[img]smile.gif[/img] We have used Scholastic over the past several years. We do two book fairs a year at both our schools.
I have to say that, in the past, we had reorder problems. It took a while to get the reorders in a timely fashion.That was a problem and we almost did not do another fair with them but they have shown such a big improvement and I was amazed at how little reorders he had for our last fall bookfairs.
I do have to tell you that I believe the customer service is wonderful They worked with us You have to work with your rep. They will do everything they can for you. You just have to tell them the problems and what you want at your fair and what you don't. We cut down on the trinket items. We did not eliminate it because it is a "necessary evil" as I call it. Just not so much of it, thank you very much. LOL I believe it is a great company. Check out their website, if you haven't already. Lots of great things there.
We have a very small school and have had a lot of success with Scholastic. We have only less than 200 children and most of them are very young, and this year we grossed, I forget, well over $10,000. This year we had an upgraded Scholastic sale, with more hardback books, more classics,and many more adult books (bestsellers, cookbooks, some travel books, holiday books). We have the sale in the fall so people buy christmas presents.
Our biggest problem with scholastic is that the way to get the most return is to get it in scholastic products, and the catalogue that you have to order from is limited. If you take the cash, you only get half as much profit.
We have only used Scholastic. It has become less user-friendly over the last 5 years. Their sales reps have become less helpful and less willing to work with us. The profit margin has decreased considerably and they ignore our requests. We continually ask for very few (10-15)hardcover books and consistently receive boxes full of them. They will only deliver/pick-up in our area on Tuesday. Well, that means we have those huge boxes sitting in the hallways for nearly a week before we can take over the library and set them up. Our book fair is pretty big. We net about $8000 so the you can imagine the gross. Can't they work in a later delivery date for the business we're providing them? Yes, the trinkets and posters are an annoyance. I guess what I'm saying in a nutshell is better customer service. Can you provide that? Betcha can!
I do agree that some kids only have enough money to buy a book mark and pencil (still school related items) - but for the cost of posters kids could get books. We have been very successful with scholastics, however, the last book fair I chaired our sales rep. wanted us to participate in the selling of magazine subscriptions (jamboree I think they call it) when I explained that our book fair is a celebration of reading and we don't want our parents to think of it as just another fundraiser - she basicly told me that the jamboree program may become part of the book fair in the future. This is a big turn off for me - sure some schools may incorporate it into their book fair and love it - but don't push it on us if we don't want it.
I don't mind the "character" books because some kids won't read for fun - these books engage those kids.
The only other issue might be that popular books always seem to be out of stock when we reorder. Yes, the kids eventually get the book but it is just not the same as getting it the day the class is shopping.
We have only ever had Scholastic book fairs. In fact we have one this week. Most of our parents agree about the trinkets. Last year we were told that they have discount books but don't offer them unless you ask. We had a few books that were only 99 cents. I think the books are just too expensive. Normally the cheapest book is $4. If I'm going to pay that much I'll drive to Barnes & Noble and have a better selection. I don't care if it is a fundraiser. And I have been the fundraising coordinator for our school in the past. I think there needs to be a better balance in the books that are offered. There should be some cheaper grade level books for the kids to buy when their class visits. And there needs to be some classics, etc... that are more expensive for the parents to choose when they visit. We have also had the problem where we have beginning readers and advanced chapter books but nothing for the in-between readers. Last year my son was in 3rd grade and I couldn't find anything he would actually be able to read. Or was interested in.........if they had something in his range it was a girlie book.
