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

[LibrarianChef]

Commission on fundraisers is 15% or 17%, depending on whether you've reached $15k career sales.

Thanks, Ann!!!!

No, I haven't heard back, yet, but I just want to type out what I'm understanding so that if/when they call, I can properly respond to policy concerns. Last time I emailed in a detailed question, a supervisor called me back. I want to be ready this time. Let me know if I'm missing an important point from what all of you have shared.

1) The cookbooks which are normally $14.75 are on special this September for $10. The consultant lets the non-profit group know of the special offer and allows them to set a price including the $10 plus a donated amount (for example, to simplify things, the group may say that each cookbook is $15 which includes each person's shipping, tax, and a donation to the non-profit organization). If someone ordered 4 cookbooks then the extra shipping per book would, of course, be their donated amount.

2) The fundraiser would need to start in the last few days of September (or even the very last day) for it to qualify as a September fundraiser, but it would need to mainly be in the month of October and submitted before the end of October. This way, anyone who went to a cooking show in October during the fundraiser (or even to the main pampered chef website) would see the price of the cookbooks still as $14.75 + $4/$6 shipping + tax. Therefore, they wouldn't be confused over pricing difference or worried about price mark-up). In other words, there's no way they could get the books any cheaper from the company in October. And by submitting our shows before October 31st, the show would still qualify as a September show since they started in the last day or two of September.

3) The organization must indicate on the order forms that part of the total cost is a donation to their group so that there are no questions on price and no "price hiking" or "price mark up" concerns. The cost will, inevitably, include a donation to their group. This is obvious in most fundraisers as the buyer knows they group is making some sort of profit, but by openly stating the included "donation" they're making absolutely sure that the customer KNOWS this.

4) Only cookbooks will be offered in this fundraiser because it 1) limits the number of items to look at by large numbers of people, 2) limits the number of full catalogs to be circulating, and 3) limits the money amounts we're working with ( i.e. $15 X 6 is easier for children and parents to work with than lots of different numbers and tax brackets).

5) All checks/cash is given to the non-profit organization by the guests/donors and the non-profit company submits a final check to the consultant for the total plus shipping/tax while the consultant pays for the entire show on their PC debit card. They get most of their profit immediately.

6) If the show reaches at least $600 (at $15 per cookbook that equates to $900) then the group will also receive $1.50 for every cookbook sold (15% of the regular $10 cost or 10% of the $15 cost). Then the consultant may opt to throw in their own commission and receive a tax deduction receipt.

7) Another suggestion to help promote Pampered Chef cooking shows was for the consultant to throw in $3 per cooking show booked from the fundraiser (if the show is held within 6-8 months of the fundraiser).

8) Although cookbooks are the main focus of this fundraiser, guests/donors might also be asked if they'd like to see a PC catalog or visit the main website. Members of the fundraiser group could also be encouraged to peruse the regular Fall catalog and add it to this fundraiser since 15% of it would come back to their group.

That's all I have...anything else?

The only two things people heard from HO in the past when asking about this was 1) You can't mark-up a price -- which (a) doing this in October and (b) telling them it's a partial donation should fix -- and 2) You can't only sell the guest special -- so we'd encourage the fundraising group to purchase other items since 15% of those sales would also come back to them. Either way, it appears both of the HO concerns have been properly remedied in the numbered items above. I'm VERY eager to hear back on this!!!!

 

[chefann]

#7 is thrown in from HO on all bookings on fundraisers already. We dont have to do this ourselves.

Otherwise, very thorough. Thanks!

 

[BethCooks4U]

7) Another suggestion to help promote Pampered Chef cooking shows was for the consultant to throw in $3 per cooking show booked from the fundraiser (if the show is held within 6-8 months of the fundraiser).

Why are you saying the booking can be held within 6-8 months of the fundraiser? What am I missing?

They only count if it's within 6 months of the show date which in your example is September so actually 5 months from when these people are placing their orders.


I believe that PC will reject this idea. Anything that has to be thought out so much is not usually accepted. Sounds like we are trying to get by with something here. I know the thought is to help an organization get more money but I don't see PC going along with it.

When I first saw this idea I thought "how clever! I need to do this too" but the more I think about it the more I feel it is not going to be approved.

Hope I'm wrong.

 

[cmdtrgd]

I did email HO on what to do if I wanted a large quantity of one product and here was their response:Thank you for contacting The Pampered Chef. It is considered a large quantity order when one customer orders more than 50 of any one item. If this occurs you must contact the Solution Center with the total quantity of the item requested, state the intended use for these items and the address where the items are to be shipped. Once we have this information we will be able to better assist you.So, it seems to me that there wouldn't be a problem if we put 10 cookbooks on each order. For example, tax here is 6%. $10 cookbook = $0.60 tax. $15 per cookbook = $10 cost + $0.60 tax + $0.40 shipping + $4 donation. 10 cookbooks on each order would cover the $4 shipping and HO isn't out a bunch of shipping costs.

