Fundraisers @ work

[blarg314]

Personally I don't mind a brochure or sign up sheet left in the coffee room, but I would be annoyed by email messages, as I get enough junk mail already and don't need to deal with more.

[kareng57]

Personally I don't mind a brochure or sign up sheet left in the coffee room, but I would be annoyed by email messages, as I get enough junk mail already and don't need to deal with more.

The same at my workplace - we all already get bombarded with messages that someone decides to send out to everyone in the company that have nothing to do with us.  I'd be fine with a notice in a common-area such as the lunchroom or washroom though.  As others have said, some people actually are eager to buy these things but haven't been able to find anyone selling them.  However, I think it's nice if the child pens some sort of message (or even draws a picture if he/she is very young) saying something like "hi, I'm a Beaver and my Scout group is selling popcorn.  We use the money for craft supplies and field trips.  My Mom has order forms, thank you very much".

[LadyJaneinMD]

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a freak.  I Love those things!!   I don't always buy, but I love looking at the brochures and thinking of what to buy, and I love having a Girl Scout cookie fix every year.  As someone who had to sell that crap while in school, I'm happy to help someone else sell it. 
I've gotten to the point where I don't buy something if I don't need it, and that's that.  Saying no doesn't bother me anymore, so there's no problem.  However, I work in a nearly-all-male workplace, so I don't see much of that stuff anymore.

[Please pass the Calgon]

This used to happen at DH's work. He's kind of a pushover and bought tons of stuff from his co-workers, even though with most he'd never met their kids. He justified it saying "Well, when our kids are old enough co-workers will buy from us, that's how it works." The same year that our oldest started getting FR materials at school the HR department at DH's job sent out a memo banning that stuff from the job site. They can't even leave a form on the break table or stuck on the bulletin board.

Poor DD has been "blessed" with a mom who isn't paying $8.00 for a single roll of wrapping paper when she can get the mega-Costco pack of it for the same price OR $12 for a bucket of cookie dough when she can make it for 1/2 the price and without all the additive junk. Poor kid. We don't have family, aside from Grandma, in the area. DH and I are both against e-mailing "Please buy this junk" to our extended family who we see 1-2 times per year. Our circle of friends agreed not to hit eachother up for this junk. DH's work was her last option. I went to the school office to ask how much they hoped to raise per kid and write them a check....they looked at me like I had 2 heads!

[Cz. Burrito]

I usually just ignore the fundraisers, but nobody here has ever been really in-your-face about it.  The only time I've bought something at work was earlier this month.  My mouth seemed to be operating faster than my brain, so when my co-worker asked me if I wanted to buy any Girl Scout cookies, I glanced at the order form and informed him that his kid was selling bad cookies.  I felt guilty, so I bought two boxes.   

[FoxPaws]

I went to the school office to ask how much they hoped to raise per kid and write them a check....they looked at me like I had 2 heads!

Two moms I know told me their kids' activities (dance team and little league) actually offered the chance to "opt out" for a set fee. They both jumped at the chance.

[kareng57]

I went to the school office to ask how much they hoped to raise per kid and write them a check....they looked at me like I had 2 heads!

Two moms I know told me their kids' activities (dance team and little league) actually offered the chance to "opt out" for a set fee. They both jumped at the chance.

I would too, and have done so.  If each player is required to sell, say, two cases of chocolates, I don't see why the parents couldn't ask the organizers what the profit on each case is and write a cheque for an equivalent amount.  If the organization is a registered charity they might even be able to get a tax deduction.