Discover a Delicious Way to Raise Funds with Our Cookbook Fundraiser!

[LibrarianChef]

The customer must clearly understand the cost of the cookbook is being offered at $10.00 as a September guest special. They must also see their shipping charge and the exact amount of sales tax they are paying. In other words, they must be aware of how the total charge is broken down... As with Cooking Shows, or any other order type, the Home Office does not condone combining orders... we are allowing the sale of products to an organization as long as the retail price, tax and shipping are clearly communicated and a receipt is given to each customer.

Thanks for sharing your written response from HO, Stacey. I'm impressed that a normal rep had the guts to finally put it in writing! They must have felt confident that their response was in line with company policy. That's the exact same response I've gotten every time I've spoken to someone higher up. And it's the same thing that the policy states for shows/fundraisers. It's nice to see HO reps getting on the same page. My account is flagged as the person who wrote in about this fundraiser way-back-when (with those 9 steps that we discussed on here a couple weeks ago). So when I call in they say, "Oh, we see that you wrote in a detailed email about a possible cookbook fundraiser outlining the details and our head manager called you twice and told you...." So I'm like, "That's correct, and I'm back with more questions. Is the manager in? I'd love to speak with her again, if so." I hope to never have to call in about this again.

Let me know if there is anything that needs to be changed or you think should be changed.
Thanks

Stacey, your intro letter looks nice. The only part I might change is "These are full-size, full-color, spiral-bound cookbooks that are sold through our consultants at a price of $16 each" to say they are "normally sold through our consultants at a price of $14.75 + $4.00 shipping and ___% tax each." My intro letter is very similar, just made short enough to fit on one page.

Obviously, for this fundraiser, each of us would be charging different donation prices depending on what the organization wanted. IF the one organization that I sent all of my paperwork to decides they want to do this then I would likely "suggest" $18 for the first cookbook and $15 for every additional one so that it encourages each person to get more than 1 for the discounted price after the first. It's amazing how that incentive works. That way, if a bunch of people only buy 1 cookbook a piece, they still get individual shipping per HO policy and the organization still gets a nice profit even if one cookbook is sold per person. I'm actually MUCH more comfortable with having an official receipt for each person. If I was going to combine orders that would have been a ton of copying and separating and writing out individual donation amounts, etc. It was getting WAY too complicated for me and it didn't feel right. :yuck:

I really liked your cheat sheet. It's so pleasing to the eyes!

 

[PCwithStay-C]

Is any one able to make up the flyers with cookbook pictures similar to the original one posted at the beginning of the thread? I just need to make it clear about the $10 cost with "optional" additional donation.

Ellen, which flyer are you talking about? can you post it. I dont think the flyers need to have that information about how much the donations are. Just the order forms.

 

[LibrarianChef]

Ellen, which flyer are you talking about? can you post it. I dont think the flyers need to have that information about how much the donations are. Just the order forms.

That's what I understood, too. Just the order forms and receipts.

 

[PCwithStay-C]

Thanks for sharing your written response from HO, Stacey. I'm impressed that a normal rep had the guts to finally put it in writing! They must have felt confident that their response was in line with company policy. That's the exact same response I've gotten every time I've spoken to someone higher up. And it's the same thing that the policy states for shows/fundraisers. It's nice to see HO reps getting on the same page. My account is flagged as the person who wrote in about this fundraiser way-back-when (with those 9 steps that we discussed on here a couple weeks ago). So when I call in they say, "Oh, we see that you wrote in a detailed email about a possible cookbook fundraiser outlining the details and our head manager called you twice and told you...." So I'm like, "That's correct, and I'm back with more questions. Is the manager in? I'd love to speak with her again, if so." I hope to never have to call in about this again.

Yeah Im glad I got such a well written responst. It made my decision on whether or not to go ahead with this idea alot easier.

Stacey, your intro letter looks nice. The only part I might change is "These are full-size, full-color, spiral-bound cookbooks that are sold through our consultants at a price of $16 each" to say they are "normally sold through our consultants at a price of $14.75 + $4.00 shipping and ___% tax each." My intro letter is very similar, just made short enough to fit on one page.

