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Permalink Reply by Melissa Baber on September 2, 2011 at 12:01am

So how does this work? Does the rescues have to buy it all up front? Is this only for Indy area rescues? You mentioned that it is shipped to their door? If so then does the $25 include the shipping fees or what? We are a very small rescue but we are on FB and have some fans and friends...Melissa Baber

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Permalink Reply by Amanda K McFarland on September 2, 2011 at 10:28am

My son is a Senior in high school,  as well as two sport athlete.  To say I have done almost every fundraiser imaginable is not stretching the truth.  I absolutely dreaded each and every fundraiser I’ve ever participated in!   Mostly because the items being sold were overpriced  junk plus I felt uncomfortable soliciting from friends/family/co-workers....when I know they have no extra money, but they would buy to save their pride or to support my son....or perhaps I had bought some junk their kids were selling so they feel obligated. 

EVERYONE USES LAUNDRY SOAP!  (lets hope! LOL) So this will sell its self.

 

Here is how  it would work:

 

I am trying to generate enough interest from rescue groups so I can order the buckets in a large quantity. 

have to order 8 (I said 5 before....it is eight) skids and each skid has 80 buckets. 

If I don't order that amount, I don't get that price. 

I know I can't sell that amount (within the time frame my card will be charged) so therefore, I am trying to get others on board. 

Each Rescue can make as much $$$$ as they can sell-no limit. 

And you can run this ongoing....give folks enough time to "run low" on their product, then give them a call or email and ask if they would like more.  

It can be any rescue or sports team or church group....whatever

1. My goal is to place my large order the 3rd Week of September (and pay for it with my credit card!  YIKES!!!)  so product will be delivered to me by October 1st.   
2. Once rescues email me their orders and payment, I deliver it to you....(I am doing this as a favor to rescues because I have a hybrid car).  I should have explained that better.  But yes, $25 includes shipping-but to me.
3. I would suggest getting your orders, having folks pay you..... (I can show how to use person to person EZ pay thru Chase Bank-it is FREE and you don't have to have a Chase account-just a checking account-100% safe, confidential and protected.  Folks do not see your account info and you do not see theirs-and it is SO SIMPLE!  It is all done online via email)
4. As I mentioned, if you are having an "event"  try to have several buckets on hand.....doing a cash and carry is much easier than having folks pre-order and then having to deliver. 
5. Take a moment to put a sticker with your info on it....so that when they get close to being out, they can call you for more.

**SOME IDEA'S**

1. Try to get friends, relatives to not only buy, but ask their friends and neighbors if they would like to buy.  I WOULD NEVER HAVE DONE THIS WITH ANOTHER PRODUCT!  (I usually ended up buying all my sons "crap" myself as I was too embarrassed to ask ANYONE to buy it!)
2. Have contests within your organization-The top seller gets a $50 gas card (or whatever). 
3. If you have an adoption event, you could make it part of the "adoption Special"   "Adopt a puppy for $75 and get a FREE 2.5 gallon of Tide with Fa breeze!  This is over a $50 value......absolutely free!   We want you to enjoy your new puppy!  Make sure your clothes STAY smelling nice and clean!"  (I know that sounds corny but I am not an advertising guru!!)  Anyway, EVERYONE LOVES GETTING A FREE DEAL!  Loves to walk away feeling like they got the deal of a lifetime! 
4. Remind folks this makes a FANTASTIC Christmas gift.  Who isn't sick of getting stuff they will never use? 

If I can get rescues on board to start promoting and taking orders, we can finally make some money for our dogs! (or cats)  But I can't seem to generate interest and I am puzzled over why.  I wish Patty would help!  Maybe I will send her a "beg-O-gram" email!  Ha! 

 

Think about it, and let me know if you would like me to send you an order form.  I know this will work as cub scouts are doing it (guess no one bought the popcorn last year!) and sports teams are doing it.  We don't want them getting all the money when our dogs need it more!  

Also, no one realizes the life commitment we (in rescue) make to our cause.  We sacrifice EVERYTHING!  Time, money, career, family, our emotions have run dry.....rescue is so much different than any other "charitable organization".  We never get the money we need for the care the animals deserve....and I don't know about you, but I spend A FORTUNE out of my own pocket every year!   We in rescue need to be fundraising!

