Silver Fox;129774 wrote: Just say No.
Even though they have stated they will give all profits to the Parent Group there are payoffs in the form of bottom dollar sales. While she/he would not be making a profit on the specific sales the gross $ amount would count towards their yearly sales and can affect their discout percentage ... in the end they are getting something besides advertising etc.
Again ... just say No. It's not worth the headache.

To me, this issue isn't the seller making a profit (or getting some other similar benefit). The can of worms is how many of these there are. Between Silpada and Avon and Pampered Chef and yadda, yadda, yadda -- I bet there are a dozen or two reps in your school. There may even be more than one Silpada rep. Open this can once and prepare for the onslaught...

An alternative (and it's the only way I know that works): you could put on a one-day showcase for all these guys. Or add this kind of showcase to one of your existing events. Think of it kind of like a flea market, where you own the real estate. Each vendor gets a table and two chairs and about 8X5 of floor space. You charge each vendor $100 or $200 or $400 (depends on dmeand and how much traffic you expect, etc. -- in my experience PTOs underestimate how much they should charge for these spots.) That way you take advantage of the demand $$-wise, have a nice event, and remain open to all (equal playing field).

Tim

Just say No.
Even though they have stated they will give all profits to the Parent Group there are payoffs in the form of bottom dollar sales. While she/he would not be making a profit on the specific sales the gross $ amount would count towards their yearly sales and can affect their discout percentage ... in the end they are getting something besides advertising etc.
Again ... just say No. It's not worth the headache.

Tim.. I guess I was more verbose than necessary " can of worms" would have covered it!

Can of worms...

Tim

We have a policy in our school where we won't do any fundraisers through a parent who has a home-based business.

While she says she's not getting any financial gain, which may be true, she IS getting an enormous amount of free advertising, and leads for future customers, party- hostesses and so on. It's a great way for her to expand her business.

How do you say NO to the next 20 parents who offer the same deal ?

How do you know she's a reliable businessperson?

If the party is at school, who is responsible if some of her sterling silver ( i know silpada isn't cheap) samples are stolen?

I also know that the least expensive piece ( of which there aren't many) in the Silpada catalog is about $30... does this price range fit with your school demographics?

I have heard HORROR stories about fundraisers done by individuals.. product not delivered, fights over bounced checks, the sales rep wanting the PTO to help her collect funds on bad checks,.... and so on.


what happens if she is REALLY great, and reliable.. BUT the next one who asks, isn't? How do you tactfully get out of the next one?



I would do as others suggest, which is say NO to that, but ask her if she will organize a " vendor party" where they each pay the PTO a table fee, it gets advertised to all the parents, so anyone with a home business has a fair shot at it.. and they can set up a table, you can do a raffle.. or whatever else.. and make it a " parent's night out"... or something!

I've had the same hesitations as well Sant...so what we have done is offer (for a fee) advertising in our newsletter to any and all home businesses that want to pay the fee. Then we invite businesses run by school parents to set up at our Holiday craft event to sell their goods. We provided the space and the audience with our parents that attended the Craft event and they were asked to donate a "basket" for our Family Bingo event coming in May. It was a nice compromise and we didn't feel like we were favoring anyone nor were we setting a precedent for a lot of small fundraising events. It worked for us...d