OK how you have it makes more sense. The original letter had something like that but it made it sound like the fundraiser would sell them for that amount. I couldnt figure out how to make it sound like you wrote it

Obviously, for this fundraiser, each of us would be charging different donation prices depending on what the organization wanted. IF the one organization that I sent all of my paperwork to decides they want to do this then I would likely "suggest" $18 for the first cookbook and $15 for every additional one so that it encourages each person to get more than 1 for the discounted price after the first. It's amazing how that incentive works. That way, if a bunch of people only buy 1 cookbook a piece, they still get individual shipping per HO policy and the organization still gets a nice profit even if one cookbook is sold per person. I'm actually MUCH more comfortable with having an official receipt for each person. If I was going to combine orders that would have been a ton of copying and separating and writing out individual donation amounts, etc. It was getting WAY too complicated for me and it didn't feel right. :yuck:

I LOVE the higher price for the first cookbook idea! That is a great idea.

I really liked your cheat sheet. It's so pleasing to the eyes!

Thanks

OK so I made some adjustments to what I had. I will delete the old ones and put the new ones up.

I will also work on a flyer this afternoon.

 

[smilesarepriceless]

So if you go to an organization (let's say a school..and a class of 15 children were collecting orders, and that one child got 8 people to place an order...That 1 child, would submit 1 order form w/ the total amounts of cookbooks, with 1 $4 shipping charge/tax, etc..then that 1 child would distribute the books..Is that correct?

 

[chefmeg]

Help!just returned from vacation and need to cut to the chase!!! Can we do this fundraiser or not? TIA

 

[PCwithStay-C]

So if you go to an organization (let's say a school..and a class of 15 children were collecting orders, and that one child got 8 people to place an order...That 1 child, would submit 1 order form w/ the total amounts of cookbooks, with 1 $4 shipping charge/tax, etc..then that 1 child would distribute the books..Is that correct?

Heather, no, well at least that is not how I will be doing it. Others may have other opinions. This is how I will be doing it.

You have a child collecting orders. This child collects 8 orders. Each person who places an order receives their own order form and pays their own shipping. All orders are shipped to the organisation (say a school), that is why each person only pays $4, since you are shipping to the 'Host' Then the school will distribute the cookbooks to the child to distribute to the people who ordered from them.

I hope this makes sense.:balloon:

 

[LibrarianChef]

So if you go to an organization (let's say a school..and a class of 15 children were collecting orders, and that one child got 8 people to place an order...That 1 child, would submit 1 order form w/ the total amounts of cookbooks, with 1 $4 shipping charge/tax, etc..then that 1 child would distribute the books..Is that correct?

No, initially we were hoping we could do it that way, but policy states otherwise. We have to treat this fundraiser like any other show. Every customer must have an official TPC receipt and every single customer must pay the $4 shipping for their own order. Then we must have on every receipt the breakdown of what they're paying for (i.e. actual cost of cookbook $10, shipping $4, tax _____, donation to organization ____). Each fundraiser show will have a large number of orders for just one cookbook. This is one reason why some are doing the $18 for first cookbook and $15 for any additional cookbooks. $18 is still less than what they would pay for a $14.75 + $4 + tax cookbook at a show and it still allows the organization to get a nice profit and distribute official front/back receipts for every customer.

 

[PCwithStay-C]

just returned from vacation and need to cut to the chase!!! Can we do this fundraiser or not? TIA

Yes you can do it. If you go back and read just the last 2 pages you will get all the answers you need and some forms and letters to use.

 

[PCwithStay-C]

No, initially we were hoping we could do it that way, but policy states otherwise. We have to treat this fundraiser like any other show. Every customer must have an official TPC receipt and every single customer must pay the $4 shipping for their own order. Then we must have on every receipt the breakdown of what they're paying for (i.e. actual cost of cookbook $10, shipping $4, tax _____, donation to organization ____). Each fundraiser show will have a large number of orders for just one cookbook. This is one reason why some are doing the $18 for first cookbook and $15 for any additional cookbooks. $18 is still less than what they would pay for a $14.75 + $4 + tax cookbook at a show and it still allows the organization to get a nice profit and distribute official front/back receipts for every customer.

Im always too slow

 

[LibrarianChef]

Im always too slow

Heehee! Actually, you beat me to the answer. GMTA!!!

I can't tell you how relieved I was to see your written response from HO since it's the same thing I had been told all along (I made my questions on the phone and in email very specific--just like you did). After all of the confusion on this thread I wasn't going to do this FR at all until your written response pointing back to policy. Now I can go into this fully confident in HO expectations. And we'll all now have a TON of new customers on our lists with addresses/phone numbers to do customer care calls to (not student names and numbers ). That opens up a lot of new doors for shows and new recruits. YIPPEE! :thumbup:

 

[PCwithStay-C]

Heehee! Actually, you beat me to the answer. GMTA!!!

