PARENTS; do you hit your coworkers up with your kid's fundraisers?

vash · vash's Garage

girl scout cookies, popcorn, chocolates, magazine subscriptions...damn. does it ever end?

i am starting to say "no". ok, the cookie dough looked good...one last time.

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

Definately!

C'mon, who else?

Personally, I don't, but I always contribute to the office people that do. Gotta love those kids. I usually buy them out

They tend to come back after that each year. Ha, ha.

BGCarrera32 · 02-23-2009, 12:10 PM

Actually scout sales, etc. don't offend me or annoy me at all.

The tip cup at the Caribou counter does (Caribou is like a Starbucks). $4.25 a cup and they want me to dump the change from my $5 in there for "good Barista skills".

Sorry, I don't have a tip cup at my cubicle for engineering help...

steve185 · 02-23-2009, 12:10 PM

I never did, and am getting tired of it.

The Gaijin · 02-23-2009, 12:14 PM

Cookies give some gratification - when they show up.

It is the suburban sports team fundraiser and the Hong Kong lottery type stuff that is a total waste of money!

masraum · 02-23-2009, 12:17 PM

I purchase occasionally, but I say no plenty. I don't really mind too much as long as they aren't pushy about it.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

The candy bars and Girl Scout cookies I buy. The $25 rolls of gift wrap and cookie dough, no.

Hard-Deck · 02-23-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigster59

The candy bars and Girl Scout cookies I buy. The $25 rolls of gift wrap and cookie dough, no.

Spot-on.

stomachmonkey · 02-23-2009, 12:24 PM

Have been on both ends.

Don't particularly like it.

When I was a kid I'd go out on my own, (dressed in my Boy Scout uniform cause no patriotic American says no to the scouts) canvassing for hours.

But I am also aware that these days there are a lot of dangers out there for kids and a lot of homes with both parents working who may not have the time to chaperone the kids on outings.

I think the kids need to put in the majority of the effort otherwise what's the point?

They are learning the wrong lesson.

t951 · t951's Garage

I make it crystal clear from day one, I will not buy from anyone, its only fair to equally say no. By establishing the rule up front and evenly I never have a problem.

Dave L · 02-23-2009, 12:36 PM

At work I have left the box of chocolate bars in the kitchen with an envelope. At the end of the day some of the chocolate bars are gone and a few $'s are in the envelope. I wouldnt go "Cube to Cube" hucking chocolate bars thought.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I would have canvased our neighborhood but we live in the middle of nowhere. Coincidentally my parents have their own business with 1 employee. Needless to say my popcorn sales were never stellar as a young scout. We had one youngun in the troop that would go door to door in the rain in his uniform. That little fart usually sold upwards of 2k worth.

LWJ · 02-23-2009, 12:57 PM

Absolutely!

However, my children must make the pitch in person. Sales skills pay the bills in my house.

This is an obligation that I reciprocate when my co-workers kids come and ask me.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I never foist my son's fundraising on co-workers. Period.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I thought the whole point was to get the kids to go out and get the donations directly, to teach them skills. I sold leaf bags, donuts, split wood, collected newspapers door to door, all to help generate money for our troop.

ikarcuaso · 02-23-2009, 03:56 PM

I telecommute, so I have to email blast my company when there's a fundraiser, make them paypal the funds to me, plus an inflated shipping charge, and then bring their stuff to the office on my next semi-annual office visit. Of course, they can mail a money order, for a nominal fee. Non-responders get friendly, periodic, "reminder" emails. I will personally call certain "target" contributers, *67 to their cell or home after hours as needed. Works great.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I hope you are joking...

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGCarrera32

Actually scout sales, etc. don't offend me or annoy me at all.

The tip cup at the Caribou counter does (Caribou is like a Starbucks). $4.25 a cup and they want me to dump the change from my $5 in there for "good Barista skills".

Sorry, I don't have a tip cup at my cubicle for engineering help...

Go to McDonald on Monday and get a small coffee for FREE, at least it's at the Windy City McDonalds.

Brian 162 · 02-23-2009, 04:25 PM

It usually works out evenly if everyone has kids. I never had kids however I always bought cookies, popcorn, or magazines.
I used to volunteer teaching disabled kids ski/snowboard. The one time I was looking for donations it was like pulling teeth to get support.

KarlCarrera · 02-23-2009, 04:38 PM

Yep, having raised four kids I do. $1 candy bars, girl scout cookies, and popcorn. (man is that expensive). Candy bars were the easiest to take to work and get rid of. Some guys would buy $5-$10. Usually had to have the kids get a few more boxes from school. The Gold 'C' books and $20-25 'Gift Cards' never sold. Pain in the butt to get rid of. Still buying from the young kids in the neighborhood. Other parents helped my kids out, so I'll help theirs out. $50-60 a year, what the heck.

Karl
88 Targa