I have been researching catalog companies all year after our last catalog company really took a dive. This years Sept 2002 company was terrible. Because I had only been the President for a half a year last year I decided to just use the same company figuring I would be safe they would be ok since they were used last year. Wish I could have had Hind sight. Anyway. I have looked at over 30 catalog companies catalog. And talked with more than that over the phone and in person. My biggest selling points were.
1. Prize progam for the kids. If there isnt one do not use the company. And look to see if it is tendered for not just elementary in prize types but if you have a high school to make sure that they are not getting "baby prizes".
2. Quality of the companies products. Ask for a "free sample" If they do not give "free samples" do not use the company. Ask to look at last years catalog along with this years catalog to compare if the company used items from last year in this years catalog it means they had lots of "Leftovers".
3. Ask for references. If they had Thank you letters they will be most willing to send them to you. You can find out by calling them if they are local (to save on long-distance) and see how they rated.
4. Look for and take advice from folks on here. They know from past experiences who is and who isnt a quality company.
This next year Sept 2003 I am using 2 different catalog companies. One for my elementary and One for my middle school. Mainly because the prize program was not tendered for the Middle school age in the Elementary Company. If it had been I would have used One company. I will post in the results in the fall. Oh and the free samples we use as door prizes during out Open House Night/Ice Cream Social at the school.

We had a Skate night this year, only it was organized by the Student Government. The skate rink charges the organizing group a set price for each person and you charge whatever you want.

mykids--Have you described your skate parties on here before? If not can you give me more detail? How many attend? What time of day do your host these? WKend? What age group. Does it cost PTO anything to host? Etc.? If you've already given us this infor and I missed it--let me know what string to search under. Thanks!!!

IMove- If your like me (and I have a sneaky feeling you are [img]smile.gif[/img] ) dig up your past contracts and show this companywhat you are used to recieving. I would say if this company says "well isn't that special" you saw you bet, keep the event (too much of a nightmare to cancel) and show your board THIS IS what we it can be like! Was the company you used before local? I'm running into the same issue with the skate parties we use as a fundraiser. There is a rink ACROSS the street from us but LAUGHED when I asked "can you offer me $1.50 per skater?" SO many of the parents have a little farther to drive but WOW has our attendance tripled! Okay back to you.... what could it hurt? You and I know sometimes those old shoes of ours fit so nice but it doesn't hurt to look at a new pair and maybe even buy them!

IMovePeople,

If it were me, I would let them know what incentives other companies have offered and ask if they would renegotiate. I would advise them that as it stands that under these terms the school PTO would not use their services again.

RJR

JUSTHINKIN - The company that we had all the problems is one that you mentioned as going to be coming out to talk to you. I won't mention which one until Tim says it's o.k. - and I promise to TRY to keep it strictly to the facts, but the experience was NOT a good one and I told that group (I'm not far far away, unfortunately) that if they use them again I'll come back to haunt them. You can email me if you like and I'd be happy to give you my opinion in "private".

What I will say is trust your gut!