Do you feel obligated to purchase something from those catalogs of useless stuff the kids sell around the holidays? I have one on my desk now... Do I have to buy something?
2007-09-13 09:15:52 · 22 answers · asked by keykitoo 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
DO IT!
Its for the kids. Sure, its a waste of $10 and by the time you pick out 5 things and pay tax and shipping, its like $100, but the kid wins the prize and they are happy!!
2007-09-13 09:28:33 · answer #1 · answered by Erin 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No. If you say to the person that gave you the catalog that money is tight for you right now, they should understand.
I do agree that when you buy from one, you end up having to contribute to almost everyone that asks.
There was a woman, where i used to work, that had a catalog and passed it around. Because she had decent products offered, her kid won! (A TV set and $500 gift certificate is not a bad incentive for a kid!)
Next year, she was passing another catalog around! The Human Resource Dept told her that it was prohibited and the catalog was no longer seen on the premises.
You might want to inform your HR Dept of what is happening as they most likely, have rules governing solicitation by anyone.
Turning down what is essentially extortion in a company is difficult. Everyone should have a workplace free of distractions.
I cannot help but recall the problem faced with fathers selling stag party tickets to their son's party. They tell reluctant buyers that, "If you don't buy one to my son's party, I won't buy one when your son or daughter has one." The problem is that he person selling the tickets has five sons and two daughters. I asked him that when I get married, is he going to buy seven tickets? He just walked away very disgusted.
2007-09-13 17:01:17 · answer #2 · answered by bigmanbiggerheart 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you aren't obligated to buy anything. I always buy from kids, even if it is just a little something. My kids bring home fundraiser stuff, and I HATE taking it around. I sent it to work with dh this week (that might be mine on your desk lol) but just told him to throw it on the table in the break room, and if nobody bought anything, so be it. I think there are a LOT better options out there for fundraising than the catalogs, and the return on those is minimal!
2007-09-13 16:21:03 · answer #3 · answered by Kelly C 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, you are not obligated at all. Back in the old days, the kids went door to door and did the selling themselves. With all the pervs out there, plus laziness on the kid's part, parents are stuck with this chore now.
I just tell the people that I do not enjoy sweets very much, and for me that is the truth. No candy bars or cookies for me! You can always use this, say you are on a diet, or that your own relatives hit you up already. Be pleasant and there will be no hard feelings if you refuse to buy this stuff.
2007-09-13 17:39:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are actually some really great things in some of the catalogs at better prices than I'd pay at a store.
Besides that though, YES---I think you should support fundraisers for schools. You get so much in return. First you get the tangible items you ordered and secondly you get to continue enjoying a relatively healthy nation.
It is basic economics. Societies that are more educated are more productive---and those that are more productive create a higher standard of loving for everyone; even those who don't have children themselves. It is proven that people who live in countries with the highest GNP enjoy better health care and live longer than those that don't.
Cliche, I know, but children are our future. Many schools are greatly underfunded. In the area I live in, for example, there are not enough honors classes to accommodate all the students that qualify. Why? Because overall in some schools, test scores are too high---so the schools don't qualify for extra funding needed to open up additional classes. Go figure. That means that kids who can operate at a much higher level are only producing a fraction of their capabilities because there is not enough room in more advanced classes. Policy is, once the classes are full, that's it!
So think of it this way, you are doing much more than helping your co-workers or their kids. You are helping to perpetuate U.S. success over time.
Maybe during your lunch hour, you can peruse your catalogs with a new eye. Enjoy!
2007-09-13 16:44:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope! I have 3 kids (college through elementary) and I NEVER let my kids sell at my husband's work for exactly this reason! It puts coworkers in an awkward position. I also limit which fundraisers my kids participate in. (I usually don't let the kids do the sell wrapping paper one.) I don't like the fact that the kids compete with each other for the "prizes." I don't like that they make the kids go to assemblies regarding these fundraisers, giving the impression that you're not faithful to your school if you don't participate. Our family is very supportive of our schools (I am on the PTA board) and we DO participate in other fundraisers that do not include begging coworkers for money, basically.
This year, our school did away with ALL fundraisers like this and are asking each family to donate through a fund drive. Simple!
If you're wondering what to say, you can just make it easy on yourself with something like, "I can't right now." Or, "Oh, another kid already caught me at home," or something. No biggie, no obligation!
2007-09-13 16:38:16 · answer #6 · answered by betternher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how close you are to the co worker. If you go to lunch together you should probably buy something. If you make small talk around the water cooler, not obligated but maybe something small if you can afford it. If they don't even know your name, throw away the catalog.
2007-09-13 16:28:27 · answer #7 · answered by mable3691214 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could say you already bought something from your neighbor, niece etc. - I'm sure the parent just wants their child to win the prize for selling so many items. It is a load off the parent to have others buy things - so they won't have to. I'm sure the parent convinces herself (or himself) that they are doing a good deed for you also - unless your office is really small - I'm sure they'll just move on to the next customer - or just buy the smallest thing there is - if you really feel obligated.
2007-09-13 16:22:12 · answer #8 · answered by Greg H 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No don't buy that cheap stuff that they get from the dollar store and then turn around and charge you ten dollars for that crap! Then when the kids sell a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff they get a freakin sling shot! Not worth it! But anything to make the kids happy!
2007-09-13 16:19:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i hate those things. we just got one from our son's school. we aren't selling. you don't have to buy anything. once you start, every co worker you have will expect you to buy from their kids too. as a parent, i know the stuff is usually expensive and not worth the money so i don't even ask people. some schools make it mandatory to sell, ours doesn't. also, there are usually incentive prizes for kids to sell more and parents feel bad if their kid doesn't get something. that's why they bring them to work. don't waste your money and don't feel obligated.
2007-09-13 18:41:55 · answer #10 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you do not. However, remember that fundraisers help raise money for the child's school/girl scout group/ band, etc... . My daughter sells nuts & cookies for her Girl Scout troup. They take a portion of what they earn (and it's a nominal amount, most of the cost goes to pay for the product) and donate it to the SPCA. They use the remainder for group activities like bowling or going to the movies. My oldest son had to sell coupon cards to raise money for his school's band trip. They had a competition at Bush Gardens and the money raised help to offset the entry fee.
I guess you have to ask yourself if it's too much of a hassle spenging $10 to support whatever cause this child is involved in.
2007-09-13 16:31:33 · answer #11 · answered by Michele 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