Girl Scout cookies advice UPDATE Post #109

[BernardandMissBianca]

Ummm, do you have Thanks-a-lots?????

Huh, you learn something new every day, those sound delish!!
The lemon wedge ones and the lemonade ones are new too, damn wish I had known our GS cookie mom was selling them. We switched schools and I guess out of sight, out of mind came into play. I actually had to go to the old school to track her down.

I would buy from you, OP, but shipping would kill me on perishable items.

I would totally hit up the college campuses and maybe even the High schools, those kids have some serious disposable cash.

 

[luvmy3]

The troops know the rules going in and they sign off on them. The SU cookie managers are there for the leaders to discuss orders and help them unload what they can but if a troop orders a crazy amount for whatever reason and they are stuck with them, they have to follow the rules just like every other troop...it's part of being honest and fair. I know it stinks in many cases but that is just how it is and selling cookies outside of the sale period is a good way to be ban from all sales the next year.

I understand the rules, however if I as cookie mom was responsible for the extra cookies, and I pay for them, they are mine and I'd do what I wanted with them, including sell them to people. I don't represent the GS after the sale, I represent myself who was out thousands of dollars. It would also be the last time I volunteered to do anything for their organization, ever.

My point was that they should have policies in place that would prevent the kind of thing that happened to the pp's troop from happening at all. What about setting a limit on how many cases above actual orders taken, can be ordered by a troop? You don't even have to limit it that way, you could put a limit on cases but let a troop order multiple times, that way if they are doing very well with their booth sales, they could get more, and if they aren't doing well then they don't have to be responsible for 176 extra cases. Or like in our council's case, take back unopened cases. There are plenty of things they could do to help a troop in that position instead of punishing them by not letting them participate in sales, or prosecuting for their money
I'd rather have my dd as a GS learn to help those in need, rather than learning that sometimes its just "too bad".

 

[descovy]

My troops do pretty well even if only earning 60c a box. Parents only pay for personal uniform and books. Girls pay $1 a meeting and help sell cookies and fall product. The proceeds cover patches, supplies, service projects and field trips, evan an overnight trip in the spring. All that covered by cookie money.

The money that goes to the council helps pay for programs that all girl scouts in the area can participate in. My Brownies are going to a workshop to earn their cooking badge... Only costs $3/girl. My Cadettes are going to camp for the weekend (2nights) for only $30. And that includes food & activities.

Trust me, we are only paying a portion of what these events truly cost to be put together. The bulk of what my council brings in pays to upkeep camps. We have several in our area and they offer horseback riding, sailing, even zip lining. A week at camp is about $350.

I know from experience with Summer camp that this is just a portion of the TRUE cost of camp. I have reletives that live/work at church camp. A week there costs a kid $330... No horses or sailboats either!

Our church camp fundraises regularly, and individual churches even help subsidize the camp. The cost of providing camp is at least double what the children actually pay.

And yet Girl Scout camp costs the same amount. We have cookie money to thank for that.

60c a box gives a troop of 10 girls money for activities, field trips and service projects. They can spend it prudently or blow it on a Build a Bear party or rent a beach house.

Giving the council $2/box means camp and workshops are available and affordable for all girl scouts, not just the ones in your troop

It works for me!

 

[MSLRAC]

I understand the rules, however if I as cookie mom was responsible for the extra cookies, and I pay for them, they are mine and I'd do what I wanted with them, including sell them to people. I don't represent the GS after the sale, I represent myself who was out thousands of dollars. It would also be the last time I volunteered to do anything for their organization, ever.

My point was that they should have policies in place that would prevent the kind of thing that happened to the pp's troop from happening at all. What about setting a limit on how many cases above actual orders taken, can be ordered by a troop? You don't even have to limit it that way, you could put a limit on cases but let a troop order multiple times, that way if they are doing very well with their booth sales, they could get more, and if they aren't doing well then they don't have to be responsible for 176 extra cases. Or like in our council's case, take back unopened cases. There are plenty of things they could do to help a troop in that position instead of punishing them by not letting them participate in sales, or prosecuting for their money
I'd rather have my dd as a GS learn to help those in need, rather than learning that sometimes its just "too bad".

Any time that a person is selling GS cookies, then they are representing GS whether you think so or not. Leaders and parents sign forms every year agreeing to abide by the rules and they are expected to do so and if it becomes an issue, the council has to take action. Otherwise, you end up with old cookies floating around (there is now a sale by date on cookies made at ABC Bakery for this very reason) or troops selling for lower prices which goes back to not being honest or fair which is part of the foundation of Girl Scouting.

