1. Why should I purchase stock from you rather than going through a broker?

2. Is this an actual share of stock?

3. How do I place an order?

4. What information is required to place an order?

5. Can I purchase the certificate without the frame?

6. What if I want a stock that is not currently offered?

7. Can you ship to an address that is different from the certificate / recipients address?

8. How soon can I expect delivery?

9. What is 2 Part Delivery?

10. What is a Gift Note?

11. How do you ship?

12. Why did I get correspondence from the company before I got my certificate?

13. Do I need to provide a social security number to purchase a stock certificate?

14. I am under 18, can I buy a stock certificate?

15. Can I buy this for someone under 18?

16. Can I purchase stock for an unborn child?

17. Why is it so important for me to check my order?

18. Can I place an order by phone or fax?

19. What is the "GIFTize" fee?

20. What do I get as a shareholder?

21. What is scripophily?

22. Can I register the share in my business name?

23. Can I buy more than one share of a company?

24. Can I get more words put on the engraved plaque?

25. Your stock price is different from the current quote on the stock?

26. Are you a broker, how can you sell shares of stock?

27. Why does my certificate have blemishes or slight creases?

28. Can a person outside of the U.S. be a registered shareholder?

29. What happens if the underlying company changes or stops issuing physical paper certificates after I order?

30. Can I sell my stock and if so, how?

GiveAshare.com^® gives you exceptional value. Our business focus and processes are all geared toward delivering 1 share of stock packaged as a gift.  As such, we are easier, faster, and less expensive than using a broker AND we provide custom framing.  Here at GiveAshare.com^® we are able to use our buying power to get you the best deals.  Brokers charge commissions AND a significant fee to send you the physical certificate.   In addition, the delivery cycle-time is longer.   You can't beat our framing/matting prices!   Stock certificates come in odd sizes  (generally  8" x 12") making framing/matting more challenging.   Our mats are acid free and have been color matched to the certificate.  See price comparison. 

Yes!  At GiveAshare.com^® you are purchasing a real share of stock.  The recipient is the registered owner entitled to anything that any shareholder gets.  That's the part that makes this gift unique, educational, and everlasting.    The registered owner can receive annual reports from the company, any declared dividends or stock splits, voting proxies and any other little extras given to shareholders, like Wrigley  sending a box of chewing gum, McDonalds sending coupons for free Big Mac, and Starbucks giving a coffee card with $. 

It's easy!  Go to our stock list to look at our growing list of stocks or if you want one that is not on our list, go to custom stocks.  Once you have decided on the stock you want, just select it and continue through the process.  You will be given a chance to customize your order (frame type, color, plaque engraving, gift-wrap, kids package etc.).  The shopping cart steps you through the process.  For more information on the ordering process, see Ordering is Easy.

We will need to register the stock certificate in the new owner's name.  To do this we normally only need name and current address.  If the stock is to be issued to a minor, you will need to provide the name of one adult custodian.  A custodian is a parent, guardian or some other responsible adult.  Note that Leapfrog and Steinway Musical require the recipient's tax ID # before we can register the stock.  For more information on the ordering process, see Ordering is Easy.

No, but we do offer our Cardboard Protector Frame for $1.  GiveAshare.com^® is set up to provide a personalized and unique gift package that consists of a framed stock certificate.  We offer top quality frames in an assortment of colors.  Note that most stock certificates are an odd size (generally  8" X 12") and our price  for mounting, framing and matting these unique certificates will be less than what you can find on your own. 

Our product catalog lists over 80 stocks  (and growing) that we inventory.  We do have the ability to get other NYSE or NASDAQ stocks that are not on our list.  See Custom Stock order.

Yes.  We require the recipient's address in order to register the stock, but during the ordering process you will also be asked to provide a 'Bill To' and 'Ship To' address that can be different, giving you all the flexibility you need.

Delivery times are paced by the stock registration process.  You can expect delivery within 3 - 7 weeks with most delivered in the shorter end of that range.  We inventory the shares so are able to beat broker delivery times.  For those trying to meet an occasion deadline, we offer various solutions that can be used individually or together to expedite delivery.  You can take advantage of our 2 Part Delivery (see below), use a Gift Notes, or simply arrange for a faster mode of shipment.  We also give you a way to keep your gift a surprise.   Contact us about your gift deadlines and we can help you determine the right course of action.

See our 2 Part Delivery page.

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See our Gift Note page.

We generally use UPS for domestic shipping and USPS is generally more economical for international orders.  Our shopping cart allows you to choose the mode of shipment and uses both UPS and USPS live rate lookup to calculate the shipping cost.  You will receive an email notification with a tracking number upon shipment on UPS orders.

For international orders: UPS shipping methods provide tracking and are insured.  USPS Global Express Mail is insured but tracking is limited, and all other USPS options are NOT insured and do NOT provide tracking so if you choose these options, you are assuming the risk of loss.

Each company has a transfer agent that manages their stockholder activity.  GiveAshare.com^® works with these transfer agents to get the stock registered in the recipient's name.  Once registered, the company whose stock is purchased, may send the shareholder correspondence such as a welcome letter, dividend check, request to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan, or a W9 Form.  In certain circumstances, this can even occur before receipt of the physical framed certificate.  The reason is that the electronic registration happens first and then the physical certificate is issued to GiveAshare.com^® for framing, packing and shipping. 

We have developed a patent pending process that enables you to get a tangible gift to give without spoiling the SURPRISE.  During checkout, you must select 2 Part Delivery and then put in your gift date and we will adjust the registration process to ensure nothing gets sent to the recipient.

