School Fundraising Scams

[mobeau69]

My granddaughter’s been in KG for about a month and her school is already raising money by partaking in the old scam of selling some company’s candy and cookies at the usual ridiculously inflated prices. I wrote a check and told her mother to just donate it directly to the school.

These private operations use the children to sell their overpriced crap to family members.

Pisses me off that her school would take part in a money making scam ran by some private scam operation to begin with. Really pisses me off that they use children in the scam.

[genxlib]

1. I hated that too when my daughter was in elementary school

Much like you, we would simply opt out with a direct donation which was worth more than their percentage of the scam.

The absolute worst was when they used class time to take them to an assembly where they went all ra-ra hyping the kids up to make the sales. They even had a jingle set to the tune of "Frère Jacques". Mind you this was before they ever actually learned the real words to the song. The wife and I were livid.

[mobeau69]

6. They're set up so circumventing the scam with a direct donation deprives the little ones the

opportunity to win the sales rewards. These scams have every base covered. Thinking about just giving her the grand prize myself and using the scam as an educational opportunity for her. Hell, she’s only in KG.

[genxlib]

9. The prize is generally out of reach

Unless all the parents and grandparents are willing to leverage all their co-workers and friends. I refused to put people through that so we just gave up on the prize.

[MyOwnPeace]

2. Oldie but goodie.......

"I dream of the day when the military has to hold a bake sale and the schools get the budget they want."

[mobeau69]

5. Pretty much sums it up.

[Diamond_Dog]

3. When my boys were in elementary school

In the 90s …. there was one “fundraiser” after another all year long.

It pissed me off that this was the only way to pay for needed items in the schools.

And one tax abatement after another handed out to local businesses.

[jimfields33]

4. Been done since at least the 80's when I was in grade school and high school

Who knows how much the school actually gets, but it’s become a rite of passage I guess. Doesn’t seem to be stopping.

[wnylib]

8. I graduated from high school in 1967.

Throughout my high school years teachers and students sold candy bars to raise money for the school band, sports teams, cheerleaders, school chorus, etc. The money went toward costs for uniforms and travel. Teachers who were supervisors for the organizations announced in class that they had the candy available and urged students to "support our cheerleaders" or whichever group they represented.

[Frustratedlady]

7. I've done the same for grand and great grands. Same with G/S cookies.

The company has basically free advertising, sales, delivery and accountants while the kids find out that their sales can be accomplished by begging their parents to take the order forms to work. Those at work feel obligated to buy.