I'd also like to offer a caveat about comparing profit percentages between schools. Make sure everything else -- and there are lots variables -- is exactly the same before using that comparison.

An example may be helpful:

School 1

Same catalog cover, items priced 5% higher, has been working with this same FR company for 7 years with high sales numbers, gets a very elaborate prize program and kick-off party thrown in.

School 2

Same catalog cover, items priced 5% lower, new to this fundraising company and a smaller school with less sales potential, skips prize program but does get the big kick-off event.

In those two examples, I didn't include profit % or total sales or profit. I did that to show how many other variables go into this.

Some examples:
** Higher prices might lead to fewer sales but allow for a higher profit percentage to be offered. I've seen schools demand more tha 50% profit and therefore get higher prices in the catalog and -- in the end -- get less profit (because fewer items were sold)

** FR company might be willing to throw in the kick-off party for nothing for school #1 which has a track record of high total sales. Or the FR company might be willing to go to 52% profit because history shows this school to be a high performer. Would be a big risk to offer the same to school #2.

** Prize programs can be of many types and be paid for out of sales or be thrown in by the FR company or etc. Big variable.

I covered this in a recent column:

www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...ore-than-just-profit

I hope it's a helpful perspective.

Tim

I just wanted to respond to the point about the product pricing. Ultimately, most fundraising companies get their products from a small group of product suppliers...that's why when you look around you see a lot of the same products and pricing.

One of the hardest parts about this business is differentiating between the companies. If anyone has any suggestions on the kinds of products that you would want offered, make your voice heard to the fundraising company you work with.

Definitely my recommendation is to just make sure the profit charts are clearly outlined before the order. You may also be able to negotiate a higher profit percentage if you don't use the "canned" prize program. You'd probably be able to put together a better one on your own anyway, and with some leg work you should be able to get local merchants to donate some items.

Hope that helps

Happy Camper,

I appreciate your willingness to help, but our fundraising chairperson has already spoken to kids first. To clarify: they did not give us less profit than agreed upon. We were the ones that were duped. I did not catch this clearly at the time of the meeting, but their profit structure is weird. Apparently (if I remember correctly) they give 45% on some things and up to 55% on others. It sounded great, but the reality was that the actual profit we made did not average out to 50% like we thought... it was less than 50%. The person in charge of fundraising didn't think this through and it is like politics to get anything done around here. Friends let friends run fundraisers when they have not proven themselves in other areas of responsibility.

Regarding the numbers... yes we are sure. Our Treasurer was so upset, she made copies of the paperwork and showed us at a meeting. She was previously the fundraising person several years back so I think that is why she was so upset.

Did you get 50% profit this past fall with them? Do they give better percentages to some schools?

FT PTo MOM,

I would love for you to tell us what school you are with. We have used West Coast for years, and I find it hard to understand your profit comments. Have you really looked at your numbers? I am not saying that you are not right, but if you really did not get what you were promised, I think you should speak out and let them know. I am sure they would make sure you are happy. They have always done our school right. You can email me, and I will call them for you if you are uncomfortable. My email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I think there must be something going on. I am with a pta region board, and I really think you should look into this. So Please send me a note, and I will call our rep. He has been just great. I hate it when schools do not get what they were told. We all need to work together to keep all of these fundraising companies in check.

Dad, (LOL)

I agree that prices could be lower if schools (like ours) would not demand such a large percentage. My husband is also on the board and we both would like to try and find a company that offers lower prices... even if it means less profit. That was not the case with west Coast. Their pricing was the same if not higher on the exact same items in my daughter's brochure (middle school - different company).

Does anyone know of a company that offers low prices? They all look basically the same to me.

FT PTO MOM,

I am not defending West Coast or anyone else, but perhaps your percentage per item was less because the retail price had been lowered. Maybe you sold more due to lower prices. What would you prefer to buy as a customer---a box of candy priced at $11 or the same box of candy priced at $8. Perhaps you may pass on the $11 box, but think, okay I can give $8 and get a nice box of candy. I also bet if you bought the $8 box, you did not feel ripped off. Would you rather have your school make 40% of the $8 box that actually sold, or 50% of an $11 box that no one bought? Percentage of profit does not equate into how much money you make---never did and never will!