 

[LibrarianChef]

#7 is thrown in from HO on all bookings on fundraisers already. We dont have to do this ourselves.

Otherwise, very thorough. Thanks!

Ah ha! I didn't understand that suggestion originally. I thought consultants were donating $3 to the non-profit organization out of the goodness of their heart. I would!!

Why are you saying the booking can be held within 6-8 months of the fundraiser? What am I missing?

They only count if it's within 6 months of the show date which in your example is September so actually 5 months from when these people are placing their orders.

Beth, see above. Just call me a newbie. I was just going to donate the funds to my particular charity group once the show went through. I didn't even realize that TPC already donated $3 per booking. I'm still in my first 90 days here.

When I first saw this idea I thought "how clever! I need to do this too" but the more I think about it the more I feel it is not going to be approved.

You're not alone. I think we all feel they won't like it and may swiftly put their foot down. Maybe because they fear that the public will always expect such a high rate of return in the future or maybe because it wasn't their own idea/intention or for some other reason we aren't yet aware of with our limited view of the BIG picture.

At this point, I think the only thing this idea really has going for it is the snowball effect that has already been put in motion. Directors have notified their clusters of the idea and consultants/directors have already started this fundraiser process by offering it to a variety of organizations (once they truly felt it wasn't breaking any policies). HO may be getting emails and calls asking permission to do the same thing. Depending on how far the news has spread since the September specials were released, they could possibly even be hearing from organizations asking how they can get in on this new cookbook fundraiser idea. They know that all they have to do is say "no" to stop all of the excitement. As crazy as it sounds, that snowball effect could be the only reason to allow this. That's why I sorta hope I'm not the only one who sent in a careful explanation (with questions) to the solution center or field services or to our uplines, etc. Actually, I *know* I'm not the only one who sent it in to HO because another personal friend of mine (from my own cluster) told me that she did the same thing and is waiting for a response.

 

[janetupnorth]

You're not alone. I think we all feel they won't like it and may swiftly put their foot down. Maybe because they fear that the public will always expect such a high rate of return in the future or maybe because it wasn't their own idea/intention or for some other reason we aren't yet aware of with our limited view of the BIG picture.

At this point, I think the only thing this idea really has going for it is the snowball effect that has already been put in motion. Directors have notified their clusters of the idea and consultants/directors have already started this fundraiser process by offering it to a variety of organizations (once they truly felt it wasn't breaking any policies). HO may be getting emails and calls asking permission to do the same thing. Depending on how far the news has spread since the September specials were released, they could possibly even be hearing from organizations asking how they can get in on this new cookbook fundraiser idea. They know that all they have to do is say "no" to stop all of the excitement. As crazy as it sounds, that snowball effect could be the only reason to allow this. That's why I sorta hope I'm not the only one who sent in a careful explanation (with questions) to the solution center or field services or to our uplines, etc. Actually, I *know* I'm not the only one who sent it in to HO because another personal friend of mine (from my own cluster) told me that she did the same thing and is waiting for a response.

The only thing I hate about this is that only the "honest" people can't do it. Many will sneak small ones past HO or be creative in their submissions or say "my director told me so" and they won't catch everyone if they deny it...

 

[chef_kimmo]

Name Tags at Confernece

Very interesting - especially considering my PWS address is /cookinwithbecky. That was one of the reasons I wanted my info changed on all my info at HO.......funny thing is though, at NC, my name in small letters was "Becky", but the large name on my nametag STILL said "Rebecca"!

momentary highjack

Becky,

At every conference I have filled in Kim on the "preferred name" spot on my registration form to see on my name KIMBERLY instead of Kim on my name tag. Now, don't get me wrong it is my name but I am used to being called Kim. The first time, I thought had put it on the "preferred name" spot. The next time I paid attention and know I did it and every time afterward.

At every conference, I have gone back to the registration line and they changed it to Kim on the name tag.

Anyway, at National Conference this year, I went to the registration booth to have them change my name on my name tag and she showed me on the computer where she was changing it to Kim in a section that was titled "preferred name" and she told me I shouldn't have to ask again. I will find out at Leadership.

You might want to try it - maybe even call HO and ask that it gets inserted there.

End of my highjack!

