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

[ShanaSmith]

I called too, but the answer you got was a bit more detailed then mine. I was basically told that guests can purchase whatever they want, and if they all want cookbooks then that is ok. I kinda got the "Duh" attitude from the gal I spoke to also.

 

[Paula R. Lewis]

I was wondering if some kind soul had made up an order form, which only lists the cookbooks and the $15 price? I would love to have one of these, but what I've seen is in Word document form, which do not have on my computer, so I cannot add my contact information to it....

I have talked to a preschool today, and she is VERY interested in doing this, so I really need to get info together ASAP...as it turns out, she is the administrator of TWO preschools, so I'll be able to get TWO fundraisers out of this idea!! Thanks to whoever thought of it!!!!


Paula

P.S. I would like the "disclaimer" on it, that the price includes shipping and handling charges. But....I just want it to be a form like the Girl Scout cookie form. Pictures of the cookbooks would be great, with a place to indicate how many of each they'd like, @ $15 each. And a place for the student's name at the top of the form. Nice and simple, kwim??

Thanks sooo much!!

 

[pampchefstacey]

Paula,

Have you tried going to OpenOffice.org: Home and downloading that office suite? it can read and save Microsoft Word files.

 

[Paula R. Lewis]

Thank you, Stacey! I'm downloading it now. My problem is not reading/opening Word documents, as they do that just fine. It's just that, most Consultants have their contact information on flyers, etc. that they've created, and they come up as a locked document, which means I cannot alter them in any way.

Will this program help to remedy that?

Thanks!
Paula

 

[Cindycooks]

Paula - it should work! openoffice is just like word - only free! I used it last year in the computer lab at preschool and it worked fine.

 

[tlennhoff]

Thank you, Stacey! I'm downloading it now. My problem is not reading/opening Word documents, as they do that just fine. It's just that, most Consultants have their contact information on flyers, etc. that they've created, and they come up as a locked document, which means I cannot alter them in any way.

Will this program help to remedy that?

Thanks!
Paula

It depends on how they've added thier info. I know at least one person on here uses the "ads" that she downloaded from merrill. For those you'd need to delete her "ad" with her info and then add your info in manually. If you email the document you are trying to modify to me I'll take a look and see what the problem is. My email is [email protected].

 

[Paula R. Lewis]

Thanks, Cindy! I'm still downloading it...had to stop for dinner....looking forward to trying it out!!

Paula

 

[pamperedtara]

I just hung up with HO and was told I CANNOT do a fundraiser that only offers cookbooks. They have to offer the whole catalog, but if all orders are for cookbooks that is OK:yuck: She said that each order had to be entered separately, each individual had to get a receipt and each individual had to pay tax & shipping. She said all fundraiser guidelines had to be followed (whatever that means). I asked about entering orders under each seller, and she said absolutely not. I responded that it makes sorting much easier for the organization if the orders are separated by seller and she again said that it couldn't be done that way. My final response was that I am not willing to enter 400 individual orders for one show and I would suggest that the group go a different route. She said "sounds like that may be best"??????? She never asked for my name, Consultant #, or anything. Do I need to call back to see if I get a different person???

I was really excited about this & have some organizations very interested.

 

[dwyerkim]

I just hung up with HO and was told I CANNOT do a fundraiser that only offers cookbooks. They have to offer the whole catalog, but if all orders are for cookbooks that is OK:yuck: She said that each order had to be entered separately, each individual had to get a receipt and each individual had to pay tax & shipping. She said all fundraiser guidelines had to be followed (whatever that means). I asked about entering orders under each seller, and she said absolutely not. I responded that it makes sorting much easier for the organization if the orders are separated by seller and she again said that it couldn't be done that way. My final response was that I am not willing to enter 400 individual orders for one show and I would suggest that the group go a different route. She said "sounds like that may be best"??????? She never asked for my name, Consultant #, or anything. Do I need to call back to see if I get a different person???

I was really excited about this & have some organizations very interested.

sounds like you got a very different response than I did. Stinks. they have your name and consultant number referenced by your phone # when you call in. I would call back and speak with a supervisor, say something like you have gotten some conflicting reports from other people and want to clarify. Good luck.

