BuyCasts: FAQs

1. Do I have to have a Facebook account to use BuyCasts?

Yes. BuyCasts is an application integrated into the Facebook platform. What this means is, in order to participate, you must be a Facebook member.
2. How do I Join BuyCasts?

IT’S SIMPLE! Just click the JOIN NOW button anywhere on this web site, OR log into Facebook. Then go to the Buycasts Application Fan page, click ‘LIKE’ while you’re there, then click ‘Go To Application’ under the Buycasts picture. Facebook will ask you to allow Buycasts to access your basic profile and some additional information that we need to personalize your BuyCasts experience. Simply ‘Allow Access’ and after a brief moment you’ll be ready to start ‘buycasting’ your purchases, referring your trusted business relationships and supporting your favorite causes!
3. Are there hidden costs in Buycasts?

No. Buycasts is about building better communities. So we made it a free application for all to use. It costs nothing to buycast your purchases, refer your trusted business relationships and support your favorite causes.

However, in addition to joining BuyCasts, some people may choose to add and upgrade their business profile. An upgraded profile gains a business person (we call them Merchants) access to special tools for generating more referrals opportunities. You can upgrade an account for $9.95/mo.
4. What's so unique about BuyCasts?

It’s a rare win-win-win-win! 1st – consumers (i.e. Members) get great deals and referrals from their friends that they can feel good about. 2nd – businesses (i.e. Merchants) get timely, personal referrals to a qualified and interested audience. 3rd – non-profits (i.e. Causes) generate greater exposure for their mission and purpose, while gaining access to a new donor base … our Charitable Merchants. And 4th - the entire community benefits as the most Charitable Merchants, with the most satisfied customers, get the most business. Good people, supporting good business, for good Causes … build better communities!
5. How does Buycasts extend my Facebook network?

Buycasts connects the business profiles of its member’s two levels deep on Facebook. This means that you gain access to the business profiles of your friends (1st Level) and their friends (2nd Level). This creates a potential referral network of more than 18,000 people for the average Facebook user.
6. If I sign up as a Member who can see my information?

Only the people you allow … you’re in total control! The BuyCasts app will automatically add your friends and their business profiles to your personal referral network. You can edit/delete people whenever you desire.
7. How can I find out who and what businesses are in the Buycasts network

BuyCasts provides multiple search tools throughout its site. You can search for your favorite business or add one that isn’t already in our database. You won’t have to search for the businesses that are owned by your friends or employ your friends. When they join BuyCasts, we will automatically add your friends and their business profiles to your personal referral network. You can edit/delete these people whenever you desire.
8. Once I write a review, how long does it remain on a Merchant’s profile?

Until You Choose To Change It! Instead of publishing every good experience into your Facebook News Feed, just write them a review in Buycasts. Your review is always available (2) Friend levels deep. If anyone BuyCasts a need for product or service that can be provided by one of your Trusted Merchants, then their name and your review will be automatically referred to them.
9. What type of charitable causes can I support?

BuyCasts has more than 500,000 non-profits in its database and is adding more each day. You can choose from charities, faith-based organizations, political action groups, advocacy groups, universities, colleges, high schools, sororities, and fraternities. If you don't find your favorite charitable organization in our database, you can have them registered by clicking here.
10. How does BuyCasts help advance my social values?

BuyCasts helps promote your values in two ways. First, by giving you the opportunity to see what Causes, friends and values you share with local Merchants. When you spend money with merchants who share your values, it is the most powerful way to leverage your purchasing power for good!

Secondly, Buycasts enables Merchants to pledge charitable donations for each referral they receive while participating in Buycasts. All donations (100%) are distributed among the Top 100 Charities and Causes supported by BuyCasts members. The amount that each charity receives is based on the number of Charitable Credits that have been generated by its Buycasts supporters. So the more you use Buycasts … the more you earn for Charities and Causes.
11. How do I earn Charitable Credits and what are they good for?
Charitable Credits are fun to rack up! How many credits will you earn for the Charities & Causes you support is all up to you!
- You earn Charitable Credits every time you BuyCast an upcoming purchase. The amount of Charitable Credits you earn each month is based on how often you BuyCast, how often you refer your Trusted Merchants, how big your referral network is and how many Causes & Charities you support. So the more active the member, the more credits earned!
- Charitable Credits are earned and distributed to your Causes and Charities at the end of month.
- The Causes & Charities with the most credits (Top 100) are eligible to receive donations
- Donations are generated by Charitable Merchants who pledge a donation for each referral they receive.
12. How do the Charitable Donations get calculated and disbursed to the Causes?

The total sum of all charitable donations is paid to the Top 100 Causes & Charities. The amount that each Cause receives is weighted by the number of credits generated by its supporters. A Cause with more credits gets more or the donations pie.
13. Why didn’t any referrals come up when I ‘buycasted’ a purchasing interest?

