who takes part and adds their feedback to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get £500 donated to a charity of their choice (from the list of supported charities on the website). Please note that Give as you Live will not make any commission on the £500 donation that the prize draw winner makes.

Thanks very much
MNHQ

~ What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?

Can't possibly be bad!

~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?

Probably, although I will download it as I usually shop via Quidco

~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?

Barnardo's

~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?

No immediate thoughts to offer/

~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?

~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

yes, great idea

~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?

Haven't done it yet, that's a job for DH!

What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?

The concept seems simple and straightforward, but I think your target audience, the people who'd bother to go through the process, are already using cashback sites. And as fo rthose who aren't, if people can't be bothered to get money back for themselves, are they going to bother for charity?

Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?

No, I already have a 'donation budget' in place.

Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?

Animal charities.

Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?

As a previous poster suggested, 'donate the change' up to the nearest pound might work.

Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?

I think if the major broad-spectrum retailers were on board that would suffice.

Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

I might mention it in passing but not specifically recommend, as their charitable contributions aren't really my business.

If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?

I didn't download it.

~ What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?
Its a good idea, but I would be dubious about wether I could find the items cheaper somewhere else.

~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?
Probably not, I like charity shops!

~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?
My local Pre-school, and the Thames Valley Children's Hospice appeal

~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?
The idea is not that great, as I said before, I like charity shops where all profit goes to the charity. Support your local charity shop

~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?
Not really, if the retailers donated directly themselves more money could be given to the charity.

~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
No, it is up to individuals to decide how they want to donate.

~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity? I did not download.

~ What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more? Excellent idea
~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future? I already support a charity through a similar website
~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live? my child's senior school
~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how? Being able to do my grocery shop through the site
~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site? Lakeland Ltd
~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not? yes and have recommended similar sites to friends
~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity? I did not download because I already use another site, sorry.

What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?

Brilliant idea

~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?

Yes

~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?

Amnesty International, Water Aid

I should state I couldn't see which charities were on the site without reigstering. I appreciate there are thousands, but the facility to see which charities are involved prior to registering would attract me.

~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?

See above, although this will not improve the concept.
Also, I couldn't work out what the site got out of it, as in how they make their profit. It may be an entirely altruistic concept, but even in this case I would have liked to have seen this written. If it is not an altruistic site it would notmput me off using the site, as the idea seems to be win win, but I want to work out where the site is coming from.

~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?
No. Good range.

~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, this is a great way to donate to charity.

~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?

~ What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?
Brilliant. Local school already does it

~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?
Nope. Would prefer to use a.n.other cashback site, and then if I chose, donate and ADD THE GIFT AID on myself, so I end up donating more money for the same spend

~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?
Local ones as a preference, but there aren't any

~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?
Link to existing cashback sites and give clients the choice per purchase to donate, kind of like ebay/paypal do when checking out

~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?
Nope

~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
No, as explained above - could give more locally, with gift aid, for only a few different mouse clicks

~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?
n/a

What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?

I like the concept.

Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?

To be honest no probably not. Only because I prefer to use other sites I get the instant benefit for online shopping by getting rewards for my family. If I want to donate to charity I will choose to do so on my own terms.

Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?

I would prefer to sponsor a local charity such as the Wyre Forest Navy Training Corps.

Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?

Can't think of any improvements.

Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?

No - all the ones I would use appear to be on there.

Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Possibly, but most of my friends who shop online will use cashback/reward sites too. We're all feeling the recesion and everyone is looking for a good deal.

If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?

I didn't download it.

missorinoco , you asked how the site is funded. Its all in the fine print...

" Give as you Live donates up to 90% of all commissions generated.".

In the FAQ, it says:

"Usually, the portion Everyclick retains is a variable percentage based on how much a cause is able to raise. Each cause will receive the following commission rates, based on their overall total raised:

Up to £500,000 - the cause will receive 50% of all commissions
From £500,001 - to £999,999 the cause will receive 75% of all commissions
From £1m to £1,999,999 - the cause will receive 85% of all commissions
From £2m+ - the cause will receive 90% of all commissions "

Thats how they fund themselves - they are creaming off a large percentage of what is earned for the charity.

