Getting Fundraisers: Low Commission Rates & What to Do

[MicheleC]

Lots of great suggestions.

Jennifer, by all means contact your friends and family. No territories in PC so it is up to us to do the asking.

I think February is an excellent month to do a fundraiser with stoneware but I'm not sure I would like the idea of not giving the discounted price as one of the things I tell everyone about our fundraisers is that they pay the same price as they normally would. I know I would feel cheated as a customer if I found out that I could have received a better deal on my stoneware elsewhere. That is one of the things I point out to people is that if someone really wants to pay a marked up price they can make an additional contribution and take the tax deduction as well.

Don't forget to let people know about the website option as well. This way family across the country can make a purchase and support the organization as well.

I have two groups considering fundraisers for February...yea, double points! Now I just have to clench the deal.

 

[pchef_strickland]

Ann,

And, what is the C and FV in the order sheet?

C=Cranberry
FV=French Vanilla

 

[jenniferknapp]

Lots of great suggestions.Jennifer, by all means contact your friends and family. No territories in PC so it is up to us to do the asking.I think February is an excellent month to do a fundraiser with stoneware but I'm not sure I would like the idea of not giving the discounted price as one of the things I tell everyone about our fundraisers is that they pay the same price as they normally would. I know I would feel cheated as a customer if I found out that I could have received a better deal on my stoneware elsewhere. That is one of the things I point out to people is that if someone really wants to pay a marked up price they can make an additional contribution and take the tax deduction as well.Don't forget to let people know about the website option as well. This way family across the country can make a purchase and support the organization as well.I have two groups considering fundraisers for February...yea, double points! Now I just have to clench the deal.

I am not sure of the idea of "cheating" the customers...but maybe if we have a little note that states that the stoneware is 20% off in february, but in support of the fundraiser for ____, we ask that you pay regular catalog price, and that extra 20% will go to the ____.Not sure if I still like that or not, I haven't decided yet...so I haven't contacted any of my family yet. I guess it could be an option if a school/org/charity crinches at the normal %.... then you could offer it and leave the decision to them, but still be up front with the customer

 

[pamperedharriet]

There are pros and cons to that. I don't know how it would fly here.

 

[jenniferknapp]

yeah.... I am thinking that I don't feel 100% comfortable with it, especially since I have been dragging my heals...so I don't think I will offer that!

 

[jenniferknapp]

There are pros and cons to that. I don't know how it would fly here.

PS: I think my cousin is living in Manchester...he went to St. Michael's College and now works at Dealer.Com ...any idea if that is near you?

 

[CrazyChef]

Submit fundraisers by fax...

Even though the order would be under the order-taker's name when you submit the show, you would write the customer's name on the write-in receipt? I am just thinking for warranty issues in the future, HO wouldn't have their name on file for the order and the receipts wouldn't match?

To avoid the name issue, you can fax in your show. That way, HO has no idea of the names of the purchasers , they just know what products were purchased at that show... So for a warranty issue, HO will only verify that that product was indeed purchased at that show. HTH

 

[jenniferknapp]

To avoid the name issue, you can fax in your show. That way, HO has no idea of the names of the purchasers , they just know what products were purchased at that show... So for a warranty issue, HO will only verify that that product was indeed purchased at that show. HTH

That does help! I never thought of that!! But also, then HO wouldn't be able to sort it out by the order-taker's name either...but then again, that is why the host gets the host special of the month! hmm....

 

[pamperedharriet]

PS: I think my cousin is living in Manchester...he went to St. Michael's College and now works at Dealer.Com ...any idea if that is near you?

I know St Michael's is in Vermont and they have a Manchester. I don't know where dealer.com is. So, do you think he is in NH or VT?

 

[scottcooks]

FUNDRAISERS are for the group - not the host, not the consultant. Think of them as a community service, and you're on the right track. Don't fuss about the 'low percentage' - I did a 3K fundraiser 2 years ago where group got $460 in check from PC and another check from me, and I am closing a 2.5K fundraiser held Saturday, in the next day or so.

Get the FR to gain new business and get your name out there. One of my customers was my former Weight Watchers lecturer! She placed an over $200 order!

Don't be down on the company - instead, think of the products, show the products, be the consultant to bring great products to the public. I guarantee if you change your attitude about this, you will bring yourself more business!