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Baber on September 2, 2011 at 12:49pm

So how much would the bottles cost us? So if we sell them for $25 then do we send you the bottle cost and keep the difference from the $25 for our rescue? I too have done lots of different fundraisers and we are a very small rescue but we are in deserate need of monetary help..what is the minimum amount we are allowed to sell? I guess that would be the best questions and we live clear up by Logansport, Indiana so would that be an issue?

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Permalink Reply by Amanda K McFarland on September 3, 2011 at 3:54pm

You can sell as much as you want and can sell-there is no minimum amount. 

 

The issue I am having right now is getting more people committed so I can place this huge order-I am gaining nothing from this.....I just want to help other rescues too!  I have to place an order for 8 skids and each skid contains 80 buckets-that is so I can get the $12.50 price,

 

So for each bucket you sell, u get 12.50 and 12.50 comes back to me to pay my credit card bill! 

 

I am taking all the risk!  I want to do this for my rescue too......I need others on board so I can order that quantity and not be stuck with all that Tide!  (and a huge bill I can't pay)

 

I have no idea where Logansport is but I'm sure I could meet you half way or something-or, in the past when i have had a charitable item that needed transport, I posted an add on craigslist and a truck driver agreed to take it for me at no charge.  There are many nice folks out there willing to help in small ways.

 

I would sell this stuff door to door!  Is there a local pet shop or walmart or something that would let you have buckets on hand and sell to folks as they enter or leave?  (Walmart lets girlscouts do it!  Rescue is just important!)

 

Also, I am deleting this discussion and moving it to the blog forum-might get more attention?  I messaged patty and she suggested I post it as a blog. 

 

I did that already and it has received a total of 7 views and I think three were mine! 

 

I need more rescues on board with this-any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Baber on September 3, 2011 at 4:15pm

How about going to Petfinder and copying all the rescues from Indiana, then get their contact emails and send a group emailto all of the rescues listed. You may get hits off of it..I dont network with any rescues really so maybe doing that or even contacting local papers with info about it so they can contact you to order.

 

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Permalink Reply by Amanda K McFarland on September 3, 2011 at 4:34pm

okay, I will do that now, thanks!  Again my goal is to place my big order the third week of sept.  Would you like me to send you an order form so you can start asking if folks are interested?  This just seems so easy to me....last year I did a bake sale and almost killed myself-it was so much work!  And only made $170!

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Baber on September 3, 2011 at 4:46pm

I am interested definitely...let me talk to the other board members for positive but if we are basically taking orders and all then meeting you somewhere to pick up orders and all then it would be great... Not trying to offend you but I would rather give you the money when I picked up the product if that is o.k. When would the product be delivered to you? If you don't get it for the $12.50 then how much would it be per gallon and how much profit? Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Amanda K McFarland on September 3, 2011 at 6:07pm

If I can't get it for the 12.50 then I just won't do it.  I am basically looking at putting $8000 on my credit card to order at this price so I have to have some interest/orders from rescues.  My goal is to order 3rd week of Sept so product will be here with-in 7 days.  Is Logansport anywhere near Chicago?  That is where this distributer is.....price is cheaper if i can pick it up but I have no visual idea of what eight skids look like!  Also forgot to mention folks can also order Tide with mountain spring and Tide cold water.

 

I don'r mind you giving me the money when you pick up product but it will be easier for me to show you how to do it online-easier for you to collect the money and easier for you to get it to me.....you can "email me the money" after you pick up your order-no problem.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Baber on September 3, 2011 at 6:17pm

Logansport is about 45 minutes north of kokomo and about 3 hours away from chicago. We are about an hour to 1 1/2 hours north of Indianapolis.  We had a dog food donation to a group and it was 8 skids and it was 1/2 a semi full basically! I We are a small very rural community I think people would rather pay by check that way they have record of it and not everyone in this town has access to a computer. Our biggest and only retail store is Walmart basically......I would cash the checks and just give you cash when I met you more than likely. When will you know if you are positively doing this?

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