We've been using SchoolPak for three years and have been satisfied with pricing, quality and packaging. We were very disappointed this year when the 1-3 grade teams decided NOT to participate by providing us with their supply lists. Only grades 4-5-6 could get them. Parents were disappointed not to be able to buy for all their kids. The higher grades had more specific things in their kits. One reason a teacher gave was that things could be purchased cheaper at home. She's asking her students for a certain amount of money and going out and buying the stuff to provide to them. We think the supply kids are a great "service" and we have had 20-25% participation. We round the prices up to the nearest dollar (making our banking simpler) With the extra money we get an extra kit per grade that the principals can distribute to a child in need. We evaluated 4-5 companies when we were considering.
We have used SchoolKidz for several years, and have been extremely happy with them. Their order forms this year were really sharp, and definitely helped increase our sales. We do this as a fundraiser, usually rounding the kits up $2 and change. Plus, after the discounts you can earn, we made about $600 this year!
I own a gift basket company, GR8 Baskets, and we do school supply kits for a reasonable price and a good fund raising return (we donate a free box with every 10 ordered so you can either sell them to kids who are new to school/did get a chance to order or you can donate them to the school so they can give them to kids who cannot afford their supplies).
Maybe you could check with other local gift basket companies in your area to see if they would be willing to do the same for you. The problem I have had with doing the supply kits in the past has usually been getting PTO information - I get queries about prices without a list of supplies (no one will quote you a price without knowing what it is) or getting the list a few days before they need it to distribute (too late to get a good printing rate).
My suggestion to PTOs trying to get supply kits: get the list of supplies first, then send it to interested vendors. I give a better price if I don't have to pay the printer 50% extra for a rush job.
I own a gift basket company, GR8 Baskets, and we do school supply kits for a reasonable price and a good fund raising return (we donate a free box with every 10 ordered so you can either sell them to kids who are new to school/did get a chance to order or you can donate them to the school so they can give them to kids who cannot afford their supplies).
Maybe you could check with other local gift basket companies in your area to see if they would be willing to do the same for you. The problem I have had with doing the supply kits in the past has usually been getting PTO information - I get queries about prices without a list of supplies (no one will quote you a price without knowing what it is) or getting the list a few days before they need it to distribute (too late to get a good printing rate).
My suggestion to PTOs trying to get supply kits: get the list of supplies first, then send it to interested vendors. I give a better price if I don't have to pay the printer 50% extra for a rush job.
Originally posted by Hoosiermom: After much frustration working on next school year's supply kits, I'm ready to check in to other companies. We've used Schoolkidz for several years. Can anyone recommend another company? And while we're at it, who offers the best prices? Thanks for your help!
We submitted our supply lists to School Tool Box and they gave us their quote for what our school lists on for their school supplies. We decided it was reasonable and decided to go with them. Our students had the opportunity to order the kit for the next school year in the spring. They actually let me add to the orders all the way into June. We even ordered a few boxes on consignment to sell at Meet the Teacher and Open House. What we don't sell, we send back. So far the customer service has been nothing but wonderful from them. This is our first year doing this.