And there is really no way to set a limit. I have a troop of 6 girls that sold over 7500 boxes and then I have another troop of 35 that sold less than 500 boxes. Troops should know what cookies they need and what they don't. If they realize that they are holding way too many, then they need to contact their cookie managers ASAP to get assistance in moving those cookies. It's not the council's job to babysit the troop cookie mom to make sure that they aren't getting too many cookies. But honestly, I haven't had a single troop over order (I am managing 10 troops this sale) and I think that is because they are more cautious and put more thought into their orders because they know that they can't return them.

I'm not saying that it doesn't stink to be left holding cookies because it does and I know that but that is on the cookie mom and troop when that happens.

 

[luvmy3]

Any time that a person is selling GS cookies, then they are representing GS whether you think so or not. Leaders and parents sign forms every year agreeing to abide by the rules and they are expected to do so and if it becomes an issue, the council has to take action. Otherwise, you end up with old cookies floating around (there is now a sale by date on cookies made at ABC Bakery for this very reason) or troops selling for lower prices which goes back to not being honest or fair which is part of the foundation of Girl Scouting.

And there is really no way to set a limit. I have a troop of 6 girls that sold over 7500 boxes and then I have another troop of 35 that sold less than 500 boxes. Troops should know what cookies they need and what they don't. If they realize that they are holding way too many, then they need to contact their cookie managers ASAP to get assistance in moving those cookies. It's not the council's job to babysit the troop cookie mom to make sure that they aren't getting too many cookies. But honestly, I haven't had a single troop over order (I am managing 10 troops this sale) and I think that is because they are more cautious and put more thought into their orders because they know that they can't return them.

I'm not saying that it doesn't stink to be left holding cookies because it does and I know that but that is on the cookie mom and troop when that happens.

I know all about the rules, I volunteered for 2 years as co-leader for my dd's troop, and like yours we never ran into the issue of having a huge surplus. However my council was very helpful and would take back unopened cases, so if there was a situation where a cookie mom ordered way too many, like 170+ cases, there would not be the issue of the troop or herself being responsible for $8000.
So, like I said, there are ways to prevent it from happening, you just need to have a council willing to make policies so that it doesn't, since there is no GS rule stating they can't. I wouldn't want to be a part of one that didn't, because we all make mistakes and what a shame it would be if that dumb mistake of over ordering wiped out an entire troop's funds, or put families in bankruptcy. So regardless of what papers I or the parents signed, I would tell them to do whatever it took to avoid any of that.

 

[MSLRAC]

I know all about the rules, I volunteered for 2 years as co-leader for my dd's troop, and like yours we never ran into the issue of having a huge surplus. However my council was very helpful and would take back unopened cases, so if there was a situation where a cookie mom ordered way too many, like 170+ cases, there would not be the issue of the troop or herself being responsible for $8000.
So, like I said, there are ways to prevent it from happening, you just need to have a council willing to make policies so that it doesn't, since there is no GS rule stating they can't. I wouldn't want to be a part of one that didn't, because we all make mistakes and what a shame it would be if that dumb mistake of over ordering wiped out an entire troop's funds, or put families in bankruptcy. So regardless of what papers I or the parents signed, I would tell them to do whatever it took to avoid any of that.

I'm not saying that our council is not helpful in matters like this but if a troop comes to the SU cookie managers at zero hour saying they have cases of cookies left, there is not much that can be done (although we do send out urgent emails and texts seeing what we can pull together). But, if they come to us early, we can usually help them get rid of them rather easily.

Yes, mistakes happen but why should the council be left holding the bag for one or two troops that over ordered? That is not fair to the other troops that ordered appropriately.

And honestly, I do not know how councils that take cookies back handle that. If that was an option in our council, I could easily see stuff like the OP's situation happening all the time. I could see many leaders and cookie moms taking the approach of ordering a ton to start just to keep from having to go to the cookie cupboard weekly. Why not, they'd have nothing to lose? But then the council is stuck with tons of cookies in the end that they have to pay for.

 

[stsomewhere]

In my daughter's junior troop lasst year, some of the girls wanted to sell 1000 boxes each. A few of their moms had signs on their cars with their cell phone number. They would go grocery shopping and someone wold buy some, school pick up/drop off, etc....

 

[Fishteacher]

I am not sure exactly how the troop leader is planning on paying for the extra cases of cookies. I did overhear her ask another mother what the council would do to her if she didn't pay them the $8000. This is the troop leaders second year (it is my DDs first year so I am not sure how it went last year). Not to sound ignorant, but what is a cookie mom?? Our leader has been in charge of everything from the way it looks. Also, she did mention that we can still sell them but I am not sure if we are only allowed to sell until a special date. If you are interesed in cookies, feel free to contact me! We are located in NJ

 

[ktsmama]

As a GS leader, I can tell you it is so hard to guess how many cookies your troop will sell. Please don't be too hard on her, I promise you she is stressed enough about it!! The council we belong to had a deadline for returning, and if you had extras after that, it is up to you to sell them. I assume your troop leader has already checked into this. She cannot force you to take cookies to sell. But, you can be proactive and think of alternatives.