I can't tell you how relieved I was to see your written response from HO since it's the same thing I had been told all along (I made my questions on the phone and in email very specific--just like you did). After all of the confusion on this thread I wasn't going to do this FR at all until your written response pointing back to policy. Now I can go into this fully confident in HO expectations. And we'll all now have a TON of new customers on our lists with addresses/phone numbers to do customer care calls to (not student names and numbers ). That opens up a lot of new doors for shows and new recruits. YIPPEE! :thumbup:

Your welcome As much as everyone was like 'just call and get an answer' Im more of a paper girl. I need to have everything written out in front of me to be able to understand it. It just made more sense when put I typed it out and I guess it made alot of other people understand exactly what HO was saying we could and couldnt do.
I know its hard to really want to do something that could be so successful like this but not want to break policy.
And the point that everyone who orders has to have a receipt, all I have to say is BRING ON THE BUSINESS BABY!!! LOL :thumbup:

 

[LibrarianChef]

Your welcome As much as everyone was like 'just call and get an answer' Im more of a paper girl. I need to have everything written out in front of me to be able to understand it. It just made more sense when put I typed it out and I guess it made alot of other people understand exactly what HO was saying we could and couldnt do.
I know its hard to really want to do something that could be so successful like this but not want to break policy.

I hear you. I emailed in the questions at the following post: http://www.chefsuccess.com/273762-post88.html and they wouldn't respond in writing. They called me to outline the details and walk through the questions carefully. I specifically asked the manager for something in writing. She said no. :grumpy: From what she shared with me, I thought reps couldn't give us a response in writing. So imagine my shock when a regular rep sent a response to you.

And the point that everyone who orders has to have a receipt, all I have to say is BRING ON THE BUSINESS BABY!!! LOL

AMEN! And you know what, this would be a really good time to do customer care calls to see how they liked their cookbooks. And since so many PC products are mentioned and shown in these cookbooks, it would work well to ask if they'd like to earn these products in free dollars, half-priced items, or discounted prices by hosting a show.

 

[PCwithStay-C]

Oh yeah, I forgot that you said that they wouldnt email you a response! I guess there has been alot of crossed wires and mixed messages. But like you said in another post, as long as your following procedures then HO should have no reason to not let these fundraisers go forward.OMG Can you imagine if you had an imcredibly huge show!?!?!?! Sooo many leads and sooo many phone calls!! Could definately make PC a full time gig then

 

[minersmix]

I have been trying to keep up with the final outcome of the cookbook fundraiser but I am still confused. So will this be considered a fundraiser with 15% going to the organization or will it strictly be the difference of sale-actual cost from PC? I know many of you have spelled it out but would you mind one more time please. Also our tax rate is 7.75% that will have an affect on the proceeds. Actually could you give me an example using my tax rate? Not just newbie but blonde newbie. Thank you.

 

[PCwithStay-C]

I have been trying to keep up with the final outcome of the cookbook fundraiser but I am still confused. So will this be considered a fundraiser with 15% going to the organization or will it strictly be the difference of sale-actual cost from PC? I know many of you have spelled it out but would you mind one more time please. Also our tax rate is 7.75% that will have an affect on the proceeds. Actually could you give me an example using my tax rate? Not just newbie but blonde newbie. Thank you.

Yes you can do the fundraiser. You may still want to call HO and just be sure to be on the record so that they dont turn around when your placing your order and say that you cant do it!! Cause that would suck!!

It will be the same as a regular fundraiser. The organisation will get the following
- the 10 - 15% depending on the sales amounts
- the donation from the difference in the cookbook prices.

I added the excel sheet that you can use to figure out your totals and number. I have mine with a sale price for the cookbooks at $15. you can change taht if you want. Then just change the tax and it will figure it all out for you.

Let me know if this all makes sense. If not I can try and re-explain...or have LibrarianChef do it!!!

Which part of NY are you in? I forgot taht NY tax is different to CT. I live on teh CT NY border and was actually going to offer this to some NY organisations, so I better remember to change that!!

 

[minersmix]

I live up almost as far North as you can go. We border Vermont and Canada. Depending on where you live in NY the tax rate may be different as well. Actually at work I have a chart for the county tax rates if you are interested I can get that for you.

 

[minersmix]

I live up almost as far North as you can go. We border Vermont and Canada. Depending on where you live in NY the tax rate may be different as well. Actually at work I have a chart for the county tax rates if you are interested I can get that for you.

 

[PCwithStay-C]

ohhh your in cold country that would be cool if you could get the chart. I would appreciate it, thanks

 

[minersmix]

no problem. I will check back later.

