Kind Of OT...but some help needed

[AdventureGuru]

This is kind of off the topic...but I'm hoping...and almost positive you can all help.
I am a volunteer at a local hospital and the department that I work on just got the ok for funds to get trial size soaps and stuff for parents when their kids are in the hospital.
We looked at minimus.biz but their prices aren't exactly competitive. We've looked at some hotel websites...which are competitive-but you have to buy some ridiculous quantity that we just do not have the space for...after all where are you supposed to store something like 200-300 tubes of toothpaste???

So, the question is...is there any sites out there that have competative prices, that we can purchase lower quantities of???

Any insight is greatly appreciated!
Guru

 

[princessdisneybelle]

This is kind of off the topic...but I'm hoping...and almost positive you can all help.
I am a volunteer at a local hospital and the department that I work on just got the ok for funds to get trial size soaps and stuff for parents when their kids are in the hospital.
We looked at minimus.biz but their prices aren't exactly competitive. We've looked at some hotel websites...which are competitive-but you have to buy some ridiculous quantity that we just do not have the space for...after all where are you supposed to store something like 200-300 tubes of toothpaste???

So, the question is...is there any sites out there that have competative prices, that we can purchase lower quantities of???

Any insight is greatly appreciated!
Guru

I got trial size toothpaste at Walmart for .25 each. Kmart had theirs cheap too.

 

[myprincessgirlisa]

This is kind of off the topic...but I'm hoping...and almost positive you can all help.
I am a volunteer at a local hospital and the department that I work on just got the ok for funds to get trial size soaps and stuff for parents when their kids are in the hospital.
We looked at minimus.biz but their prices aren't exactly competitive. We've looked at some hotel websites...which are competitive-but you have to buy some ridiculous quantity that we just do not have the space for...after all where are you supposed to store something like 200-300 tubes of toothpaste???

So, the question is...is there any sites out there that have competative prices, that we can purchase lower quantities of???

Any insight is greatly appreciated!
Guru

have yout thought about email major companies like procor & gamblle to see if they offer some type of program or direct discounts since its for a hospital??

I know that there are a few stores that if you talk to the store mgr, they do qty discounts as well, but its a lot of phone calls & asking


that might be an option??

 

[AdventureGuru]

Awsome!
This is the stuff I need. I'll pass it along to my supervisor.

 

[jasonandlisa]

I found some good deals at dollardays.com for my welcome baskets -- they sell wholesale to Dollar Stores. Case sizes vary.

 

[aprincess72]

Every year I collect stuff for a local program that puts together backpacks for kids going into foster care. I am able to get much of it donated by going to different companies. For toothpaste I had a friend who is a rep for Oral B and she gave me 100 kid's toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, & dental floss packs.
Try a local dentist too! If nothing else they can put you in touch with a local rep!

 

[AdventureGuru]

thank you thank you thank you...
This really puts me in a good direction to look for stuff...or at least pass on the word that it is possible to find stuff cheaply...
Thanks

 

[mermaidbride1108]

Here's my expertise for ya... not sure if it could work, but here goes...

Why not have a sponsor for the soaps? I worked at a pharmacuetical media agency before my job at CW and they used to buy massive quatitites of items and send it (free!) to doctor's offices to get the brand name out there.

I second the idea of Contacting P&G and I would also say contact GSK, they promote their sensodyne brand

Just be sure to say how many people their product will be exposed to (big companies just love getting their product in people's hands) and through it the phrase 'exclusive toothbrush of our yada yada yada program' they love that too.

or you could try a retailer like Target or Walmart and promise to put their logo and 'this product available at Target/Walmart'

When contacting major corps, get the message across that not only is it for a charitable cause, its beneficial to them also and low cost publicity!

Hope that helps!

 

[AdventureGuru]

Here's my expertise for ya... not sure if it could work, but here goes...

Why not have a sponsor for the soaps? I worked at a pharmacuetical media agency before my job at CW and they used to buy massive quatitites of items and send it (free!) to doctor's offices to get the brand name out there.

I second the idea of Contacting P&G and I would also say contact GSK, they promote their sensodyne brand

Just be sure to say how many people their product will be exposed to (big companies just love getting their product in people's hands) and through it the phrase 'exclusive toothbrush of our yada yada yada program' they love that too.

or you could try a retailer like Target or Walmart and promise to put their logo and 'this product available at Target/Walmart'

When contacting major corps, get the message across that not only is it for a charitable cause, its beneficial to them also and low cost publicity!

Hope that helps!

Thats Awsome!
Now I just have to see how much they will allow us to ask for outside donations and stuff...but these are great ideas!
Thanks