Easy fund raising for the RDRPS

Do you buy things online from Amazon or similar websites?

If you do, a very small effort on your part could raise funds for RDRPS at no cost to you. In 6 months, just one member has earned nearly £30 for RDRPS, simply by going via easyfundraising to the vendor’s website, rather than direct. With hundreds of members, this can be a zero-cost way to raise significant amounts of money for RDRPS. There is no difference in the price you pay. You get the same prices (and offers) as by going direct. All it takes is a bit of effort.

How does RDRPS get the money?

RDRPS has registered as a “Cause” on the easyfundraising website. If, instead of going direct to Amazon’s (or other retailer’s) website, you go to it via the easyfundraising website, the retailer will make a payment to easyfundraising, who will then pass on part of that benefit to RDRPS. Effectively, easyfundraising acts as a paid advertising service.

How do I set this up?

You go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk , register your name and email address and create a password to identify yourself to the system. You then select Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society from a drop-down box of “Causes”. You do this only once.

How do I earn money for RDRPS?

Whenever you want to buy from an online retailer, go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk and use the retailer reference within that site rather than going to the retailer’s website direct. That’s it. If you buy from the retailer, RDRPS gets money. You’ll get confirmation via email of each payment when it is credited to RDRPS. For some retailers, “this can take up to 30 days”, although Amazon – to quote a favourite example – takes 5 or less.

When does RDRPS get the money?

Provided at least £15 has accrued, RDRPS gets a cheque each quarter. If there’s less than £15, it gets carried forward to the following quarter

Isn’t this site full of overpriced rubbish that nobody in their right mind would buy?

Well, of course, some of it is cr*p, but amongst the 600 or so retailers are Amazon, John Lewis, M&S, Argos, etc., that you probably use anyway, because their service and prices are good. And you get the same deal from the retailer as you would if going direct. The difference is that RDRPS gets money for your bit of extra effort

How much does RDRPS get?

At present, all of the sites named above pay 2.5% of the order value to RDRPS. Some retailers offer more; some less. Some offer lump sums. Payments will, no doubt, vary with time.

Am I supposed to believe that there is such a thing as a “free lunch”?

No. In the end, someone has to pay. But easyfundraising is selling an advertising service, which is paid for by advertisers. It’s no different in principle to advertising on commercial TV or in magazines. If the retailers who advertise also have the best prices, there is never a good reason not to use them.

But is it worthwhile?

Do the math, as they say in the colonies. If every member of RDRPS bought just one measly paperback from Amazon in a year, that would be worth nearly £100 for RDRPS.

Will I get loads of junk mail as a result of signing up?

No. During the registration process, you can opt out of mailings from easyfundraising.

Is it money for old rope?

You tell me – but after you sign up to www.easyfundraising.org.uk

What’s the biggest problem with this?

Remembering to go via the easyfundraising site, rather than direct. So save the www.easyfundraising.org.uk site as a bookmark in your browser.

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