 

[pamperedtara]

Just spoke to a different person that did request my info and she said I would just need to call before submitting the show if there were 50 or more orders for the same product # on that show. Otherwise, I just submit it as normal. I think I am going to go ahead with this.
Surely, they won't accept some fund raiser shows and reject others based on conflicting answers by solution center reps???????? I like the cooking show kick-off with the catalog sale for them to take with them to sell. (Sorry, I don't remember who posted that, but thanks!) Probably will go that route just to be safe.

 

[heat123]

Sounds like HO needs to get there heads together for consistancy in their answers re: this cookbook fundraiser inquiry!

 

[LibrarianChef]

It is very frustrating to get mixed messages. I’ve had three talks on the phone with HO and each person’s personality is a bit different. Nevertheless, they’ve all given the same general information to me by referring us back to the policy and procedure manual. The last time I called in they said the solution center wasn’t authorized to answer my questions about the cookbook fundraiser. They transferred me to field services (AKA Career Solutions). Uh oh! How many of us got our answers from the regular solution center? And how were we to know that they aren’t the right place? Grrr! :grumpy:

After all of the varied answers I’ve heard, I’ve finally come to understand what some of you more seasoned consultants/directors said long ago in this thread: There are policies in place and we either follow them or we don’t. This fundraiser can’t make special allowances that aren’t true for every other show we do. A rep’s comments to us about “as long as it doesn’t break policy” and “as long as the organization is handling the donations” and “as long as the customer specifically says it’s okay to combine their order” all cover their own b*tts and lead us back to the regular black and white policies and procedures. Even the Fundraiser policies depend on the regular policies. And I’m embarrassed that I didn’t re-read them before calling HO. For example, I didn’t even realize that our policy says in BOLD letters, “You must provide each guest with an official sales receipt when her/his order is placed, because it includes legal information about consumer rights on the reverse side.”

When I asked for their details answers in writing, I was told that it has to all be on the phone. The only “in writing” thing is our policy manual which ultimately governs everything. They give us an answer based only on what we ask (nothing more) and that each of us must use our own conscience to take away our answers (based on our knowledge of policy). Obviously, they will not be held accountable for what we choose to do. They aren’t going to police us, so it’s up to you to do what you’ve gotta do. My last response from them was like this, “Well, we do NOT condone or encourage this, but we won’t be able to know you did it.” When they told me this on the phone yesterday I felt kinda like they were washing their hands of the question (i.e. reference to Pilate saying, "I won't be guilty…do what you must!"). I simply don't feel like I was released to do what I want to do, regardless of what the last rep told me.

I’m not sure that I want to do it anymore, but I really don’t want to discourage anyone else. If you've thought it through and feel good about it, GO FOR IT and please keep us posted on the outcome. Unfortunately, after reading the policies and procedures and talking to head managers and career solutions office, the FUN has been taken out of it for me (leaving me with just “draiser” and what does THAT do for me ). Their answers AND policy makes it much too complicated for my tastes—it’s a bit much for me as a new consultant. I think I’d rather sit this one out and just root the rest of you on. I have plenty of real shows to prepare for right now, anyway.

Have fun, everyone!

 

[PCwithStay-C]

OK so this is what I was going to write to HO but now it looks like I wil have to give them a call. I was writing to inquire about the idea of offering a cookbook fundraiser. I was told to contact HO regarding this fundraiser idea to get permission to offer and hold such a fundraiser. Below are details of how I would offer and run this fundraiser. - Organisations will be given the option to hold a fundraiser with a major focus on Cookbooks during the month of September.
- Other products will be offered, although these orders will be taken through my website, not on the order forms used by the organisation.
- Cookbooks will be offered at the September Guest Special of $10. People will then be asked to make a voluntary donation to the organisation. The numbers will look something like this.
1 Cookbook @ $10
Shipping @ $4
Tax 6% @ $.84
Total Paid = $16
Donated Amount $1.16

For 2 Cookbooks it would work out like this
2 Cookbook @ $20
Shipping @ $4
Tax 6% @ $1.44
Total Paid = $32
Donated Amount $6.56As the amount of books sold goes up, so does the donation amount. - Each order would be submitted under each person orderings name on a September OOF. Eg: If Mary sells to 4 different people, each person would receive a receipt, and each order would be submitted into PP+ that way. Official receipts with warranty and guarantee information would be distributed with the cookbooks.
- All books would be delivered to one central location ie: a church or school.
- Organisations would also get the normal fundraiser donation of 10-15% depending on sales. Please let me know if this idea as I have stated above is allowed by The Pampered Chef and is following company policy and I have read and understand it regarding ordering and Fundraisers.
Thank You
Stacey TateOK I just decided I will do both, I just sent the email and now Im going to call and try speak with someone.