~ What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?
great concept.
~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?
Probably not, I use easyfundraising
~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?
Age UK, RNLI, local causes
~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?
as a previous poster said, the option of rounding up your purchase price and donating the extra directly to the charity. Also, the option of donating to a range of charities ie choose 5 charities and split the funds you raise amongst them
~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site? any of the usual suspects, I didn't see pumpkin patch?
~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not? I'd recommend the principle, but remind them that there are other similar schemes that they may find suit them better. I know many would feel dubious about 'what's in it for them' and nervous about having their shopping habits tracked.
~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity? didn't download

What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?
Great idea and would like to think there are people who would buy in to this idea. My concerns would be that as we're in times of people struggling financially they are a lot less likely to want to give to charities when they can use sites such as Quidco where the individual benefits from cash-back. It may be that people would prefer a site where they can earn cash-back for themselves but give a percentage to charity.

Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?
If my financial situation improved definitely. I use Quidco regularly and save the money I earn from cash-back which makes a difference to our family. I therefore, currently, couldn't justify stopping that to give to charity (regardless of the fact I really would like to). Ashamed to see that makes me seem a real scrooge.

Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?
I'd like to see a wide selection of charities and the process for charities to register to be simple. I personally would go for children's charities but feel it's important to have a selection across different causes.

Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?
I'd like to see the charities being advertised more easily - so it would be possible for me to search for my "favourite" charity before I start using the site.

Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?
It looks like there is a good selection of well-known retailers.

Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
I'd possibly recommend it to some family members as a relative has set up and runs a successful charity. We'd therefore possibly be able to help a cause which is close to us easily.

If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?
Haven't downloaded yet.

~ What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?
It's a great idea and I like that you can choose your own charity.

~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?
Probably not as I already try to use Easyfundraising or Nectar

~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live? my children's schools or Anthonly Nolan and Marie Curie

~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?
The idea is sound, I think it should be clearer from the homepage that all you need to do is download and then shop, for a while I thought you could only buy what was advertised on your website. I would also like to know how Give As You Live are making their money, do they get a percentage too or is it from advertising?

~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?
Yes Next should be there, but my other main ones, Amazon, John Lewis and Sainsburys are there.

~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
Probably not as I wouldn't use it myself so would not recommend it.

~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?
No I didn't download it

HattiFattner - that's interesting I didn't see your comment. So the whole percentage they advertise, say 2.5%, doesn't actually go to charity they would take 10 to 50% depending on how much is coming in.

I think it's a great idea. I already use Kidstart, and it's surprising how the cash soon adds up. This is a simple yet effective and regular way of supporting charities and I would definitely recommend it. I would like to see as many highstreet names as possible on the site, in order for people to use the link more frequently. As for which charities, I like the option to choose a charity to support - perhaps having the chance to save for a different charity every 6 months or so.

forkhandles, I think so...its all very confusing In one place it says 100% goes to the charity, in another "up to 90%) and then in the FAQ, it can be as little as 50%.

I dont know if they have negotiated higher rates with eg amazon - so they get %5 and give 2.5% to the charity (and pocket the rest??) - but I dont see how they could do that and then give a varying amount to the charity based on spend.

SO if you are reading this, give as you live, you need to be clear about the cut you are taking. Obviously there are going to be administrative overheads but for me to use your site, Id have to be persuaded that you were rather more altruistic than your site currently suggests.

The idea is good, however the site (a) doesn't not work well on iPhone (mostly text overlaying text) and (b) the amount or percentage donated is unclear.

Obviously this is a business, and the site cannot donate 100% of commission. I imagine that the percentage donated is not exactly the same for each retailer and each transaction. Hhow much exactly is donated for every transaction should be made comPletely clear with each transaction.

What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?
I think its a wonderful idea

~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?
I would seriously hope so

~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?
Something that I have heard of or is personal to me

~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?

I guess I would like to see more money go to smaller community charties, rather than massive ones.

~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?
I think most of the shops i use are there.

~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes especially if they were supporting a local charity

~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity
I havent tried it yet, but have plans too shortly.