You do not need approval from your council or anyone else to have another cookie booth. You only need permission from the business where you would like to have your booth. A college campus is an excellent idea. I have also heard that going door-to-door in a college dorm can be a huge success. I would not be afraid to mention it to the soccer team. You never know who might still want to buy! I sold 14 boxes to employees at my bank the other day! One girl just needed more, and one had not been approached by anyone yet. Another local bank in our town buys cases of cookies, then sells them at their counter and drive-up window until they are gone. You may want to find a local business that would be willing to help you out in that way. No one wants to see a little GS troop lose money because they can't sell their cookies.

Good luck to you!!

 

[zurgswife]

I am not sure exactly how the troop leader is planning on paying for the extra cases of cookies. I did overhear her ask another mother what the council would do to her if she didn't pay them the $8000. This is the troop leaders second year (it is my DDs first year so I am not sure how it went last year). Not to sound ignorant, but what is a cookie mom?? Our leader has been in charge of everything from the way it looks. Also, she did mention that we can still sell them but I am not sure if we are only allowed to sell until a special date. If you are interesed in cookies, feel free to contact me! We are located in NJ

Most troops have a designed mom/dad who is not the leader who is in charge of the cookie sales. Usually the troop leader is too busy and is very happy to have another person deal with all the cookie stuff.

I think if you don't pay they probably will come after the leader if it is truly $8000. In NJ grand theft is anything over $400.

 

[luvmy3]

And honestly, I do not know how councils that take cookies back handle that. If that was an option in our council, I could easily see stuff like the OP's situation happening all the time. I could see many leaders and cookie moms taking the approach of ordering a ton to start just to keep from having to go to the cookie cupboard weekly. Why not, they'd have nothing to lose? But then the council is stuck with tons of cookies in the end that they have to pay for.

I can't speak for all the troops in our council, but ours never took advantage of the fact that we could return them. We didn't just order a whole bunch knowing that we could just return them. We ordered what we thought we could sell, and knew if we needed more we could get them so it wasn't necessary to order tons and tons anyway.
I guess our council just had more faith in us doing it right instead of us all having the attitude "we have nothing too lose". Since their policy hasn't changed I can only assume the troops always live up to those expectations.

I think in the case of the pp, since it most likely isn't something that happens all the time, a little consideration that it was a mistake wouldn't be seen as "not fair" to any other troops. Like I said before, I'd rather my dd learn by example from the GS, that helping someone goes a long way.

 

[msjprincess]

As a GS leader, I can tell you it is so hard to guess how many cookies your troop will sell. Please don't be too hard on her, I promise you she is stressed enough about it!! The council we belong to had a deadline for returning, and if you had extras after that, it is up to you to sell them. I assume your troop leader has already checked into this. She cannot force you to take cookies to sell. But, you can be proactive and think of alternatives.

You do not need approval from your council or anyone else to have another cookie booth. You only need permission from the business where you would like to have your booth. A college campus is an excellent idea. I have also heard that going door-to-door in a college dorm can be a huge success. I would not be afraid to mention it to the soccer team. You never know who might still want to buy! I sold 14 boxes to employees at my bank the other day! One girl just needed more, and one had not been approached by anyone yet. Another local bank in our town buys cases of cookies, then sells them at their counter and drive-up window until they are gone. You may want to find a local business that would be willing to help you out in that way. No one wants to see a little GS troop lose money because they can't sell their cookies.

Good luck to you!!

That may depend on where you live. We have to arrange all booth sales through the Service Unit Cookie Manager. And if we want to have it in a neighboring town we have to get permission from that Service Unit. I live in a very small town without many businesses.

 

[GillieRose]

I'm not sure how much DD's troop gets, but I'm sure it's around $.60-$.75. It really isn't fair that the troops get so little because they work really hard to sell. We've got 4 cookie booths, so 4 Saturdays, and it is really tough to keep 7 year olds focused for 2-4 hours at a time selling cookies. But some of the girls (wish I could say all, but a few do nothing but fool around) really try. It is a shame they don't get more for the amount of work they put into selling and the amount of time we sacrifice as a family to help DD's troop sell.

I just doubled check how many booths we had and the girls worked 15 booths over the 2 week period we had them sometimes working 4 hours a day after school. I am a co cookie mom and my daughter was at every booth unless we had ones at different locations on the same day. One day she did a booth from 4-8 in the wind and snow outside of Walmart. She doesn't mind since they count towards her total which was 482 for this year.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Most troops have a designed mom/dad who is not the leader who is in charge of the cookie sales. Usually the troop leader is too busy and is very happy to have another person deal with all the cookie stuff.

