Check with your local dollar stores . . . we have one that does Holiday Shops. They supply everything for $1.00 each, plus tax. We charge $1.25 each for about 3/4 of it, $1.00 each for the rest. We usually have a small profit after covering 6% sales tax and breakage. It works out very well for us. Parent feedback is positive with this set-up over some of the other, higher-priced companies. It's an option worth looking into.
Pals, thanks for your reply. I have been looking at all the different companies out there that do these shops, and I'm not 100% sure about the items that they sell. On older post someone mentioned doing it themselves and using an online store that you can buy from called Kole Imports. I went to their site to check it out, not bad. They supply a lot of the $1.00 & 99 cent stores. I couldn't get their pricing unless I registered, but I figured everything there had to be about $.50 or less, since they are items that I have found in our local mom and pop $1.00 store. The only downfall I see with that company is that you have to purchase a minimum of $500.00. You should check it out though.
Hi angela, we have used fun services for four years, this coming year we decided to try doing it ourselves. We decided that after seeing what sells and how much our students have to spend. This past year we felt that the items were a little higher than we want, We don't do it for profit so the mark up of funservices is not something that we look for. We give out coupons so that we don't make much on it. It is nice to break even so that will continue to be our goal.
When we got started it was nice to have the direction of the company and also that they take back what you don't sell...that is nice. You do have to inventory it before and after but I think you would want to do that either way for future references.
What we decided to do is have so many people and each person will mainly concentrate on buying for one person (mom, dad, siblings, etc.) If they do see something that would work they can still get it and just keep in communication with the others. The other thing we noticed with funservices was stuff that we could get at the local dollar store was priced at 3.00. It will be more work but we are excied about doing it...we will see. If I was new I would go with a company...but that is just my view! Good luck
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
I am looking into holiday gift shops in which the students can purchase items for family memebers at a low price. I have only received information from a company called Fun Services. Looks like they have two fundraisers to offer, The Holiday Gift Shop as well as Santa's Secret Shop. Are any of you familiar with either of these fundraisers? I have been reading old posts on this site looking for any information with this type of event, and the search came up about 50/50. Some people say to use a company, others say to purchase things on your own. Does anyone here have any suggestions? I am going to do a little more research to see what is available out there.... but was thinking that because this is our (my) first time doing this that we may be better off going with a company that provides direction.
Any input on this matter would be appreciated!!! THANKS!