~ What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?

I think it's a good idea, but I find that people don't bother/forget to go to sites to do it. I know of some that have been running a while and I fundraise for a local charity and you're lucky if you get a couple of people who shop that way.

So I'm quite intrigued by the download it and shop as you go option.

~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?

Possibly.

~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?

Signpost in West Lothian - assuming I can...

~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?

It doesn't tell you which charities you can choose or how the download and use it as you shop actually works, I don't mean in a complicated way, just what do I need to do. I'd like to know that before I sign up.

~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?

Argos

~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Not without knowing what they actually had to do to shop.

~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?

I didn't.

What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?
I like the idea, especially if you can't afford to give a regular amount and you would be shopping online anyway.

Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?
I'm not sure, I collect a lot of points from online shopping through my nectar card, however if I couldn't find the shop on there then I would use this.

Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?
Nowzad

Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?
I'm not sure, I'm not keen on the front page, would much prefer it to be set up in store order.

Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?
I'm not sure, I wouldn't know they weren't on until I came to use the site and once I've made my mind up I would continue with my purchase regardless of money to charity or not

Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, there is a big Nowzad FB group, so I will mention it on there, Nowzad are happy for every penny, so even if it only makes £10 per year, it's £10 more than they had before.

If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?
I didn't download it, just browsed the website.

What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?

I work for a charity and think it's a great idea to raise money without costing individuals.

Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?

Possibly

Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?

Local carers charity

Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?

I don't think it needs improving.

Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?

As many as possible, particularly big retailer like M & S, John Lewis etc

Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes definitely

If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?

I didn'd download it.

Thanks for all the comments that have been added so far - Giveasyoulive wanted to respond to the comments/queries from Hattifattner, missorinoco and forkhandles. Here's their response (please note that Giveasyoulive is powered by Everyclick - a technology and fundraising company):

"We would like to clarify, following your discussion about the percentage that goes to charity. The amount shown on the Give as you Live website is 100% what the charity will receive.

As we want to be completely transparent over how Everyclick is funded, we explain in the FAQs that, before the value is shown on the site, a proportion is retained by Everyclick to run the business and maintain the Give as you Live platform. The platform enables every UK charity to have a relationship with over 1,600 leading retailers. As you can imagine this costs money and has to be funded. We do not charge any fees to charities ? our only source of income comes from the transactions made by shoppers. Our aim, is to ensure as much as possible of that revenue reaches the charities that our shoppers select.

We believe by displaying the percentage that will go to the selected charity we are being completely transparent and as we grow look forward to seeing the amount for charity growing."

~ What do you think of the concept of raising money for charity while you shop without having to spend any more?

Seems to me that everyone's a winner! It's not a new concept though, there are other websites where you can already do this.

~ Do you think you'll use Give as you Live in future?

Yes if I remember to!

~ Which charity/charities do you think you would choose to support if you shopped on Give as you Live?

The Children's Liver Disease Foundation - a small charity that does some fantastic work.

~ Do you think the idea behind the site could be improved in any way? If so, how?

Make it clearer that you don't only have to buy what it advertised on the site.

~ Are there any other retailers you'd like to see on the site?

No, I think there is a good range.

~ Do you think you would recommend Give as you Live to any of your friends and/or family? If so, why? If not, why not?

I will certainly let them know about it.

~ If you downloaded Give as you Live, how did you get on with shopping directly at your favourite stores and raising money for charity?

I didn't download it

Would like to be able to donate to a charity of my choice.If not on list would like to be able to add it.
CHILDREN'S HOSPICE SOUTHWEST
Like the idea but think if not on list should be able to add it.

Hoping I get choosen, dd2 SN school is at risk again as county has moved posts and sadly it's one of only three centres in uk

Just gatecrashing this thread to ask MNHQ why does it say in active convos that this thread was started : NewGirlHelenMumsnet 02/26/11 15:26
Have we gone to Harry Potter land? What is that date? Was it Americanised, but the thread want started in February, was it? SO what do you call the 26th month of the year?

Oh, its not just this thread, there's loads of them........ANNOYING!!!!!