I think if you don't pay they probably will come after the leader if it is truly $8000. In NJ grand theft is anything over $400.

Normally they cookie mom has to sign a form so they can also be held responsible.

You do not need approval from your council or anyone else to have another cookie booth. You only need permission from the business where you would like to have your booth. A college campus is an excellent idea. I have also heard that going door-to-door in a college dorm can be a huge success. I would not be afraid to mention it to the soccer team. You never know who might still want to buy! I sold 14 boxes to employees at my bank the other day! One girl just needed more, and one had not been approached by anyone yet. Another local bank in our town buys cases of cookies, then sells them at their counter and drive-up window until they are gone. You may want to find a local business that would be willing to help you out in that way. No one wants to see a little GS troop lose money because they can't sell their cookies.

Good luck to you!!

Most councils do require you notify them and most limit the amount off booth sales you have. We are allowed 2 or 3 (cant remember which each season)

OP good luck.. also try your local ice cream places... they may use them for specials. I know mine makes these samoa ice cream sandwiches.

I would contact your service unit manager and the service unit cookie manager and ask them to send out an email to all of the troops. See if anyone else needs more before the go to the cookie cupboard to pick more up.

 

[brookmey]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I have learned so much about the cookie sales from everyone!

I emailed the president of the soccer league DS is in to see if DD could sell cookies during her brother's practice times and he gave me the OK. So, DD and I will do that next week and the week after. The cookie mom has been talking to some area businesses about buying the cookies and then donating them, but I don't know how many have been sold.

The leader does not like the idea of setting up a booth at the local community college. She said she's done doing booths (her daughter refuses to work them because they're boring) so she prefers dividing the boxes amongst the girls, but I flat out told her that won't work for DD and I won't agree to that. I don't want to have to be responsible for any extra boxes. The cookie mom said that whatever DD doesn't sell at our garage sale and at soccer practice I can return to the troop and not be held responsible for them, so she's being great. I think she really appreciates that I'm trying to help.

The leader doesn't agree with any other suggestions, so right now the 2 are in a little war, with me kind of in the middle. The rest of the moms haven't said a word, so I don't know where they stand. Troop meeting is tomorrow, so we'll see what happens!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Do you need the leaders approval to set up a booth?
I don't see why you, cookie mom and maybe a few others couldn't band together and sell your allotted cookies at the colleges on your own. She seems insistent on you taking a cut and she doesn't seem to care where the money comes from so this might be your best option.

Sounds like your leader has thrown in the towel and gone rogue.

And I'm sorry but her kid signed up for Girl Scouts, her kid needs to be at booth sales. Why should the other girls bust their butts and her daughter gets to reap the benefits?!

Keep us posted on what happens at the meeting tomorrow.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Craigslist?

 

[brookmey]

Do you need the leaders approval to set up a booth?
I don't see why you, cookie mom and maybe a few others couldn't band together and sell your allotted cookies at the colleges on your own. She seems insistent on you taking a cut and she doesn't seem to care where the money comes from so this might be your best option.

Sounds like your leader has thrown in the towel and gone rogue.

And I'm sorry but her kid signed up for Girl Scouts, her kid needs to be at booth sales. Why should the other girls bust their butts and her daughter gets to reap the benefits?!

Keep us posted on what happens at the meeting tomorrow.

No, we don't really need the leader's approval, but she has a pretty strong personality and the cookie mom does not, so I think the cookie mom is having trouble doing things without the leader's approval. The leader and her daughter can be intimidating, so I think they're used to having things done their way. I'm not intimidated by strong personalities and either is DD, so I think our addition has thrown off troop dynamics. The troop has been together since Daisies and DD is new this year. I've been very careful about what I say and how I present my ideas, but I'm also not going to sit back and do everything the leader says without exploring other possibilities.

The leader's daughter has gone to the past 3 cookie booths, but she just sits there and will only collect the money. If she can't have that job, she won't do anything else. And the leader lets her and expects the other girls to give up their turn collecting money so her daughter can keep that job. I would rather have a cookie booth without her because the other 6 girls cooperate with each other and take turns.

DD is done with this troop at the end of the year. I've decided that I'm going to volunteer to be DD's leader next year and I've already started talking to the moms of some of her school friends to join me.

 

[Stephg1977]

Do you attend church? Could you maybe ask fellow congregants to buy or people at work. The college campus idea was great...but family and friends out oftown might buy. Just a couple suggestion.

 

[bumbershoot]

The leader does not like the idea of setting up a booth at the local community college. She said she's done doing booths (her daughter refuses to work them because they're boring)

Isn't that lovely of them?



Gosh, no, don't set up at a college, filled with hungry students or anything where the boxes would be gone in half an hour! (sarcasm not directed at a dis'er at all, just at the universe for someone deliberately not putting a booth at a place with college students)