 

[BethCooks4U]

It is very frustrating to get mixed messages. I’ve had three talks on the phone with HO and each person’s personality is a bit different. Nevertheless, they’ve all given the same general information to me by referring us back to the policy and procedure manual. The last time I called in they said the solution center wasn’t authorized to answer my questions about the cookbook fundraiser. They transferred me to field services (AKA Career Solutions). Uh oh! How many of us got our answers from the regular solution center? And how were we to know that they aren’t the right place? Grrr! :grumpy:

After all of the varied answers I’ve heard, I’ve finally come to understand what some of you more seasoned consultants/directors said long ago in this thread: There are policies in place and we either follow them or we don’t. This fundraiser can’t make special allowances that aren’t true for every other show we do. A rep’s comments to us about “as long as it doesn’t break policy” and “as long as the organization is handling the donations” and “as long as the customer specifically says it’s okay to combine their order” all cover their own b*tts and lead us back to the regular black and white policies and procedures. Even the Fundraiser policies depend on the regular policies. And I’m embarrassed that I didn’t re-read them before calling HO. For example, I didn’t even realize that our policy says in BOLD letters, “You must provide each guest with an official sales receipt when her/his order is placed, because it includes legal information about consumer rights on the reverse side.”

When I asked for their details answers in writing, I was told that it has to all be on the phone. The only “in writing” thing is our policy manual which ultimately governs everything. They give us an answer based only on what we ask (nothing more) and that each of us must use our own conscience to take away our answers (based on our knowledge of policy). Obviously, they will not be held accountable for what we choose to do. They aren’t going to police us, so it’s up to you to do what you’ve gotta do. My last response from them was like this, “Well, we do NOT condone or encourage this, but we won’t be able to know you did it.” When they told me this on the phone yesterday I felt kinda like they were washing their hands of the question (i.e. reference to Pilate saying, "I won't be guilty…do what you must!"). I simply don't feel like I was released to do what I want to do, regardless of what the last rep told me.

I’m not sure that I want to do it anymore, but I really don’t want to discourage anyone else. If you've thought it through and feel good about it, GO FOR IT and please keep us posted on the outcome. Unfortunately, after reading the policies and procedures and talking to head managers and career solutions office, the FUN has been taken out of it for me (leaving me with just “draiser” and what does THAT do for me ). Their answers AND policy makes it much too complicated for my tastes—it’s a bit much for me as a new consultant. I think I’d rather sit this one out and just root the rest of you on. I have plenty of real shows to prepare for right now, anyway.

Have fun, everyone!

Well said. I always feel that if I have to find ways to justify why/how I am doing something then I shouldn't be doing it (works in life too).

At first I thought this was a great idea but after reflecting on it I will not be offering this - it's too much work to justify it to PC therefore I'm seeing lots of red flags stopping me.

 

[pamperedlinda]

.......OK I just decided I will do both, I just sent the email and now Im going to call and try speak with someone.

It will be interesting to see if you get the same answer both times! Please let us know what they say.

 

[abrahamlaur]

I personally think we are taking this way to .. far? WE are making more of a big deal out of it than we should. You can follow the rules per HO and the policy's manual and still do this fundraiser. When I spoke with someone in Career Solutions, she said I could do the order form, but just should have a way for them to order offline if they want. I will have my website on there if they watn to order more than just the cookbooks. I dont mind keying everything into PP3 if that means this organization (my FRG and very near and dear to my heart) will benefit from it. I commend you not wanting to do it so you can stay true to the policy, but i do not believe the way i am going to do it will be going against them.

 

[krzymomof4]

I have only offered this to one person so far...and I think that will be all I offer it to. The mixed messages we have all gotten, myself from calling twice, has sucked the life out of it for me. I don't make alot of $$ doing fundraisers, so it is just not worth the aggrivation to me.
Good Luck to those of you who are still going to do this. I wish you all success!!!:thumbup:

 

[abrahamlaur]

Thanks Leslie .. I have never done a FR before but my FRG leader asked me about one before .. I"m choose to do this becuase I dont have enough Catalogs to give out to everyone! Good luck with yours!

