Frequently Asked Questions

The Basics

  • What is GiftSimple?

    GiftSimple is a social gifting site for all of life’s events. GiftSimple lets you register for the gifts you want and tap into your social network to pool contributions from friends and family. The money is accessible at any time and you are free to use it on whatever you like, whenever you like, and wherever you like!

  • How does GiftSimple work?

    The best way to see how GiftSimple works is to view our demo.

  • Do I have to purchase the gift(s) I list on my registry?

    No. Your GiftSimple registry is meant to give friends and family an idea of what you want and why you want it. It allows them to “buy” you something while still giving you cash. While the money is yours to do with as you please, gift-givers will be alerted when you cash out, so be prepared for a few inquiries about the gift you registered for!

  • Is GiftSimple actually purchasing the gift(s) on my registry?

    No. GiftSimple collects monetary gifts from your friends and family and keeps it safe until you are ready to cash out. Once you cash out, the money is yours to do with as you please. GiftSimple does not make any purchases on your behalf.

  • Why should I use GiftSimple?

    Many people find it difficult to save up for a large ticket item and receiving contributions towards that purchase would really help. At the same time, we all get presents that we don’t want. GiftSimple solves both of these problems. Whether it’s the newest gadget, a dream vacation or a college fund, cash is the most useful way to get what you actually want.

  • What occasions should GiftSimple be used for?

    Any occasion! Or no occasion at all. You can create a registry at any time and collect money at one or many events.

    You can also register on behalf of someone else. Whether it’s a surprise gift or just a way to split a gift between friends, GiftSimple is the perfect solution.

    Some great occasions to use GiftSimple include: Birthdays, weddings, baby showers, graduations, retirements, commitment ceremonies, adoptions, housewarmings, sweet sixteens, bar/bat mitzvahs, quincineras, anniversaries, Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, New Job, etc.

  • Do gift-givers need to create a GiftSimple account?

    No. Gift-givers do not need to have a GiftSimple account in order to give a gift, only a Facebook account. GiftSimple functions like a traditional department store registry, so the shopping process is very similar: you just enter the amount you want to give and go through the easy checkout process, which entails providing billing information, sending the registrant(s) a gift message, and clicking the button to finalize your purchase. View the whole process by watching our demo.

  • Who can create a GiftSimple registry?

    Presently, only U.S. residents can List a Gift on GiftSimple . We will let you know as soon as this changes.

  • Who can give a gift?

    We are able to accept contributions from both U.S. and international credit cards; however, there may be delays when processing these payments. All payments from international cards are processed in US Dollars, so the cardholder may be charged an international payment fee by their card issuer.

  • Can I use GiftSimple to register for a gift for someone else?

    Yes! GiftSimple can be used to organize a group gift or to surprise a friend. Here’s how you do it:

    - Sign up for a GiftSimple account in your name with your personal email address.
    - Click on List a Gift and fill out the details. Be sure to explain to your friends who the gift is for in the appeal.
    - If the gift is a surprise, make sure you uncheck the box to post to Facebook (or the intended recipient may see what you’re up to!) and remind gift-givers to do the same.
    - When you cash out, the money in the account will be sent to the account owner but can then be gifted to the intended recipient.


The Money

  • How much does the GiftSimple service cost?

    Creating a GiftSimple registry is free, Due to the cost of accepting credit cards and keeping the site up and running, we do need to charge a small fee on the contributions you receive. Here is a complete breakdown:

    GiftSimple does not charge gift-givers anything for contributing to your gift registry. However, our payment processor, WePay charges a 3.5% fee to process the gift-givers credit card. Gift-givers can avoid the 3.5% fee by signing up for a free WePay account, and using money in this account to make their contribution. Money can be transferred from a linked bank account into a WePay account for $0.50.

    GiftSimple charges a 3% service fee on the total gift balance, payable when you cash out. The fee is automatically added in to the total amount you should raise for your gift purchase, so you will net the exact amount you need to buy the gift you registered for. There are no extra costs. No taxes, no shipping & handling, and no gift-wrapping costs.

    Our fee is much lower than what a gift-giver would usually pay for taxes, shipping and gift wrap, so everybody wins. Even if you return your gifts for cash, you never get the tax, shipping and gift-wrap money back. And unlike gift cards, the cash in your GiftSimple account can be used on anything you choose, at any venue you select.

    If you have any questions about the fees please contact us at help@GiftSimple.com or (914) 960-7000.

  • Who pays the service fee?

    The gift-giver pays a 3.5% fee for credit card processing. This fee can be avoided by paying from funds in a WePay account.

    Using a credit card, a $25.00 gift will cost $25.88. Using a WePay account, a $25.00 gift will cost $25.00. Please note that it costs $0.50 to transfer money from a linked bank account into a WePay account.

    The gift-receiver pays a 3.0% service fee on the total gift balance, payable at cash out. To ensure that you raise enough money to pay for your desired gift, we add the amount of this fee into the total amount you plan to raise. For example, if you register for a $300 camera, we will automatically update your target fundraising amount to $309. If you raise the full amount, when you cash out, you will get $300 and there will be a $9 service charge.

    If you have any questions about the fees please contact us at help@GiftSimple.com or (914) 960-7000.

  • How does GiftSimple charge such a low service fee?

    Our service fee is based on what it costs us to maintain the site and manage overhead. Other group-gifting sites charge upwards of 8% but here at GiftSimple, we pride ourselves on keeping expenses down, while still providing excellent service for our customers.

