We used Jim Conti Fun Services a couple of years ago. Some of the teacher were reluctant because several years before they did this with a vendor that sent the reps. It was disasterous. With Fun Services they sent us the merchindise and we set our own prices and did the shop the way we needed too. We are a low income county and we still made $1200.00 along with Breakfast With Santa and pictures. No one could believe how successful it was, the kids were so excited before hand the principal was afraid they had the wrong idea of what it was, but they didn't. We give each child $.50 coupons compliments of PTO. I didn't order enough stuff made the mistakes of doing rainchecks, that was dreadful, but it was my fault not the companies. Mr. Conti is based out of Louisville and was EXTREMELY nice. They also send bags, coin banks, worksheets, several other things too. I hope we can use them again this year.
We have also used Fun Services for as long as I can remember. We use it as a service for our students. We are a title one school. (75-80% free or reduced lunch) Yet we always raise $800.--$1100. Shopping with the students is what hooked me into pto. Anyway, we have nothing but good things to say about Fun Services.
we use Fun Services that has a location within 30 minutes from us. If we run low or out we can call and they can ship it out or we can pick it up. We also try not to do this for profit, this last year we passed out to teachers $500.00 worth of coupons to give out how they felt. One teacher gave them to the children who read the most books for the week, one class bought stuff for the nursing home, alot of teachers gave them to kids from families that couldnt afford to do it, some teachers did best test mark for the week...etc. Even with the coupons we made about $250.00, which is not our goal. You can make money if you want....we do ALOT of advertising for three weeks up to it!!
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
We used reindeer lane last year and will do it again this year. Our PTA pays the taxes on everything so that the kids don't have to remember it. Also, we don't do it for profit, just for fun... parents and kids LOVE it. We also choose the least expensive plan they offer so the kids can come in with pocket change.
We made sure last year that we would not have to keep the register online. Two years ago we went with a company where your register had to match everything, now that was a nightmare. I suggest any company you use, ask them if the register is included and is it to be used like a big calculator for convenience or will you have to back things out like at a store if a child walks up with not enough money. Uggg...
Good luck, I love working the Holiday Shop and seeing the kids eyes light up buying for their parents!
There IS money to be made. You just have to have the right vendor, the right product, the right atmosphere, and the right organizational skills. It is a bit more work than the average fundraiser, but it is also a great service, as well as an event, to bring to students and families within your community on a tight budget at Christmas time.
RUN FAST! We did Reindeer Lane and what a nightmare. Kids fought each other for money, very labor intensive, and all that for NOTHING! There is no money in these shopping "fundraisers".
Good Luck!
