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questions on this siteThis page is designed to answer the most common questions people ask about how the system works, why the church benefits and why it costs you nothing!
Select "scheme overview" for an overall summary of how the system works or click on one of our top ten questions below.
If your questions are not answered, or you seek further clarification please e-mail us.
Thank you for supporting Shirenewton Church.
Does it cost me any more to shop via this web site?
No - this website simply provides a 'click through' to the shops in question. You have full access to their web sites with all special offers, etc.
The shops pay this website (and therefore Shirenewton Church) a commission for "referring" you to their site. The scheme overview explains why the retailers and merchants offer this commission.
What about privacy - who will know what I've bought?
Only the merchant itself will know who has purchased what. This information is not provided to affiliates (ie webmaster at Shirenewton Church). This website simply provides a 'click through' to the shops in question. You use their ordering facilities and are dealing directly with them. Responsible on-line retailers and merchants take privacy extremely seriously. They will all have a section on their site explaining their policy. If you are in any doubt about a retailers commitment to privacy find their statement and read it.
The merchants do provide affiliates with an overall statement of purchases made through the site on a monthly basis. This is used to calculate commission. However, we do NOT receive a breakdown of items purchased nor, actually, do we have any means of validating whether the merchant is declaring all the purchases - we have to go on trust!
This website does keep general statistics on numbers of visitors but CANNOT tell who has visited the site nor whether they clicked through to one of the featured merchants. Therefore there is no way we can identify who purchased what from where!
How is Shirenewton Church involved with these stores?
The webmaster of this site has entered into an 'affiliate' agreement with the merchants on behalf of Shirenewton Church.
This agreement provides for the merchants to pay this website commission for purchases referred through to the stores from the site. These affiliate schemes are entirely standard, legal and gaining in popularity.
Shirenewton Church is not involved in any way in the transaction between you and the merchant - we simply refer you to their website.
Shirenewton Church and its fund raising committee do not necessarily endorse all the stores featured on this site. They are provided for convenience and because they have a reasonable affiliate program.
However, every store featured here has evaluated this site and chosen to allow us to join their affiliate program. For this support we thank them and ask you to favour these stores/merchants over others you may be considering.
What about security - is it safe to buy on-line?
There are endless stories in the media about the insecurity of buying on-line - yet the year on year growth in on-line sales is significant.
Responsible on-line retailers and merchants take security extremely seriously. Each site will have a whole section dedicated to explaining why purchasing on-line with them is secure. As we simply provide a 'click through' service we clearly can not comment on the security of each individual site. However if you are in any doubt about the security find the 'security section' of each site and read it.
Speaking personally as the author of the site and webmaster, I have spent thousands of pounds via on-line purchases (both in a personal and business capacity) and have not encountered any on-line fraud (setting myself up for a fall here!).
What if something goes wrong & I have to return the goods?
All dealings you have with individual retailers & merchants are direct dealings. Shirenewton Church simply provides an introductory 'click through' service. Thus if you have a problem you need to contact the retailer directly and follow their individual procedure. This website, the webmaster and Shirenewton Church can not help you. The retailer/merchant will refuse to deal with us - its you they have the contract with.
If we get consistently negative feedback about a particular retailer we will consider removing them from the site.
Do I always need to reach the merchant's site through this site?
Yes - if you want to be sure that commission is paid to the church.
Each retailer/merchant has their own rules in this respect. Some keep a record of your referral for a few weeks however many don't and only honour purchases made directly as a result of the click through.
We have made this site extremely easy to return to. You can 'bookmark' (ie add to your favorites menu) the main shopping page with the top ten shops by simply clicking on the link at the top of the page.
You can also bookmark individual categories and any page on the website by clicking on the "add to favorites" menu item under 'Favorites' in your browser.
It takes no time to reach the merchant's site via this site and you will, in effect, be making a donation to the church - can't be bad!
What are the advantages of on-line shopping?
There are many advantages of shopping on-line - especially for 'standard' items such as travel, consumer items and anything you would normally purchase via mail-order.
Most on-line shops will give you an indication of stock levels, you can shop at anytime of the day or night and get immediate confirmations. Its like mail order but better!
Will new shops be added and how will we know when they are?
Yes - new shops will be added from time to time. You can keep up-to-date will all the developments on this site, and other suitable community bulletins, by subscribing to our mailing list.
This mailing list will only be used to up-date subscribers on the developments on this website and for other suitable Shirenewton Community notices. Your e-mail address will not be sold, shared or passed onto anyone.
How do I know the money goes to the church?
Ultimately the church accounts will show this site as a separate income source. If are really, really concerned please contact the Church Treasurer who will be pleased to re-assure you!
Why should I support the church - I don't go to church?
Many people who don't go to church or are infrequent church attendees support the general aims and community work of the church and generally think it's a 'good thing'.
This site provides a means for you to support the church and community without attending church or even been seen to support the church.
In Shirenewton the church is extremely active in organising 'non church' community events. These range from the annual village fete to village rounders games on the recreation field.
Therefore think of the church as being at the centre of the community - hopefully that's something you will want to support and encourage.
Remember the village community spirit and the fact that it's a 'nice place to live' goes to keeping the price of your home higher than the surrounding area - therefore maintaining the church and its involvement in the community keeps your property investment sound!
Many communities are losing their churches through lack of support. We are not asking you to attend church, we are not even asking you to dig in your pockets and donate your hard earned cash - we are simply asking that you make your on-line purchases through this site!
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