I am not sure what to do with our wrapping paper sale. We are also having Innisbrook and Red Apple out for a discussion. Has anyone got any feedback on them that could help me? I am getting told about this "guarantee" from Red Apple, but I am not sure... it seems like we have to do stuff for them to get it. I would appreciate info regarding experiences with both of them. I have also just heard from George Jackson a local vendor. I am also unsure why some catalogs, i.e. Red Apple, George Jackson, Qsp have some of the same items...but at different prices!

Last year our board interviewed and selected a vendor for this sale. We were offered the sun, the moon and the stars as far as incentives (not to us personally - we each got a few pieces of candy during their presentations - I would not accept anything else even if it was offered, and would be insulted if it was, but that's a whole nother topic, isn't it?) Prizes for top sellers, prizes for drawings for those who sold a certain number of items, a prize for each classroom to have their own drawing, and teacher incentives. These were offered by every one of the vendors we interviewed.

Fast forward - I've moved 1300 miles away and have offered to chair this event here. The contract is signed and to my total surprise the vendor this school uses not only does not offer these incentives, they even charge for the samples they provide for the display case during the sale. They do the prize catalog for the kids, and offer a roll of paper to each staff member to encourage their encouragement to the student body.

By the way - the percentage kept by the parent group is almost the same, so it's not like they are making up for it by giving the group more money in lieu of these selling incentives.

Just wondering if any of you have had success in negotiating after the contract is signed? That's the direction I'm headed, but as the contract is already signed and dates set, don't know how much success I will have.