  • What payment methods does GiftSimple support?

    Through our payment processor WePay, we accept: American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards. We also accept payments directly from a checking account linked to a WePay account. All gift prices and account balances are represented in US dollars.

  • How do I cash out?

    To cash out, go to the My Gifts tab and click Cash Out. The total amount in your GiftSimple account will be displayed. Enter your name, mailing address and email address and click the Cash Out button. We will issue you a check within 24 hours, and you can expect it to arrive within 3-5 business days. Currently, you may only cash out once, withdrawing the full amount in your GiftSimple account for a particular gift.

  • How quickly do I get my money?

    Once you decide to cash out GiftSimple will issue you a check within 24 hours. You can expect it to arrive within 3-5 business days.

  • What are the rules for withdrawing my money?

    The money in your account is yours from the moment it is deposited. Whether your gift is fully funded or not, you are allowed to withdraw your money at any time. Currently, you may only cash out once per gift. If you have more than one item on your GiftSimple registry, these other items will remain on the registry as before.

    Note about security: As a precaution against fraudulent transactions, there is a 72-hour security delay between what has been contributed and what is available for cash out. To learn more about this, please see our FAQ section on security under “The Safe”.

  • Where does the money go when someone contributes to my gift?

    As soon as the gift-giver’s credit card is charged, the money is deposited into an account at the FDIC insured TD Bank (www.tdbank.com). This is the account that we use to manage your deposit and withdrawal requests.

  • What happens if I get more than the amount my gift is listed for?

    Congratulations on this accomplishment! While we encourage gift-receivers to set up another GiftSimple gift registry with these additional funds, there are no rules. Use this additional money to upgrade to the fancier model, purchase some accessories, or pocket the difference. It’s up to you!

  • Why does GiftSimple use WePay to handle the payment process?

    At GiftSimple we want to make sure that your money is safe and secure without having to charge a high processing fee. Using WePay (www.wepay.com) enables us to keep costs down and still provide you with the highest level of security and customer service. Moreover, the 3.5% fee that WePay charges to process credit cards is less than the fees charged by other payment processors.


The Registry

  • How do I know when I have received a contribution?

    Every time someone gives you a gift, a message will be automatically posted to both your Facebook wall and the gift-giver’s. The new gift will also appear under My Gifts, accessible from any page of the app. The My Gifts tab lets you keep track of all your gifts and tells you what is available for cash-out. It also records the information of your gift-giver so you can easily send a thank you note!

    Gift-givers have the option not to post their gift giving to Facebook. To see these contributions, you will have to log into GiftSimple and check the My Gifts tab.

    Note about security: As a precaution against fraudulent transactions, there is a 72-hour security delay between what has been contributed and what is available for cash out. To learn more about this, please see our FAQ section on security under “The Safe”.

  • How do I keep track of my gifts?

    New contributions will appear under My Gifts, accessible from any page of the app. The My Gifts tab lets you keep track of all your gifts and tells you what is available for cash-out. It also records the information of your gift-giver so you can easily send a thank you note!

    Note about security: As a precaution against fraudulent transactions, there is a 72-hour security delay between what has been contributed and what is available for cash out. To learn more about this, please see our FAQ section on security under “The Safe”.

  • How do I let my friends and family know about my registry?

    Spreading the word about your GiftSimple registry is simple! When you List a Gift on GiftSimple, keep the “Post this gift to Facebook” option checked. When you click Create, a message will automatically be posted to your Facebook Wall alerting friends and family to your registry and providing them with a link so they can contribute to your gift.

  • How do I change some information on my registry?

    You are free to edit your gift at any time. Go to the My Gifts tab to view your existing gifts. To make any changes, click on Edit. Once you have made your changes, click Update and a new wall post will alert friends and family to the change. You can also uncheck the “Post this gift to Facebook” option if you don’t want a message to post on your Facebook wall.


The Safe

  • Is my personal information safe?

    Absolutely yes. We never share or sell any of the personal information of our users or gift-givers. GiftSimple operates entirely over SSL, using 128-bit encryption. We are also certified by VeriSign®. Your funds are held by our FDIC-insured partner bank, TD Bank, so your money is safe and secure. For further information, please see our Privacy Policy.

  • What does it mean that GiftSimple is encrypted with SSL (secure sockets layer)?

    The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a security protocol used by Web browsers and Web servers to help users protect their data during transfer. For more information on SSL encryption, please see VeriSign®’s explanation.

  • Is WePay safe?

    Our payment processor, WePay takes security very seriously. All sensitive personal information is encrypted and stored in a Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Compliant environment. For more information on WePay’s bank-level security, please see their Privacy Policy.

  • What does it mean that GiftSimple is authenticated by VeriSign®?

    Similar to the way a government agency verifies a birth date before issuing an identification card, VeriSign® has verified GiftSimple's right to use its domain name and has confirmed that our business entity and website are legitimate. SSL Certificates are uniquely issued to a specific domain and Web server. VeriSign®’s authentication is 3rd party verification of GiftSimple’s identity. For more information on VeriSign®, please visit their website.

  • Why does it take 72 hours for my contributions to be available for cash out?

    The 72-hour security delay allows us to monitor for any fraudulent activity and take any necessary action. We apologize for any inconvenience.


The Ps & Qs (Etiquette)