 

[KRISTI'SCOOKING]

Yes you can do the fundraiser. You may still want to call HO and just be sure to be on the record so that they dont turn around when your placing your order and say that you cant do it!! Cause that would suck!!

It will be the same as a regular fundraiser. The organisation will get the following
- the 10 - 15% depending on the sales amounts
- the donation from the difference in the cookbook prices.

I added the excel sheet that you can use to figure out your totals and number. I have mine with a sale price for the cookbooks at $15. you can change taht if you want. Then just change the tax and it will figure it all out for you.

Let me know if this all makes sense. If not I can try and re-explain...or have LibrarianChef do it!!!

Which part of NY are you in? I forgot taht NY tax is different to CT. I live on teh CT NY border and was actually going to offer this to some NY organisations, so I better remember to change that!!

I do not have winzip. Can you/ will you repost in another format, please? Kristi

 

[PCwithStay-C]

I do not have winzip. Can you/ will you repost in another format, please? Kristi

Hold on...Ill see if i can

 

[tlennhoff]

I do not have winzip. Can you/ will you repost in another format, please? Kristi

The problem is that excel files cannot be posted to the forum. If you email her she should be able to email you the excel file used.

 

[PCwithStay-C]

OK I cant attach the XL spreadsheet. If anyone wants if email me and I will send it.

[email protected]

 

[PCwithStay-C]

haha thanks Tasha guess I should of asked before spending 10mins trying to do it

 

[KRISTI'SCOOKING]

I just emailed you Stacey.
THANK YOU!
Kristi

 

[Christ Follower]

Yeah Im glad I got such a well written responst. It made my decision on whether or not to go ahead with this idea alot easier.



OK how you have it makes more sense. The original letter had something like that but it made it sound like the fundraiser would sell them for that amount. I couldnt figure out how to make it sound like you wrote it


I LOVE the higher price for the first cookbook idea! That is a great idea.

Thanks

OK so I made some adjustments to what I had. I will delete the old ones and put the new ones up.

I will also work on a flyer this afternoon.

So, how does the order form work if it say's cookbooks $16 but on the line it says $10? I'm just confused on how to explain it to a customer of the fundraisr. Do they need to put the differece in the "donation" box?

 

[LibrarianChef]

So, how does the order form work if it say's cookbooks $16 but on the line it says $10? I'm just confused on how to explain it to a customer of the fundraisr. Do they need to put the differece in the "donation" box?

I think everyone is doing it a little bit different on the order form. On my original order form I had "$10 + $6 shipping/tax/donation" where the price blank was by each book (or something like that). We have to make sure that somewhere on the order form that we give the real price of each cookbook ($10) and then the official PC receipts given to each person must give a more specific breakdown of their $4 shipping costs, their tax on the cookbook and shipping, and their donation amount for tax write-off purposes. So at the top of my form I explain that the FIRST cookbook is $10 + $8 which includes their shipping/handling, tax, and donation and that every cookbook after the first one is at a discounted price of $15. I will also make mention that every person will receive an individual receipt for their 1 year warranty and tax deduction for the 2007 tax season.

You know what? Can you imagine how crazy this would be if we had to do these receipts while combining/collapsing several orders?! How would you tell each person on an official receipt how much they paid in shipping and shipping taxes? Would you take the $4 and divide it by how many people were on that form and then add in the tax for each different amount? That would be crazy!

 

[LibrarianChef]

So, how does the order form work if it say's cookbooks $16 but on the line it says $10? I'm just confused on how to explain it to a customer of the fundraisr. Do they need to put the differece in the "donation" box?

I think everyone is doing it a little bit different on the order form. On my original order form I had "$10 + $6 shipping/tax/donation" where the price blank was by each book (or something like that). We have to make sure that somewhere on the order form that we give the real price of each cookbook ($10) and then the official PC receipts given to each person must give a more specific breakdown of their $4 shipping costs, their tax on the cookbook and shipping, and their donation amount for tax write-off purposes. So at the top of my form I explain that the FIRST cookbook is $10 + $8 which includes their shipping/handling, tax, and donation and that every cookbook after the first one is at a discounted price of $15. I will also make mention that every person will receive an individual receipt for their 1 year warranty and tax deduction for the 2007 tax season.

You know what? Can you imagine how crazy this would be if we had to do these receipts while combining/collapsing several orders?! How would you tell each person on an official receipt how much they paid in shipping and shipping taxes? Would you take the $4 and divide it by how many people were on that form and then add in the tax for each different amount? That would be crazy!

 

[abrahamlaur]

i'm just worried about having enough ink/paper to print all the receipts LOL