 

[pclinskie]

my $.02Just my 2 cents I have found over the years if you call HO and don't like the answer or Attitude (although that has not been an issue for years _used to be) Just call back you will get someone that's usually a little nicer and usually more accomadating.

 

[PCwithStay-C]

Hi Everyone
I just wanted to update on my response from HO. So as long as I follow all fundraiser rules and procedures then I can go ahead with the fundraiser (or offering it at least)

Hi Stacey,

Thank you for your email inquiring about the possibility of offering a
fundraiser featuring The Pampered Chef's library of cookbooks that are
being featured in the guest special for September orders! I appreciate
your detailed examples.

It is important that your customers see the same level of detail
described in your email on their order forms. 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.

Also, in the two cookbook purchase example, this would apply only if
both cookbooks are being purchased by one customer. In that case, it is
appropriate to charge $4 shipping. As with Cooking Shows, or any other
order type, the Home Office does not condone combining orders.

What you are proposing is not reflective of our typical fundraiser. As
referenced in our guidelines, a fundraiser is essentially a Cooking Show
for a select group and offers special advantages.

Each customer can order from a wide range of products
Fundraisers provide an enjoyable way for a club or group members to
interact
No extra time is needed for door-to-door or special event sales

However 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.

For complete details on the Cooking Show Fundraiser please refer to page
F-5 in the Policies and Procedures online behind Consultant's Corner.

 

[abrahamlaur]

thanks stacey!

 

[karlene]

Is anyone working on an actual order form and letter that outlines these details to a group? Was just wondering!

 

[its_me_susan]

If they order through a show on PWS then you have to manually enter it and at that time I would call the individual customers to explain why the amount being charged on their credit card was different from what they were told on the website. If they ordered the cookbooks through the "cooks library" they would wonder at the $14.95 price and the shipping charges that show at the end. If they ordered through the guest special link then they would be confused as to why it said $10 a cookbook instead of $15 a cookbook.

It's too bad that, when doing fundraisers, people can't "round-up" and/or add a $5 amount to their order to go towards the named fundraising group. Does that make sense? Maybe something to suggest to PC?

 

[PCwithStay-C]

karlene, i will be this weekend. I probably wont get to post it till Sunday but I will be doing one.

 

[PCwithStay-C]

[QUOTEIf they order through a show on PWS then you have to manually enter it and at that time I would call the individual customers to explain why the amount being charged on their credit card was different from what they were told on the website. If they ordered the cookbooks through the "cooks library" they would wonder at the $14.95 price and the shipping charges that show at the end. If they ordered through the guest special link then they would be confused as to why it said $10 a cookbook instead of $15 a cookbook.

OK so this is just how I will be doing it.
Cookbooks will only be ordered through orders from people, not on the website. I will direct people to my website for other orders but all cookbook orders must be ordered on an order form. I dont want to have to be calling 100 people telling them that I will be charging their credit cards a different amount.
Make sense??

 

[PCwithStay-C]

It's too bad that, when doing fundraisers, people can't "round-up" and/or add a $5 amount to their order to go towards the named fundraising group. Does that make sense? Maybe something to suggest to PC?

Sorry, this is what I was refering to in my last post!

 

[karlene]

Stacey
thank you so much!!!!
I have 3 groups waiting to do this and just havent been able to come up with the right layout for things...any help would be greatly appreciated!
Have a great weekend

 

[PCwithStay-C]

OK so here is what I have so far. I have done a 'Cheat Sheet' for those collecting orders to have all the info right in front of them. I also have 2 different types of letters to go out to organisations. I took someones elses letter that I think may have been on this thread and just changed it up abit.
One is for using a cooking show to kick off the fundraising. The second has a paragraph of personal info. Pick and choose or redo as you feel fit.I am working on an order form. Its 99% done. I just have to put the donation information on it and redo the category part. Let me know if there is anything that needs to be changed or you think should be changed.
ThanksNEW LETTERS CHEATSHEET AND ORDER FORM DOWN BELOW

 

[Christ Follower]

It just took me 1 hour to read through this whole thread!!! I might try it for my church (I am the Cubbies Director for Awana). I just need to make sure I also get the okay from HO, make it CLEAR that the cookbooks are $10 but any extra donations would be appreciated and of course, get the okay from my Pastor.

 

[Christ Follower]

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.