It’s your friend’s birthday and you know she really wants an iPad, but you only have enough for the classic annual scented candle. Instead of wasting money on yet another unwanted gift, what if you could go online and invite your friends and family to chip in for that iPad or other coveted item, collect the funds electronically, then get your friend what she really wants? That’s the premise behind Shareagift.com, the world’s first fully dedicated social gifting website, which launches in beta today.
Shareagift is the brainchild of Justine Angelli, CEO of Absolute Technology Portfolio (ATP), a venture capital incubator lead by a highly experienced team with a proven track record of success launching start-ups and internet business ventures. As ATP’s latest offering, Shareagift provides a simple, fun and secure way for friends and acquaintances to collect contributions together to buy really great gifts for their friends – wherever they are in the world, from any store they like, for any gifting occasion. Available for use by anyone over the age of 18, the company promises to transform the gifting process by moving it into the realms of the social and developing a new approach to ‘social gifting’ at a time when social commerce, made popular by companies like Groupon, is proving so valuable to consumers.
“We are changing the way people buy gifts,” said Shareagift founder Angelli. “In this economic era, everyone is tired of waste. Instead of giving a token gift the recipient may not like, Shareagift allows groups of friends to easily pool their hard-earned money and put it towards that one great gift the person really does want, whether it’s a watch, a trip, a painting, absolutely anything.”
To use the service, a primary organizer selects a gift for the chosen recipient from any retailer on or offline, or from one of Shareagift’s partners using the personalized Findagift tool on the site. The Creator then makes a Gift Page on Shareagift.com and shares it via email with their friends and contacts. Anyone who wants to contribute towards the gift can do so by making a payment through the Gift Page, using either their PayPal or credit or debit card. Once sufficient funds have been raised or the gift deadline has been reached, the Creator returns to the site to collect the money and go buy the gift.
Shareagift takes the hassle out of group gift buying, eliminating the need for the organizer to front a large sum of money, then wait, fingers crossed, for everyone to reimburse him or her. Instead, money is raised before the item is purchased, and all contributions go into a secure account, for eventual transfer into the organizers own PayPal account. From here, he or she can also transfer the funds to their bank account to spend as cash on a gift from any store they choose. The site’s private money collection feature also benefits contributors who might otherwise hesitate to send funds to someone they barely know, while relieving them of the pressure to find an original or expensive gift. And, since payment is made online, friends and relatives anywhere in the world can share in the gift giving.
The social nature of the site also aims to make group-gifting fun. Invitees that visit the Gift Page can see a pie chart with the targeted amount, plus who has already contributed, and how much more needs to be raised, making the fund-raising process exciting for everyone involved. Friends can upload their photo to the page and leave heartfelt messages, which can then be delivered to the recipient with the gift.
“There is an addictive quality to social gifting,” said Angelli. “Shareagift is also the perfect platform for worthy causes. What if someone wants a life-changing surgery they can’t afford? Now others can rally together to help make a difference in that person’s life. The potential for group charity on a personal scale is huge.”
Shareagift.com launches in beta today in both the US and UK markets and across all English-speaking audiences online. The company is also developing a Facebook application that will further encourage viral spread and the social gifting concept.
For more information about Shareagift, visit www.shareagift.com.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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