 

[chefmeg]

I have to share this story now that I have read through this thread-many years ago, I did a HWC show in May. I took orders for the pink items as soon as they were announced as well as had at least 10 other people doing it. My thought was this:
Have 10 people selling $100 in HWC only products, we have a $1,000 show. Then we would draw to split the Host benefits.
WELL, Home Office called and asked why I had so many orders for only "pink stuff" and I explained what I had done. It then had to be resubmitted as a HWC fundraiser rather than a show, which really was no big deal for me as I was donating my profit to the ACS anyway.
I am anxious to see how they respond to this cookbook idea-I think they need to rethink the whole fundraiser process anyway and maybe this will prompt them to do just that. When we can creatively think this through and be able to offer such a great return to a non-profit group, PC has to see what they are missing!

 

[BethCooks4U]

Beth, see above. Just call me a newbie. I was just going to donate the funds to my particular charity group once the show went through. I didn't even realize that TPC already donated $3 per booking. I'm still in my first 90 days here.

No, I was talking about the length of time that the Past Host Benefit is good for. I didn't feel a need to point out that PC gives the $3 since Ann had already said that.

Originally Posted by BethCooks4U
Why are you saying the booking can be held within 6-8 months of the fundraiser? What am I missing?

They only count if it's within 6 months of the show date which in your example is September so actually 5 months from when these people are placing their orders.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

momentary highjack

Becky,

At every conference I have filled in Kim on the "preferred name" spot on my registration form to see on my name KIMBERLY instead of Kim on my name tag. Now, don't get me wrong it is my name but I am used to being called Kim. The first time, I thought had put it on the "preferred name" spot. The next time I paid attention and know I did it and every time afterward.

At every conference, I have gone back to the registration line and they changed it to Kim on the name tag.

Anyway, at National Conference this year, I went to the registration booth to have them change my name on my name tag and she showed me on the computer where she was changing it to Kim in a section that was titled "preferred name" and she told me I shouldn't have to ask again. I will find out at Leadership.

You might want to try it - maybe even call HO and ask that it gets inserted there.

End of my highjack!

Thanks for the hijack info Kim! That's good to know - I guess I'll find out at Leadership too then!

 

[LibrarianChef]

No, I was talking about the length of time that the Past Host Benefit is good for. I didn't feel a need to point out that PC gives the $3 since Ann had already said that.

Remember that I was assuming it was my own donation, not TPC's. Therefore I didn't feel limited to 6 months. I'd especially like to have some bookings for next June during any sell-a-thon possibilities. But I also didn't want to say a full 12 months. I'd definitely pay $3 per show for that to this charity organization in a heartbeat.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Remember that I was assuming it was my own donation, not TPC's. Therefore I didn't feel limited to 6 months. I'd especially like to have some bookings for next June during any sell-a-thon possibilities. But I also didn't want to say a full 12 months. I'd definitely pay $3 per show for that to this charity organization in a heartbeat.

Did you know that we also have a sellathon in Nov-Dec for the Spring Products?

 

[Jules711]

I don't get how HO could tell you to change from a show to a fundraiser. That's really weird b/c that means going from possibly a 22-30% commission to a 15-17%! I personally, don't put them in as fundraisers if they are smaller and I plan to donate most of my commission. This way they get a higher percentage (my commission) and the products earned can be auctioned off. It's more beneficial typically! It'd be nice if the fundraiser % would increase. But if they don't, then I need to be creative.

 

[BethCooks4U]

Remember that I was assuming it was my own donation, not TPC's. Therefore I didn't feel limited to 6 months. I'd especially like to have some bookings for next June during any sell-a-thon possibilities. But I also didn't want to say a full 12 months. I'd definitely pay $3 per show for that to this charity organization in a heartbeat.

I was thinking we were talking about two different things but as I think about it, I was wrong.

The past host benefit I was talking about it the 60% off host (and host from whom the show was booked) only items but those don't apply on a fundraiser anyway. Fundraisers get the $3 donation instead. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[newbietoPC]

I love the flyers but they don't fit on the page, I tried landscape and they don't fit. How do you print these out??

 

[LibrarianChef]

I think it's being shut down. It may be an early assessment, but I got a message on my machine today from the supervisor's supervisor asking me to call ASAP so that we could talk. However, by the time I got the message she had already left work.

She didn't say much in the message except that she didn't believe this is something TPC would endorse or encourage because TPC does NOT do cookbook fundraisers only cooking show fundraisers. She said she wanted to talk with me about the points in my email and find out more about the source of the ideas.

It DOES sound like she's very concerned about the snowball effect from such an exciting idea. I assume that just from her voice and care of words--you know, the "oh no, how many people have already sent out information on this idea" kind of voice.

Did anyone else happen to email in to HO with questions (or encouragement) to consider this cookbook fundraiser? Just curious.

 

[Trish1953]

When you talk to her, remind her this was an idea that came from a director (see initial post on topic). So, where did that director hear about it? If something like this has already gone throuigh HO (without their knowing it), maybe they would find it easier to okay.

