And do the PTA/PTO's need to take into account Customer #2 when your only providing a small variety (albeit a variety of products)

(i.e Our Community really likes chocolate but we're selling Wrapping Paper, Christmas Ornaments with some candy (or none due to Wellness Policy or We're selling Cookie dough and the community really wants Wrapping paper trinkets)

Do PTA/PTO's have the resources to figure (Marketing, Likes/Dislike) out what the best items are to sell (I'd think fundraisng is more like a sport draft - you have initial #s and past history - but it could still be a bust - no interest, no $$$, bad economy, etc)

Isnt it just a preference of service, reps attitude, williness, profit not neccessarily the item or what customer #2 wants? (How do we know what they want- parents may be surveyed and you get some consenses- but do they really care- they just want (or dont want) a fundraiser)

Its still just a crap-shoot? Isnt it?

[ 10-20-2006, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Have the PTA/PTO's become to shortsighted or too dependant on the Fundraising companies?

Maybe not utilizing fundraising resources adequately (Less fundraising comapny use more applying for Grants, straight donations)

We're working on a Game Fundraisng idea with the Game Manufacturers Assoc- keep it coming- I'm learning

[ 10-20-2006, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Yes they want to support the school, organization or whomever.

But they're not buying the product because they 'want it' they're buying it because 'they want it to support the school'

So are they really a customer in the classic sense- they're looking soley at price vs support vs the guilt factor of not supporting.

For example, some people will buy a fundraisng item because it is modest price. In this case the good demanded is actually prestige or (non guilt for not supporting), and not a item, so if the quality of the fundraising item decreases, the demand would decrease since it is a different good?

I dont think most would be considered a customer in the classic sense- I'd say most are only buying to support the school (prestige and guilt factor) not because of a 'customer need'- so wouldnt #2 be irrelevant In what they want- they'll buy anything of good quality)- they'de buy ugly pictures painted with macaroni and cheese, glued on with chewwed Elmers glue and snot - if they're kid made it (i've seen it happen)

[ 10-20-2006, 06:26 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Originally posted by <beignets&coffee>:
Maybe I missed this somewhere in all the words above.....did anyone mention 'the customer is always right'?

But what makes this situation unique is that there are actually two customers here.

Customer #1 - The PTO / PTA is a "customer" of the fundraising company.

Customer #2 - The people in the community who buy the products in support of the PTO / PTA are a "customer" of the PTO / PTA's.


What may be "right" for customer #1, may not be "right" for customer #2.

Shawn mentioned in the above post - "I'm the customer and this is how much I want, what I want, waht I need to raise... Change Or Die.."

But Shawn, that may be what customer #1 wants, but what does customer #2 want? I don't think that is being taken into consideration by the PTO / PTA's. People want to buy quality programs at a fair price, while at the same time supporting a good cause or organization. Nobody wants to be taking advantage of. That's why Tim and I agree that organizations who damand a certain profit margin are shortsighted in the greater picture.

Sorry not good at regular english and economics

Supply and demand - is a misnomers (yes there's a demand for fundraisng but not neccessarily any of the products) -the companies make this product -hoping someone will buy- not because those items are actually wanted- (like I really need candles, wrapping paper, choc turtles) IMHO its ALL crap and trinkets-that's overpriced and I can buy cheaper at Wamart, etc.

The demand is fundraisng not neccessarily the products- PTA/PTO's do it because its mainly done for them (I still think the prizes and gimmics are worthless too)

If fundraisng companies go out of business that's not neccesarily a bad thing- PTA/PTo's will just have to be creative (Market days from their own school garden, cook-offs, penny drives)

The parents, families buy not from a need of items (its too support school) or demand (so their is no supply and demand for the items)

I think is very prudent for the PTA/PTO's to maximize, effort and profit - even at the expense of the fundraising comapnies- if they cnat supply the service I demand (now there's a suppl y and demand) they'll fall by the wayside (When I buy a product I dont care who they employ (unless it illegal aliens), who many middle men there are, what their cost is)

Bottomline is what is my return on my investment (time, money, value to school and educucation - if fundraising)


How can it be shortsited is what I dont understand?- if they dont adapt and sell quality service, price and goods- some one else will plus tell me 'I'm the customer and I'm right'

We're not here for the fundraisng comapnies their here for us.

(I give a monetary donation the school and dont buy fundraising items)

[ 10-20-2006, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Originally posted by <beignets&coffee>:
Maybe I missed this somewhere in all the words above.....did anyone mention 'the customer is always right'?

I actually don't think that's true, biegnets. "The customer always gets what she asks for", maybe. And because groups are demanding it (50%), they're often getting it.

But what the groups are asking for here is short-sighted, in my opinion.

Tim