Generally not.  Normally the company whose stock was purchased, will request the shareholder's social security number by sending a W9 form to the shareholder (see question #12 above) after the stock is registered.  For non U.S. shareholder's, the company will send a W8 form to the shareholder. 

Some transfer agents require a social security number in order to register the stock.  If you do not have the SSNO or if it would ruin the surprise by getting it from the recipient, we recommend selecting 2 Part Delivery which allows the shareholder to provide their SSNO after the gift is given.  Companies that require a SSNO for registration include 1-800-Flowers, Apex Silver, Dell, Dominos, Leapfrog, Trump, QuikSilver, Raytheon, Steinway Musical, WWE .

Yes, but only under adult supervision.  The name of a custodian must be provided for stock that is being bought for a minor.  A custodian is a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult whose name will also appear on the registered stock.  Only one minor child and one adult custodian name can appear on the stock certificate.

Yes.  The name of an adult custodian must be provided for stock that is being bought for a minor.  A custodian is a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult whose name will also appear on the registered stock.  Only one minor child and one adult custodian name can appear on the stock certificate.

Yes.  However, we cannot register the stock until we have a name for the child (and an adult custodian). What you can do in this instance, is purchase a stock using our 2 Part Delivery.  We will send the 1st part of the order out without a name, and hold off on registering the stock until you have provided us with a name for the child - after he or she is born.

At GiveAshare.com^® your satisfaction is extremely important to us.   Because so much of this product is dependent on your input (certificate registration information and plaque engraving information) it is critical that you double check the information you provide so that you end up with exactly what you want.  You get both an on-line confirmation and an email confirmation.  Please see our return policy for more specifics.

Yes.  Go through the normal checkout process to make all of your selections to price out your order including shipping (select "Phone Order" as the payment method).  Then print out the order and call us at the contact numbers provided.

This is the fee that we charge for providing our service which includes stock purchase, stock registration, and gift assembly  (matting and framing the certificate and plaque).  This is one-stop-shopping at a terrific price.  Brokers and custom framers will not do all of this and they charge a higher price.  See price comparison to see the value that you get by going through GiveAshare.com^® . 

You are entitled to everything that any shareholder gets.  This can include quarterly and annual shareholder reports that include new products and plans as well as financial results; dividends and/or stock splits if declared by the company; and any special shareholder extras that some companies provide such as Wrigley sending a box of chewing gum, IBM offering computer deals to shareholders, and Starbucks giving a coffee card with $.  All of this makes for an everlasting gift that can be extremely educational and enjoyable. 

Scripophily is the collecting of old stocks and bonds.  The word is made up of the English word "scrip" which represents ownership or right and the Greek word "philos" which means love.  This is considered a hobby for some and an investment by others and in recent years it has exploded in popularity.  Collectors are attracted by ornate artwork, printed signatures, historical significance, and aesthetics.

Yes.  In this case we require that you include the business tax identification number (your social security number for a sole proprietorship).  Please call us to provide this information.

No. GiveAshare.com^® is set up to sell one share of stock as a unforgettable gift, keepsake or collectible and has to abide by rules established by the SEC.  You can buy five 1-share certificates at our price but not one 5-share certificate.

Yes. It is possible to arrange for a larger plaque and/or smaller font to accommodate more words.  Please contact us.

The price on these publicly traded companies is constantly changing. GiveAshare.com^® updates the stock price portion of our price periodically based on the market price so at any point in time there could be a difference but it will generally be very close.

Although we are not a broker or dealer we are allowed to do what we do by adhering to criteria established by the Securities and Exchange Commission.   We have structured our business, product and pricing to be in full compliance with the SEC guidelines such as selling stock only in 1-share increments, adhering to minimum prices, and marketing our product as a gift or collectible and not as an investment.

The transfer agent begins with company-generic certificates pre-printed with the company logo and design and then runs them through a printing process to record the registration and authentication information.  In limited cases, this printing process may leave slight creases or  blemishes on the certificate.   Each transfer agent has a slightly different process, some of which are more conducive to blemishes/slight creases on the certificate (generally Mellon, contact us for more info ).  This process makes it the real deal!

GiveAshare.com^® performs a quality review to ensure that the certificate condition is consistent with what the transfer agent normally delivers to all registered owners.

Yes.  Please note that when shipping outside of the U.S., some countries may charge additional taxes or custom duties/fees upon delivery which are not included in the price.

Also note that for international orders: UPS shipping methods provide tracking and are insured.  With USPS: Express Mail International, and USPS:Priority Mail International, limited insurance is provided, and tracking is limited once the package leaves the United States. All other USPS options do NOT provide any tracking or insurance, so if you choose this option, you assume the risk of loss.

There is a movement in the industry away from physical paper certificates which adds to the collectible value of certificates.  Although improbable, it is possible for the underlying company to stop issuing physical certificates after an order is placed.  In the unlikely event that this occurs, GiveAshare.com^® will frame a realistic copy of the company's last paper certificate and add the shareholder's name.  This will look like the real thing and will represent the fact that the recipient owns one share electronically.  The real proof of electronic ownership will be evidenced by a statement and account number sent directly to the shareholder by the transfer agent.  Electronic ownership is no different than having a physical certificate and the shareholder is entitled to all the same benefits.

In the unlikely event that the company you buy significantly changes the design of their stock certificate after the order is placed, the buyer will have the option of getting a mock-up copy of the original designed certificate with the recipient's name printed on it along with the real registered certificate (new design). 

You are a true shareholder and can do anything you want with your stock.  You can sell your stock through a broker or IF your company offers a DRIP and you participate, you can generally sell through the Plan (normally at lower fees).