Why does it seem like everyone is trying to use guilt for money?

Question

My son just started kindergarten and they are already trying to get money from me with a fundraiser by selling products. On one side they want my son to sell things but then say to not let your kid go door-to-door. That leaves relatives and my co-workers. Relatives aren't going to say no and my co-workers are going to feel obligated to buy so then will I when they bring their thing around. I never had one of these when I was growing up!
Also there are all these "home party" companies that get stay at home moms involved by having them get thier friends together and they will get a discount on items based on how much thier friends by. Friends feel obligated to attend and then obligated to buy.

It all stems from the business people knowing people will buy in order to not feel guity for not buying!

Why is this now a social norm?

Answer 1

My children are 30 and 36 and it was happening when they were in elementary school.

This in the way PTA's earn money for special projects.

I'm guessing it will go on until we are all dead.

Just remember you can make a simple donation and buy nothing. Or ignore it all together.

Answer 2

If the stuff sold in stores, they wouldn't have to sell it through home parties - people will buy a candle from Target for $5.00, and then buy basically the same candle through a hoome party for $25, because the extra $20 has to go to all of the sellers (in the pyramid, you get a cut of what those below you sell).

They are relying on your guilt - but you have the ability to say "no thanks" - they call them "parties" instead of "sales calls",

It's called marketing, just watch Saturday cartoons and watch how they make the kids "want" the toys.

If this sales technique stops working, they'll go to new methods - and they have - now they have the "partyless party", where they just give you the books to order stuff and you mail them back, or you can self-order on the internet and put the "code" of the seller.

I don't go to those parties - haven't for alot of years, because it's not my job to hire my friends, and a real friend wouldn't be offended - if they are, I guess they wanted my money and not my friendship after all.

Answer 3

You're right it is becoming a social norm. I don't know if there is a way to combat it, but as guilty as i feel by not purchasing from kids (and fail most times), I do my best to tell them "yeah I already bought one from another kid..." or something similar. I know that it would be a nice gesture to buy from the kid, but if i bought every time from every kid who comes along, i promise you that i would have to have a budget for that seeing how many kids are around the neighborhood. But, unfortunately it's the adults that make those kids do that, and we can't blame the kids...There should really be another system for instance, letting the people know that there is something to buy by putting names in a jar or something and then who ever wants to buy can put their name, instead of getting caught off guard and feeling obligated to buy.
That's my opinion though :)

Answer 4

The teachers are all getting a commission on what the kids sell. Either that, or a bogus "productrion" gift at the end of it all.

And the teachers don't give a crap about how inconvenient this is for you, the parent.

Just be sure you don't run afoul of any office policy while selling enough that the teacher gets her set of alumunium tableware for eight.

Answer 5

I don't understand this niether. My son had 3 fundraisers already this year ( they only been in school for a month and half).

Answer 6

My recommendations are two-fold

First, learn to say "No" to sales techniques (you need to be tough and hold your ground to do this).

Second, don't let your child go door-to-door - ALONE! Go with him or her.

Answer 7

Just don't participate in these moneymaking schemes...