Have you tried marketing the bumper magnets to people other than parents? If they don't specifically say "parent" on them, couldn't grandparents display them? Especially in conjuntion with a grandparents day event (if your school has one). Also, perhaps staff might want to show their support by displaying one. Be sure to have the magnets on hand at EVERY school event. We have a stack set up at every PTO meeting, DARE graduation, you name it!
If you are just getting started, find a company that sells on consignment and takes returns. We did this our first year out and paid for only what was sold.
Same thing here. We sold magnetic car flags. Cost $2 and sold for $5. We only ordered 200 and I think after 2 years I still have a box somewhere. These were something that ANYONE could have used. We recouped our investment (barely). You might want to try paying the debt and later in the year have an end of the year close-out on them and some other items you may have. Drop the price to say $3?? Good luck.
We experienced a similar situation a few years ago with cling-on bumper sticker type logos. They sell really well at the high school and college levels and even for youth sports teams, but we lost money on that venture at the elementary level. I think it's a "sports team" mentality that buys and sports those. We dropped the price to just 25 cents above cost to re-coup our investment and then ended up giving them away with Citizenship Awards and in new staff goodie bags, etc.
We ordered 1000 logo magnets. We have 500 kids and we thought 2 per family. They stick onto your car. We owe the company 1600 still. They only cost 1.99 and we are selling them for $5.00 each. We have about 700 left and I don't know what to do. We are brand new PTO with no money. Any ideas? :confused: