How can you save time? We call our company they deliver it. That's saving time. Time is money. I would absolutely go insane( I couldn't say CRAZY cause I'm already there.) If I had to pick out 500 to 1000 pieces at the dollar store.
We have tried the $ store. I didn't work for us, even charging 1.25 to 1.50. Parents were upset that they paid 25 % more than at the dollar store. Also, we are in a low income area, some children more than you think would come in and have to buy for 4 or 5 people with only a dollar or 2. The companies that provide shops know this and our company gives us items down to .25 and told us we could special order down to .10 if needed.
The catalogs are giving you low prices, but they don't give you any service and no value. We have a big catalog company in Indianapolis, we had a problem with a few years ago and the manager pretty much told me he wasn't concerned that I wouldn't buy anything ever again, they had more customers than they knew what to do with.
Packaging, doesn't compare. Our company replaces items even if they are broke a week after the sale. We had one parent break something more than 6 months after the sale. He called to ask my wife how he could buy another one. WE called our supplier, it was at the guys house that week, with no bill inside.
There are to many more important things in our childrens lives than to be spending all that time trying to save pennies. I wouldn't plan a major Fundraising program with out a professional company. There are to many details. That are over looked. Do your catalogs still have a restocking fee. Our supplier takes everything back. Do your catalogs sell the bags and flyers and envelopes and table clothes?
How much money do you have sitting in your storage closet? Make sure to clean that out often. I had to do that once about 7 years ago. I threw away stuff that couldn't be sold, probably 8 to 15 years old.
With our company we make about $15.00 to 20.00 per volunteer hour. What do you make? What is your sale?
This forum is for sharing so here are our numbers.
450 students
total sale $4200.
total profit $850 to $1125.
2.5 days
5 hours a day
4 volunteers per day
plus 2 hours set up and 1 down.
Our program the first year (3 years with this company) was only $2700. Parents like the product and send more money every year. It gets bigger.
Will you take into consideration the cost of gas? We just call up the company and they deliver.
I would love to see what kind of numbers you have for your school. Total profit,sales, and profit/volunteer hour.
A Few tips about buying from the dollar stores:
Start with the store manager. Make sure they understand what you are doing, and that you need all the assistance they can offer, because you're not a retailer, you're a PARENT trying to get the job done, and you want to spend a big chunk of your $$ at their store.
1. Buy half of what you think you need of each item; look to see if you can come back and restock if necessary.
2. Most Dollar Stores don't do "returns", but they do "exchanges". Take slower sellers back and trade for the items that sold out, or trade for items needed at your NEXT event after your santa shop closes.
3. Want a specific key item? - Find the manager and order it by the case if necessary.
4. Dealing with an independent (not Dollar Tree) dollar store? Ask for a discount with the purchase of 500 or 1000 items (90-95 cents each, no sales tax (take your forms) or similar. Works best if they can order your items in advance; They pay 50-65 cents per item (average), so it's easy $$ for them!
These tips have helped save me tons of $$ and time when shopping for our PTA.
We were going to go with a company but were just told that we would have to pay a % to the school for selling on school property. SO we decided to go with our local dollar store as well. Our biggest problem is being able to return what doesn't sell. I am hoping they will let us. The other is finding items for Men. It seems they are a hard market to buy for!
We are trying the Dollar Tree this year. Everything will be $1.50, so hopefully, no child will feel left out. Santa Shop for us is more of a service for our kids than a fundraiser.
As the santa shop chairperson this year, I have had the opportunity to look at several different programs provided by outside companies and the primary impression I received from them was that the "wholesale" prices that they charge leave absolutely no room for a markup (if used as a fund-raiser) without gouging your students.
Also, carefully read the contracts before you sign. Most carry a clause that states that you cannot offer any products at the shop other than what is provided by their company.
I have found several national companies that provide items suitable for a santa shop, most of them offer 10-30 day net payment terms to schools and PTA/PTO's, so that you can pay for your items after your shop has ended (great if you have a limited budget). A couple of them have full web access for ease in ordering. The wholesale prices at these sites are 50-75% less than prices at the santa shop companies, and you have total control over prices, quality, selection, etc.
Combine items from these sources with a trip to the dollar store (and/or donations or purchases from local merchants), create a selection of 100 items and you have built a santa shop!
If you want a list of these companies, email me for the details.
Yes, I left off the Fun Services. You don't even have to raise the prices on them if you would like to offer it the children without it being a fundraiser. I don't know if that works or not according to the rules you have to go by.
As far as ordering, since we agreed we liked what they ordered, they ask how many kids we have and sent us as much as they thought we needed. I had time to ask for more stuff but I didn't think we needed it. Boy was I ever wrong!
[ 11-08-2003, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: C. Brooks ]
