One of the things that can be the most difficult and time consuming is selling stuff. Out here our Cub Scout sells greenery as does our boy scout. Boy, that can be difficult. My BS also sells popcorn(who wants some) and mulch. Not to mention Girl scout Cookies!!!
First, competing sales for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. How do we do it? I look at it this way. My CS has a limit that they suggest, and he gets a percentage back in the form of a gift card. My oldest gets a percentage into his scout account to use towards camps. I think this is a no brainer :) My youngest does not need a gift card to spend on junk at the store. My oldest does have to learn that in order to attend an expensive camp, he has to earn money to pay for it. I dont care if you as a family make six figures or are hardly getting by.
A scout is Thrifty. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future.
Trust me, I know what a pain it is to be marching up and down the street knocking on doors asking if they want to buy things. And yes, I used to do it with one in a stroller, and one in a wagon while I followed my now BS from house to house. I would much rather be knitting. But, it is a HUGE lesson to be taught. My BS wants to go to camp..he must earn his way. And, its a great way to meet your neighbors!
Now, in our CS pack, we do require a min sold, only because last year we had to many who didn't and would up in the red. We suggested that if a scout did not sell the min amount the parents would be 'ASKED' to donate $100. I could not believe how many parents chose not to be inconvenienced by selling and just wrote a check. It was shameful. They personally didn't even buy something from their son.
Everything we do with our children is a wonderful chance to teach them something, whether they like it or not! Dont pass this opportunity up!
Now when it comes to GS cookies, that is not even a stretch. Who doesn't want GS cookies!? For some reason though, its always freezing or a blizzard when we have to start selling. One year we had to drive from house to house because the snow drifts were to high to walk through! I would love to petition to move the sales from Feb to July!
Because GS's dont have the same type reward system, outside of cookie dough, its entirely up to you if you want to share sales or just let them fend for themselves. I dont have that problem so I dont know. One of my GF's has that problem and they share sales. *shrug*
You know the worst part of selling....DELIVERING!!! When my oldest was a CS, it would take me three trips to pick up all of the greenary! AT least now we have a trailer!
Be prepared, if you have never sold before to have to eat the cost of something because someone has gone out of town for the month. Personally, we are always off on our counts. I never know why. Probably because someone pays at the time of ordering and I pocket the cash and forget what its for :)
Remember, this is a great learning experience, and teaches the kids how to talk to all different types of people, count up orders and add money for the younger kids. It teaches the older kids how to earn something they want! Yes, we have to suffer, traipsing through the cold, wet icky weather. Dragging our kids away from the computer/tv/video game. yes, its tempting to give in and not do it. But, you were doomed the day you signed him/her up for scouts :)
Happy selling!
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