For the 2005-6 school year we tried using the School Tool Box Company.....Oh what a mistake. We have an elementary school with 1200 kids. We had never done this before, we gave them the lists the team teachers gave us for each grade. They never gave us advice on how to better set it up. The date is was suppose to arrive 1 week(before school started) never showed up, no call, couldn't get thru to them. Rescheduled again no show.,When they finally showed it was 2pm the day before open house. Nothing was sorted by grade. They lie when they say it all comes in 1 box per kids (you get 1 box, 1 bag then you have to add the soap, paper towels, baggies, paper plates, etc...) it took us hours to sort thru everything and get it delivered. Then they said order extra with no risk. they never told us we had to pay for the shipping back. and again the truck never showed up for 3 scheduled pickup dates. at a profit of $5 per box. I think we ended up loosing money. and was not worth all the work.

Carolyn:
May I suggest using Schoolkidz? The kits do come individually boxed and labeled for each child. You take preorders in the spring for the exact number that you need, so there are no returns. We add on a flat $2 per kit and the company offers extra % off for meeting their deadlines.
In a school of about 325 kids, we make close to $1000 each year. Hope this helps; sorry about your bad experience!

Our school uses School ToolBox and loves it! I'm so sorry you had a bad experience. I can't imagine such a thing happening. We had our boxes delivered on time, all ready to go. The tie on bags for the extra items that do not fit in the box are color coordinated! That is a very nice service. I would hope that you would give them another try. I have priced out a lot of the companies, and they have the best prices. We do it as a service to our parents, not as a fundraiser. The parentss really appreciate it and the kids love carrying their boxes to school on the first day! The teachers like knowing the students will be getting all the supplies they requested. I would contact the company and voice your concerns. It is not very nice to bad mouth a company on a message board. (Just my opinion!) It is nice of you to coordinate this for you school. The parents appreciate it.

I have been coordinting our school supply program for the last 5 years using School Tool Box. I started using them after a bad experience with another company. I have found them to be very on the ball. The product has always arrived on time and undamaged. Their office staff and local representative have always been very helpful in assisting me with getting the best products for my teachers.

They started putting the bulk items in color coded bags a couple of years ago. This has worked out great and made delivery even easier. The old company I used just sent everything in boxes and I had to figure out who got what and how many.

Regarding the shipping cost or returnning items. They have always helped me order my extra boxes with the understanding that I would get a refund for them but had to pay for the shipping back. I have never had to return any boxes!

It sounds like this was your first year doing this program. Before you write them off and pay more through schoolpak give them a call and talk to them about your concerns. They have ALWAYS bent over backward for my school. I know they will do right by you. There are days where I will call the office 5 times in order to get something just right. Renee knows my voice! Stay in contact with them this time and I am sure you will have a great experience.