The most common reason would be the word you’re buycasting. For instance if you are looking for a plumber to fix your broken pipe, try buycasting ‘plumber’ vs. ‘broken pipe repair’. Buycasting works like a search engine, so try using key words or phrases to get the most optimum results. The second possibility is that no merchant in your zip code has signed up yet as we are just launching. Try expanding your search area (if applicable) and post to your news feed the huge opportunity for someone who provides that type of product or service in your area!
14. Why should I upgrade my business profile?
You can add your business profile and upgrade your account at any time. There are two types of upgraded accounts. Both Premium Merchants and Chartable Merchants receive the following tools and capabilities:
- Greater visibility and priority placements through the system
- An unlimited supply of referrals
- The ability to target special offers and promotions
- Opportunity to generate more referrals by donating to charities. (Charitable Merchants only)
You pay $9.95 per month for an upgraded account. Payment is made through secure credit card transaction you set up when you upgrade to a Premium or Charitable Merchant Account.
15. If I upgrade to a Premium Merchant or Charitable Merchant Account is there a contract and how do I pay?

No contracts. You may decide to drop back to a regular Merchant Account at any time and still get referrals. Just remember you will lose the unlimited referrals feature, the ability to target special offers to your audience and the opportunity to generate more referrals by donating charities.
16. How does donating to charity help me generate more referrals for my business?

The donation amount you pledge for each referral will get your company higher visibility in the BuyCasts system. The process works just like Google’s Adwords. The more you donate the higher your position in the BuyCast system and the more visibility you get in the Facebook News Feed.

Buycasting (or to Buycast)

To let your Facebook community know what product or service you’re looking for. To ‘buycast’ or post your purchasing interest, before you buy. This action automatically generates a list of trusted providers that your Facebook community has recommended. Buycasting captures the moment in which you can leverage your purchasing interest to attract special offers and discounts on the things you plan to buy. Buycasting also supports your community by generating donations to your favorite causes and builds the businesses of your most trusted relationships.

Member

Anyone who joins BuyCasts. Everyone is considered a Member because everyone benefits from Buycasting their purchases, referring their friends and supporting their Causes. Some people may choose to add their business profile to Buycasts because they are interested in having their friends refer them and their business. These people are both Members and Merchants. Think of it as badges in the Boy Scouts … some people have both a Member badge and a Merchant badge.

Consumer

Everybody is a consumer, just like everybody is a Member. Everybody is able to leverage their social and economic influence to support the businesses, people, values and Causes they believe in.

Referral Network

A closed group or friends and Trusted Merchants. The friends in your Referral Network are able to automatically refer their Trusted Merchants to you whenever you buycast a need that one of their merchants can provide. Likewise, you are able to automatically refer your Trusted Merchants to any of your friends whenever they buycast a need that one of your merchants can provide.

Merchant

A Merchant is a person that is employed by, or represents, a business entity. Anyone can be a Merchant by adding their business profile to BuyCasts. A Merchant is a person who represents a business that provides specific products or services. You do not need to be a business owner to sign up for a Merchant account.

Trusted Merchant

A person, associated with a specific business, which you choose to add to your list of Trusted Merchants. Your Trusted Merchants are automatically referred to your friends anytime one of them buycasts a need for a product or service that one of your merchants can provide. With BuyCasts, you are always referring people and not just a business entity. An example would be, “Tony is referring Bill Zimmerman at The DeMoss Group”. Keep in mind, you have total control over your list of Trusted Merchants and can add and delete merchants at any time.

Business

A business is an entity and not a person. A business is not a Merchant … people are Merchants. BuyCasts gives you the ability to search more than 5 million companies to find a favorite business. You can then add the business relationships (people) that you work with or know at that organization and add these people as Trusted Merchants. These people will be automatically referred as Trusted Merchants to your friends anytime they buycasts a need for a product or service that this business and person can provide. With BuyCasts, you are always referring people and not just a business entity. An example would be, “Tony is referring Bill Zimmerman at The DeMoss Group”

Account

Account is a term we reserve for Merchants. There are three types of Merchant Accounts: Basic Merchants (Free), Premium Merchant and Charitable Merchants.

Cause

If you’ve been designated by the IRS as non-profit, you meet our definition of Cause or Charity. Causes may be supported by the Members of BuyCasts. If you can’t find a Cause you support in our database, you may request to register them.

Charitable Merchant

An upgraded Merchant who pledges and donates a specific dollar amount every time they are referred to a member who is looking for product or service that they can provide.

Charitable Credits

Monthly credits (or points) that Member earns by actively participating in Buycasts.

Actively Participating

Using the Buycasts application and being active in the network by: logging in, ‘buycasting’ your purchases, building your list of Trusted Merchant, adding and supporting Causes, and building your Referral Network by suggesting Buycasts to friends

BuyCasts