Frequently Asked Questions

      FAQs
    1. Is it real stock?
    2. How are you different from a stock broker?
    3. Can I buy more than one share?
    4. If I buy more than 1 share, for example, 3 shares, do I pay your price for each share?
    5. Do I need to set up an account or register with GiveAshare?
    6. How long will it take to get the stock certificate?
    7. How do I place an order?
    8. What information is required to place an order?
    9. Can I purchase the certificate without the frame?
    10. What if I want a stock that is not currently offered?
    11. Can you ship to an address that is different from the certificate / recipients address?
    12. How soon can I expect delivery?
    13. What is 2 Part Delivery?
    14. What is a Gift Note?
    15. How do you ship?
    16. Why did I get correspondence from the company before I got my certificate?
    17. Do I need to provide a social security number to purchase a stock certificate?
    18. I am under 18, can I buy a stock certificate?
    19. Can I buy this for someone under 18?
    20. Can I purchase stock for an unborn child?
    21. Why is it so important for me to check my order?
    22. Can I place an order by phone or fax?
    23. What is the "GIFTize" fee?
    24. What do I get as a shareholder?
    25. What is scripophily?
    26. Can I register the share in my business name?
    27. Can I buy more than one share of a company?
    28. Can I get more words put on the engraved plaque?
    29. Your stock price is different from the current quote on the stock?
    30. Are you a broker, how can you sell shares of stock?
    31. Why does my certificate have blemishes or slight creases?
    32. Can a non-U.S. citizen buy stock and be a registered shareholder?
    33. What happens if the company I buy changes or stops issuing paper certificates after I order?
    34. Can I sell my stock and if so, how?
    35. Do Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft issue paper stock certificates?
    36. Do you accept credit cards for all international orders?
    CHAT WITH A LIVE OPERATOR
  • Is it real stock?Absolutely!   You or the recipient become a real shareholder of the company entitled to anything a shareholder gets like annual reports, declared dividends, invites to shareholder meetings etc.  That's what make this gift so unique!  Back to Top
  • How are you different from a stock broker?We specialize in single share stock ownership. It takes only 2 minutes to buy and you can use a credit card. Brokers require you to set up an account, fund it, place an order, have it re-registered if it is a gift.  See also below. Back to Top
  • Can I buy more than one share?Yes. We sell single share ownership at the price stated on the website.  You can buy multiple single shares but the price remains the same for each one and you would get that many one share replica certificates.  For those wanting to buy multiple shares under the same name, if your primary purpose is to buy as an investment, you should consider going to a registered stock broker. Back to Top
  • If I buy more than 1 share, for example, 3 shares, do I pay your price for each share?Yes.  Back to Top
  • Do I need to set up an account or register with GiveAshare?No. No accounts, no hassles.  Back to Top
  • How long will it take?The legal stock registration process normally takes 3-7 weeks.  If you want something faster, consider our 2 Part Delivery. Back to Top
  • Why should I purchase stock from you rather than going through a broker? Good question! As of  1/1/2009, brokers CANNOT deliver paper stock certificates for most stocks because of an industry-wide push toward electronic ownership (see stock certificates). We are still able to get them because we work directly with the transfer agents. In addition, we give you exceptional value. Our business focus and processes are all geared toward delivering 1 share of stock packaged as a gift. We are easier, faster, cheaper, and less bureaucratic than a stock broker plus we provide custom framing and other gift oriented items. In the rare cases where a broker can provide a physical certificate, they charge commissions PLUS a significant fee ($100-$500) to send you the physical certificate.  See better than a broker. Back to Top
  • How do I place an order? It's easy! Go to our stock list to look at our growing list of companies or if you want one that is not on our list, go to custom stock page.  We have many ways to search for just the right stock - by recipient, by occasion,  by price...Once you have decided on the stock you want, select it and you will be given a chance to customize your order (frame type, color, plaque engraving, gift-wrap, kids package etc.). The shopping cart guides you through the process. Back to Top
  • What information is required to place an order? We will need to legally register the stock certificate in the new owner's name. To do this we normally only need the recipient's 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.  The transfer agent for several stocks requires a tax ID # for registration (more info).:   If you don’t have this information, you can select our 2 Part Delivery option and we will include the request with the shipment of the first part.  Back to Top
  • Can I purchase the certificate without the frame? No, but we do offer an attractive cardboard frame for  $1.  Note that most stock certificates are an odd size (generally 8" X 12").  See price comparison. Back to Top
  • What if I want a stock that is not currently offered? Our stock list has over 100 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 page. Back to Top
  • Can you ship to an address that is different than the certificate / recipient's address? 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. Back to Top
  • How soon can I expect delivery? Delivery times are paced by the stock registration process. We will ship your order within 3 - 7 weeks with most shipments occurring 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 receipt. You can take advantage of our 2 Part Delivery (see below), use a Gift Note, 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. Back to Top
  • What is 2 Part Delivery? See our 2 Part Delivery page. Back to Top
  • What is Gift Note? See our Gift Note page. Back to Top
  • How do you ship? We generally use UPS for domestic shipping. 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. UPS shipping methods provide tracking and are insured. USPS Express Mail International is insured but tracking may be limited.  All other USPS options are NOT insured and do NOT provide thorough tracking.  If you choose a shipping option without tracking or insurance,  you assume the risk of loss.  Please keep in mind that if timing is a concern, we ship from Gilbert, Arizona and UPS Ground generally takes a week to get to the East Coast. UPS does not deliver on Saturdays or Sundays (In certain cases, UPS can deliver on Saturdays, but you must contact us to make special arrangements for a UPS Saturday delivery). At Leading Edge Gifts we will meet or beat our shipping commitments but we are at the mercy of UPS and USPS to deliver your order to you. Delays by UPS or USPS due to bad weather or some other reason are out of our control. We will submit claims when possible and pass along any proceeds that we recover to impacted customers. Back to Top
  • Why did I get correspondence from the company before I received my certificate? 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 stock certificate. The reason is that the electronic registration happens first and then the physical certificate is issued to GiveAshare.com for quality review, framing, packing and shipping. We have developed a patent pending process that enables you to get a tangible gift 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. Back to Top
  • Do I need to provide a social security number to purchase a stock certificate? For most companies, we can complete the registration process without a SSNO.  The company (or their transfer agent) will send the new shareholder a W-9 form (W-8BEN for non-U.S.) after the fact.

