I think it really boils down to price since the products they sell are either the same or similar. Most of the companies have good service and are easy to work with. Our school decided to bid out what we needed and let them fight for our business. We ended up going with Educational Products since they had a price guarantee and will beat anyones price by %3. We have worked with them for 3 years now and are very happy with their service
Has anyone had any experience with 1 Stop School Shop? We used them this year for the first time and they were very good in the beginning - helped us with our lists, etc. But now I'm having a hard time getting a hold of them. Any suggestions?!!
Our school did this several years ago, and I can tell you that from a parent's perspective, it was wonderful! I think we used Innisbrook? The quality was great, all brand-name stuff, and the fact that I just had to fill out a form and send in my check--no wandering the aisles of assorted office supply stores and WalMart trying to find the right combination of highlighter colors, which of course didn't exist in one package--it was like getting a reprieve from purgatory.
Unfortunately we haven't done it since, because our teachers can't agree on a unform supply list. I love our teachers, but last year as I was trying yet again to find an item that simply isn't manufactured to meet the teacher's specifications, I was ready to call the principal and strongly urge that she simply lay down the law. If they expect every parent in the school to buy the supplies, then the 2-3 teachers per grade should HAVE to agree on a list.
We are in the process of evaluating about 4 different companies. You can find different vendors on this website, in the back of PTOToday magazine, or thru an internet search. If you fax them a typical supply list, they'll send you a sample box for free. As we get the sample boxes, we are putting them in the teacher's lounge so they can see the quality and provide feedback. Eventually we'll also display them for our parents, and ultimately probably raffle off the sample boxes at a PTO meeting or to the teachers.
In our case,we need a company who is willing to create a different box for each grade level (2-5).
For this to work, we need to get the teachers in each grade level to agree upon a standard set of supplies. I think they are nervous that this list will be the only supplies they can request from the students. Our committee chair needs to reassure them that the prepackaged box is just the basics, and not every single kid will buy the box, so they can still have supply lists specific for their own classroom.
We have been discussing trying a school supply program at our school. Does anyone know of a good company? Please let us know if you run one and the good and bad things about this program. Thanks!
