<p>Son was involved in a recent fundraiser. Items were promised for delivery last week. This would ensure items would be available for Thanksgiving. Were they delivered on time? No! My husband and I are so embarrassed. Son was told not to go door to door, so the reality was DH and I did the fundraising for him (this is how most students sold items). We sold these items to coworkers and friends. My DH was already asked by one customer when he would receive his order (a polite reminder on his part). We were told that the company is late in delivering this year. No kidding! I told my son that this will be the last public school fundraiser that he will participate in. There was just no appreciation or regard for those who participated. I am saddened. I cannot imagine that a company can’t deliver the items that they peddle on time! Obviously, they don’t want to stay in business very long.</p>
<p>northeastmom~</p>
<p>Gosh, I’m sorry to hear about the fundraising issue. I can imagine your discomfort and embarrassment, even though the delay had nothing to do with you personally. It’s kind of like the server in a restaurant…s/he takes the brunt of the abuse from disgruntled customers, even if the kitchen was technically at fault. I have to sheepishly admit that I have put my foot down to fundraisers, though I will always buy from others who sell. We do not have extended family around to peddle to, and if we hit up dh’s coworkers for every one, they’d run him out of the office. <em>rofl</em> Your post reminds me of what we’ve been missing all these years–and what we will continue to miss. I’ve bought too many extra sets of GS cookies to ever try fundraising again. </p>
<p>I hope that the merchandise arrives soon and that you can get it distributed and be done. ~berurah</p>
<p>I think that it will come in, but the annoying part is this was sold as coming in before Thanksgiving. People thought that they could gift these things when visiting relatives/friend for Thanksgiving dinner. Now, they need to buy again because their purchases will not be on time. This is what has me angry. They really should not have promised what they could not deliver. We have not peddled in a long time. Our son wanted us to try to sell some of this, so we went along with it, and now I deeply regret it. What a pain!</p>
<p>The only fundraising I allowed my kids to do were Scouting-related. Cookies for the daughter and mulch for the son.</p>
<p>Our fundraisers involved flat out asking for money- since IMO the things that are often peddled are overpriced and a relatively small amount actually goes towards the school.
D did sell Girl Scout cookies though</p>
<p>If the company doesn’t have physical control of the products its also possible that the delay is elsewhere. With all the problems with imports from overseas, there may be a hold up at inspection.</p>
<p>I agree with Emerald. When the overpriced junk fundraisers came home with our kids, we sent in a check. The reality is that the school ended up with more money from our donation than they did from the profits of any selling we would have done. AND we didn’t have to peddle the junk to our co-workers, friends, neighbors and relatives who ALL had the same junk to peddle (at one time or another). Just FYI…we are STILL waiting for a house flag we purchased when DD was in 6th grade (she is a college sophomore). Our order never came in and several letters were sent back. The company never sent the item, and the PTO refused to refund our money. We needed the flag which was the only reason we bought it.</p>
<p>thumper, I somehow think that you can wait forever for that flag, LOL! Actually, it is not so funny. </p>
<p>It just never occured to us that the delivery would not be on time. This has never happened before in our district, as far as I am aware anyway.</p>
<p>I mean it when I say that I will never peddle this stuff again. This was just too embarrassing.</p>
<p>I also have refused to participate in fundraisers for my daughter’s kindergarten. They are unending, and I just will give them a check at the end of the year. The PTO even discussed publicizing this as a parent option (no fundraising by/for your child–you just send in check) but that ultimately was rejected as not promoting ‘involvement’ in the elem school. Whatever!</p>
<p>That said, I just coordinated a big HS book-store fundraiser (a percentage of very purchase made at Barnes & Noble on a particular day went to HS scholarships). We had student entertainment & parents got to socialize (something HS parents don’t always have a chance to do w/other parents!).</p>
<p>That was a low (or no) cost investment & worked out great! I agree w/you, though–no go on the selling…!</p>
<p>Our high school doesn’t even bother with having students sell stuff. The PTA just flat out asks parents to donate money every year. I guess I would rather donate the cash and know it all goes to the school rather than part of it for some fancy choclates or wrapping paper. the football team is a different story…S has had to sell stuff for the team every year. It’s usually those discount cards that can be handed over to the purchaser right away.</p>