    There are a handful of companies that require a SSNO (only for U.S. citizens) in order to for us to register the stock.  The list includes1-800-Flowers, Abercrombie & Fitch, Barrick Gold, Dell, Iridium Comm., Krispy Kreme, Manchester United, Microsoft, Quiksilver, Raytheon, Steinway Musical, Ricks Cabaret, WWE, & Yum Brands.  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 (color copy 1st part)  is given.

    In the special case where the new shareholder is a foriegn citizen who temporarily resides in the U.S., we will need a completed W-8BEN form from the shareholder to register the stock. We recommend choosing 2 Part Delivery and contacting us so that we can send the correct W-8BEN request to the shareholder with their 1st part.     Back to Top
  • I am under 18, can I buy a stock certificate? 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. Back to Top
  • Can I buy this for someone under 18? 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. Back to Top
  • Can I purchase stock for an unborn child? 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 or the new parents have provided us with a name for the child - after he or she is born.  See our baby shower packages. Back to Top
  • Why is it so important for me to check my order? 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. Back to Top
  • Can I place an order by phone or fax? 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. Back to Top
  • What is the "GIFTize™" fee? This is the fee that we charge for providing our service which includes stock purchase, legal registration, and gift processing. We offer one-stop-shopping at a terrific price. See how we price and  price comparison to see the value that you get. Back to Top
  • What do I get as a shareholder? You are entitled to everything that any shareholder gets. This can include annual shareholder reports from the company's management, declared dividends, invites to shareholder meetings, and any special shareholder perks (examples: Starbucks has given coffee cards, IBM has given computer discounts, Willamette Valley has given wine discounts etc.).   All of this makes for an everlasting gift that can be extremely educational and enjoyable. Back to Top
  • What is Scripophily? Scripophily is the hobby of 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.  The movement away from paper stock certificates has made this even more popular. Back to Top
  • Can I register the share in my business's name? 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. Back to Top
  • Can I buy more than one share of a company? You can buy any number of one share stock certificates but we cannot sell a multiple share certificate because of rules established by the SEC. For example,  you can buy five 1-share certificates at our price but not one 5-share certificate.  Generally if you want to buy more than a few shares on one certificate, you should probably consider a broker.  Contact us for help in deciding. Back to Top
  • Can I get more words put on the engraved plaque? Yes.  It is possible to arrange for a larger plaque and/or smaller font to accommodate more words. Please contact us. Back to Top
  • Your stock price is different from the current quote on the stock? The price on these publicly traded companies is constantly changing.  We generally update our prices once a week (more often if the market is volatile). Note that our prices reflect the stock price, our fees, and any other fees required to register the stock as well as any adjustments necessary to meet SEC pricing requirements.   See how we price. Back to Top
  • Are you a broker, how can you sell real stock?Although we are not a registered broker or dealer, we are allowed to do what we do by adhering to criteria established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 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 (2x market price), and marketing our product as a gift or collectible and not as an investment. The intent of the SEC requirements is to steer those whose primary purpose is to buy as an investment to a registered stock broker. Back to Top
  • Why does my certificate have blemishes or slight creases? 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 rare 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! We perform a quality review to ensure that the certificate condition is consistent with what the transfer agent normally delivers to all registered owners. Back to Top
  • Can NON-U.S. CITIZEN buy stock and be a registered shareholder? Yes! Generally you will be able to use a credit card but in some cases we may require a wire transfer to protect us from fraudulent orders. 

    Please note that when shipping outside of the U.S., some countries like Canada may charge additional taxes or custom duties/fees upon delivery which are not included in the price. Also, 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.     Back to Top
  • What happens if the underlying company changes or stops issuing physical paper certificates after I order? 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 paper certificates after an order is placed. In the unlikely event that this occurs, we will frame a realistic copy of the company's 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). Back to Top
  • Can I sell my stock and if so, how? 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). Back to Top
  • DO FACEBOOK, APPLE, AND MICROSOFT ISSUE PAPER STOCK CERTIFICATES?These companies have opted to record all shareholder ownership electronically instead of issuing paper stock certificates. You still become a real shareholder of the company entitled to annual reports, declared dividends, invitations to shareholder meetings and anything else afforded to shareholders.  See how we handle Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft.

    Electronic registration is where the whole industry is moving in order to save money. Right now, 99% of the companies on our stock list still offer paper but at some point they will all switch so get them while you still can. See more about stock certificates. Back to Top
  • DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL ORDERS?We accept credit cards on most international orders. We perform a fraud check that may flag high risk orders for more information or a different payment method like a wire transfer. The flags consider high risk countries like Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia and other high risk countries in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. It is unfortunate that a few bad apples can ruin it for everyone. We apologize for any inconvenience but we are a small company that has been burned by fraud in the past. Back to Top