Trish in Texas
Independent Consultant

 

[jenniferlynne]

Yikes, I was just about to print out the flyers on this and start sending them out to some daycares. I'm glad I decided to flip to the last page first and read the updates. I guess I had better wait. It would be great if HO would start offering the cookbook fundraisers like they used to. It's too hard to do a fundraiser with a full size catalog and a bunch of kids.

 

[heat123]

I was going to make up an email too, glad I read the last page first!

 

[PCwithStay-C]

Oh crapola!! Ive been watching this thread and waiting for some GOOD news what a bummer if they shut this idea down!!

 

[stacywhitlow]

Me too! I already offered it. It hasn't been accepted so I am anxious to see how things go. Couldn't we just add other products to it? It is too difficult for schools to deal with the entire catalog. Maybe I was wrong in thinking it was meant for schools, daycares, even large churches. My MIL belongs a church with over 3000 members...way more than any school. It is starting to sound like the fundraisers don't really help anyone.

 

[cmdtrgd]

In the past we had set products available to fundraisers - not the whole catalog. I wouldn't want to go back to that. That being said, I do think the cookbook fundraiser as outlined (providing HO is okay with it) is a good one.

 

[newbietoPC]

I love the posters but how can I get them to print? When I print them they are on 2 pages, (cut in half) Is there a way to print them in one single page??

 

[PCwithStay-C]

I love the posters but how can I get them to print? When I print them they are on 2 pages, (cut in half) Is there a way to print them in one single page??

I wouldnt go printing them just yet. It looks like maybe HO may not allow the fundraiser. Dont want you to waste a bunch of paper on something you cant use.

 

[dwyerkim]

Me too! I already offered it. It hasn't been accepted so I am anxious to see how things go. Couldn't we just add other products to it? It is too difficult for schools to deal with the entire catalog. Maybe I was wrong in thinking it was meant for schools, daycares, even large churches. My MIL belongs a church with over 3000 members...way more than any school. It is starting to sound like the fundraisers don't really help anyone.

They really don't... it is too low of a profit margin to make it attractive to most groups, and I personally wouldn't want to schlep around selling stuff for only 10% profit. A lot of people would rather just make a full donation rather than know that only a few dollars from their purchase is going to be donated. Plus, it doesn't help us as consultants to build our businesses b/c whenever we explain the fundraiser one of the first comments is often "we usually get 50% back." Makes us look cheap. Sorry, negative vent here, I'll be quiet now!

 

[chefmeg]

They really don't... it is too low of a profit margin to make it attractive to most groups, and I personally wouldn't want to schlep around selling stuff for only 10% profit. A lot of people would rather just make a full donation rather than know that only a few dollars from their purchase is going to be donated. Plus, it doesn't help us as consultants to build our businesses b/c whenever we explain the fundraiser one of the first comments is often "we usually get 50% back." Makes us look cheap. Sorry, negative vent here, I'll be quiet now!

You only said what the rest of us think!!!! I really hope this prompts PC to reevaluate the fundraiser issue.

 

[BethCooks4U]

If PC denies this kind of fundraiser - which it looks like they will and in thinking more about it I can see why, I would hope that either the person who started the thread or Greg would delete it.

I can see people reading the start of it and printing off the flyers and...


...It sounded like such a good idea and the fact that a director sent it on to their team (I had read it as upper level - reading into things!) made it sound even better. Shows we all need to think things through before jumping on the bandwagon. My bad.

 

[PAMPEREDCHEFBELL]

Why can't the order form simply have a notation that states something like:

"*Price includes donation (PC sales price $10.00 + $4.00 donation + $1.00 sales tax & s/h)."

As long as it is disclosed that PC is not offering more than the normal 10-15% fundraiser donation, what's the issue? I would think as long as it is disclosed to the consumer up front, it removes PC from any liability.

And my thinking is that it still could it still be submitted as a fundraiser. Right? They could purchase other products if they wanted. It's just that the cookbooks would get more bang for their buck.

 

[stacywhitlow]

I was thinking the same thing. Since the cookbooks are the guest special, any guest should be able to purchase them right? As long as it was with a show (any type). Not sure how they can say we can't sell the guest special at a fundraiser. The extra $5 is to cover shipping and tax. That was just an easier way to explain to members and then they would not have to figure out the amounts themselves. Right?

 

[Kodeysmom]

okay, i am the one that originally posted it. I have left a message with my director concerning some of these issues. She has returned my call but i missed it and she is now overloaded with school registration as are many of us. I missed our weekly call last night but i am goingo to try and get in touch with her today. This did come from an upline director. From the attachment she provided it looks like she has done this in the past. As soon as i or anyone else hears anything we will share. I am sorry to have caused such an uproar.