A new classified ads website based in the UK, JumbleAID, has been launched with the purpose of helping users raise money for their favorite charity.
JumbleAID also stresses the fact that it can help relieve pressure on landfills by selling your unwanted goods for the great cause of your choice.
Another important feature of the UK classified ad site is it takes no money from the donations people make for others’ goods. As a matter of fact, with GIFTAID, more money can be raised than the actual pledge for an item.
How does it work?
Like any other classified ad site, if you have a item you want to get rid of, you just post it on the site. In the case of JumbleAID, they call these listings ‘gifts.’
When someone is searching around the website for something they want, they show they are interested in an item by simply making a pledge, which they will be expected to pay if they successfully navigate a deal with the owner of the item.
Assuming success, the two parties get together and work out the exchange of the item between them.
|
Not one bit of the payment made for an item ends up in the hands of JumbleAID, rather it is directly deposited into a Charities trust Account.
In the UK, the Charities Trust is a registered charity, and the second largest HM Customs & Revenues approved Payroll Giving Agency.
Once the Charities Trust receives the funds, if GiftAid is applicable, they make the necessary additions, minus a charge for processing the transaction, and then send the funds to the named charities.
Specifics
Gifters
The use of JumbleAID is free to all those that want to use it, all you have to do is register.
Once you’re registered, you then are offered three choices at to how you want to interact with others. You can either be a ‘Gifter,’ a ‘Seeker,’ or a combination of the two.
|
Gifters are of course those who have items they want to get rid of to help a charity, while Seekers are those looking for a certain item.
For Gifters, along with the value of getting rid of things you don’t want while helping a charity, are also empowered to make the final decision on who wins the gift they’re offering.
This is important because, while a Gifter may want to raise money for charity, they also may want to help someone in need at the same time, and so all decisions may not be based necessarily on the highest offer for an item.
Another valuable tool for a gifter is you could work together with others as a group, and work together for the benefit of your charity. This is called a Group Scheme. You can track your progress together.
Seekers
Seekers are able to look for specific items they have need of or want, and can do it at the local level using the site.
Sealed bids you make are hidden from everyone’s eyes but the Gifter, who is the only one allowed to view your bid.
A Seeker can place ads for items they’re looking for, or look around the site and see if something catches their eye.
Someone looking for an item can also place what is called JumbleALERTS, whereby you’ll be contacted when that item appears on the website.
|
Similar to Gifters, a Seeker can also join a group of friends or colleagues and work together for common goals for their favorite charities.
Getting the best results
Like anything else, it’s important to think through the best way to present an item if you’re looking for a donation.
One of the best tips is to give it a title that someone looking for it would call it. Then make sure you select the most accurate category someone would be looking in to find it.
Another thing that will ensure more donations and less frustration would be to group sets of smaller gifts together. Selling only one each of a small item is tedious for both the Gifter and the Seller.
Grouping them together makes it easier to work with and more desirable for a Seeker.
When giving a description of an item, Gifters are encouraged to be as accurate as possible in describing it. Even though it’s for charity purposes, people still want to be dealt with honestly and with integrity.
Target Pledge
Gifters are asked to place what is called a ‘Target Pledge’ on their item, meaning they want the Seeker to see what they’re hoping to raise through their donation.
This must not be confused with a reserve price you see on auction sites; it’s only what is hoped to be raised, not what must be raised.
Like anything else, if a price is set too high, it can discourage people offering bids. So it should be realistic for the best results.
Get it Now
There is a feature a gifter can use if they want to raise donations quickly, or want to get rid of an item fast.
All they have to do is list it under ‘Get it Now,’ and the first person meeting your donation Target Pledge receives the item. It’s as simple and quick as that.
So whatever charity you’ve chosen to be the beneficiary of your sold items, will be sent the proceeds of the donations once the details are all worked out.
Again, JumbleAID is for users based in the UK, and is a great way to help your charity while getting rid of unwanted items.
By Gary Bourgeault
April 24, 2009
© Daype Inc.
source: jumbleaid.com
