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Answers to frequently asked questions

General

Q: How does Active Circle make money?
A: 10% of purchases made through Active Circle are credited to our own Affiliate ID. This funds our services, support and ongoing development.
Q: Do my members pay more when they shop through my e-storefront?
A: No, they pay exactly the same price as if they shopped at the on-line stores directly. The on-line retailer pays the affiliate fee in return for referring customers to their on-line stores.
Q: How often are payments made? Is there a minimum?
A: Payment is made directly from Amazon.com to you. Amazon determines the payment terms and commission percentages.
Q: Does anyone have to pay to participate in this program?
A: The is no setup cost for an instant co-brand. There is a $200 setup cost for a custom co-brand.
Q: Why do my members have to start their shopping from my site?
A: When a member clicks on a link to Active Circle from your site, a co-brand code travels with then. This lets us tell Amazon to credit this purchase to your Associate ID.
Q: What role am I expected to play in promoting my e-storefront?
A: The success of your e-storefront depends on the number of members who use it. You should mention it in every appropriate place, announcements at meetings, your newsletter, letterhead, emails, and other membership communications.
Q: I know of another individual or organization that might benefit from this. How can I add them to the program?
A: Any organization that needs to raise money and has limited administrative resources can benefit from the Active Circle system. Send them our URL or send an email to telling us about who they are and how we can contact them. We'll take it from there.
Q: What happens if I no longer want to participate?
A: If you no longer want to use our e-storefront, the link to Active Circle should be removed from your site. If you have a custom co-brand, send us an email stating that you wish to terminate the arrangement and we will remove the co-brand material from our site.
Q: How do you protect personal information?
A: We gather no personal information from shoppers or visitors to Active Circle.
Q: Will my organization have to pay taxes on our Amazon Associate revenue?
A: Amazon requires that you provide a federal tax ID in order to obtain an Amazon Associate account. Amazon will issue a 1099 to declare that revenue.
Q: We are a non-profit organization. Do we have to pay taxes?
A: Even though your organization is tax exempt, it still may be liable for tax on its Unrelated Business Income. See the tax resources page for additional links.
Q: One of my members is not happy with a purchase. How do they return it?
A: Amazon and their merchants are responsible for handling returns.