 

[MGG]

To avoid the name issue, you can fax in your show. That way, HO has no idea of the names of the purchasers , they just know what products were purchased at that show... So for a warranty issue, HO will only verify that that product was indeed purchased at that show. HTH

That is a great idea!! I didn't even know that we had the option of faxing in a show! What is the fax number? Do you call and verify that the show is received?

 

[jenniferknapp]

I know St Michael's is in Vermont and they have a Manchester. I don't know where dealer.com is. So, do you think he is in NH or VT?

Oops, I think he is in Manchester VT...haha

 

[pamperedharriet]

Oops, I think he is in Manchester VT...haha

No problem, Jennifer.

 

[soccermama]

Honestly... in the fall my kids brought home their fundraiser catalog.... I looked at it and threw it away! It was filled with junk and I refused to try to get my friends to buy any of it. Usually I can find at least 1 thing that looks cute and I'd be willing to spend my money on.... but NO! Not a thing that was worth the over-inflated price.....

I am taking the Pampered Chef fundraising information to our next PAC meeting. I will set it up as cookbooks and spices, but make a note on the fliers that they can purchase from the whole product line. I know the other parents are as frustrated with the fundraisers as I am, so hopefully they'll be open to the new idea!!!

 

[pamperedharriet]

Good luck Celeste. I hope they take you up on it!

 

[jenniferknapp]

I just offered one fundraiser, and I am trying it without pulling the Feb. thing, or giving any of my commission...we'll see how it goes!

 

[jrstephens]

I just offered one fundraiser, and I am trying it without pulling the Feb. thing, or giving any of my commission...we'll see how it goes!

The fundraiser I just got was our standard with no kick ins from me and I am using the stoneware sale to promote sales. I just dropped off the packets today. They are going to sell for about 2 weeks - keep your fingers crossed for me! I will for you too!

 

[pamperedharriet]

The fundraiser I just got was our standard with no kick ins from me and I am using the stoneware sale to promote sales. I just dropped off the packets today. They are going to sell for about 2 weeks - keep your fingers crossed for me! I will for you too!

That's awesome, Jennifer! Good luck with it.

 

[jenniferknapp]

That's awesome, Jennifer! Good luck with it.

No, no...I offered it to a group for the first time! I haven't gotten it YET! But I am keeping my fingers crossed..

 

[pamperedharriet]

I just offered one fundraiser, and I am trying it without pulling the Feb. thing, or giving any of my commission...we'll see how it goes!

I'll be praying for you!

 

[jrstephens]

That's awesome, Jennifer! Good luck with it.

Thanks !!!

 

[pamperedharriet]

No, no...I offered it to a group for the first time! I haven't gotten it YET! But I am keeping my fingers crossed..

I guess I'll have to specify which Jennifer when I post!

 

[jenniferknapp]

haha I just realized that!

 

[pamperedharriet]

haha I just realized that!

I think I'll call you JK--OK?

 

[pamperedharriet]

By the way, JK did you get your FedEx problem straightend out yet? Don't forget our trifle bowl is due on Wednesday.

 

[jenniferknapp]

Okay! I am so used to having multiple Jennifer's! I decided to wait until tomorrow to hopefully see my driver and ask him myself why he/she didn't....and then I will call HO. If I'm not home tomorrow when my changeover kit SHOULD be getting here...then I will call FedEx. I am so excited about our trifle bowls!! And I think I am going to order some samples....and splurge on those forged steak knives!! I suggested it, and I didn't buy the other because I was hoping...so my wish came true!

 

[pamperedharriet]

I was thinking about your problem all day and kept on forgetting to ask you. When my January host came by earlier tonight to drop off the rest of the money I showed her a picture of the trifle bowl on the cover and she told me one of her friends is looking for one. I told her when she sees her at work tomorrow tell her that it is coming out March 1st and if she hosts a show in April she can get it for 60% off. Can't wait to find out if she decides to book!

 

[jenniferknapp]

That is great! I posted in another thread that I saw a co-worker today at the grocery store, and I mentioned that I did PC...and his friend was like Oh! I need a pizza stone..and stupid me I didn't have anything PC with me, and didn't think of getting her name on a scrap piece....so I have to email him tomorrow at work and try to get some info so I can see if she wants to do a show in Feb and get her stone at 60% off!!!! I will hope for you and you hope for me!

 

[pamperedharriet]

Sounds like a plan JK!