I have been researching catalog companies all year after our last catalog company really took a dive. This years Sept 2002 company was terrible. Because I had only been the President for a half a year last year I decided to just use the same company figuring I would be safe they would be ok since they were used last year. Wish I could have had Hind sight. Anyway. I have looked at over 30 catalog companies catalog. And talked with more than that over the phone and in person. My biggest selling points were.
1. Prize progam for the kids. If there isnt one do not use the company. And look to see if it is tendered for not just elementary in prize types but if you have a high school to make sure that they are not getting "baby prizes".
2. Quality of the companies products. Ask for a "free sample" If they do not give "free samples" do not use the company. Ask to look at last years catalog along with this years catalog to compare if the company used items from last year in this years catalog it means they had lots of "Leftovers".
3. Ask for references. If they had Thank you letters they will be most willing to send them to you. You can find out by calling them if they are local (to save on long-distance) and see how they rated.
4. Look for and take advice from folks on here. They know from past experiences who is and who isnt a quality company.
This next year Sept 2003 I am using 2 different catalog companies. One for my elementary and One for my middle school. Mainly because the prize program was not tendered for the Middle school age in the Elementary Company. If it had been I would have used One company. I will post in the results in the fall. Oh and the free samples we use as door prizes during out Open House Night/Ice Cream Social at the school.