Not a fan of fundraisers…How about you?

One the reasons I strongly dislike them is that 99% of the time I am asked to either buy something that I’d never purchase in the first place and just don’t want. Or, I’m asked to buy something that is grossly inflated so I get frustrated at having to pay a higher price through this fundraiser. I’m sure you can think of something you purchased that you simply bought because you felt cornered, guilty, or obligated. 

2.) Don’t try to sell to someone who you know probably can’t or won’t use your product. If you know someone is a diabetic, then don’t try selling them a chocolate bar they can’t eat. Or sell a candle to someone who has severe allergies.

3.) Don’t sell for your kids. For me the one positive when it comes to fundraising are the life lesson that your kid’s can learn. For instance, many people will say no and it’s important to still be gracious. They also can feel the satisfaction of EARNING the $ themselves. 

4.) Don’t try selling to someone under stress, in the middle of something at work, or really busy. Please don’t ring the bell during the dinner hour. If you wouldn’t appreciate it then your customers feel the same way.

5.) Don’t ask someone to buy something or donate to a cause that you are fully aware they don’t support. 

6.) No bullying, peer pressuring, or intimidating. Go ahead and ask but if you are told no, simply accept it and move on. Make the conversation a positive one even when they say no.

When I give the girls on my volleyball team the green light on a fundraiser, I try and consider these rules. This upcoming Fall we will be having a fundraiser selling mattresses to a company that brings in every type of mattress you could find in a store. They have zero overhead so that means the person purchasing the mattresses actually pays less than they would in the store and our volleyball team gets a percentage of the sale. When it’s not a hard sale, it’s a win, win. 

Try to remember: We all have hundreds, if not thousands of causes and people we would love to give too, but unfortunately have to pay the bills too. It’s all about balance. We may not give to your cause, but might be extremely generous in other areas. Try not to judge. 

So this is where you can chime in. What do you think? If someone asks you to buy something do you buy out of obligation or because you want to buy the item?