Kids Selling in Front of Stores...

I dislike being asked how I am today by strangers. I'd not do that. What do you mean by getting in their face? I'd go along with a cheerful hello and the statement or worded as a question that we're selling popcorn for the cub scouts. Make is brief. If they pause then ask if they'd like to buy some. If they keep walking move on to the next person. Perhaps that is what you're having them do.

Honestly, I usually go in the opposite door. I never have cash. I feel bad saying no thanks.

With that said, I have found a pleasant and casual "Hello, (or Good Morning) would you like to buy popcorn for BS?" worked just fine. Oh, and I have had a problem with boys stepping in front of me to say that. I've run into several of them, not expecting them to do that!! So long as their sticking out of people's direct way, I don't see why anyone would have a problem with them. I've never personally seen a boy scout getting into anyone's face.

Good morning/afternoon! We're selling popcorn to support the Boy Scouts today. How many would you like to buy?

You have to keep it simple. We do this for Girl Scout cookie booth.

Oh my, brings me back to when my daughter and her troop sold cookies. A troop dad and I used to accompany the girls (in their uniforms), but we dressed in season, scarecrows for the fall and once even, Santa and the Mrs. for December. That caught everyones attention good-naturedly, we never said a thing, but it stopped the customers and gave the girls a few more seconds to make the pitch. Great sales! Lots of cold, raw Saturday mornings outside the bank. Now I never pass up the chance to either buy or give a donation to children selling fund-raisers in a group.

In the interest of time, I'd dispense with the pleasantries and stick to, "Hello, would you like to buy some delicious popcorn to help support the Cub Scouts?"

Just be sure to let your kids know that if they annoy the customers, the customers will complain to the store and they may no longer be allowed to sell there.

You know where else is a good place to sell? At tailgate parties before football games! When I was in HS I sold a TON of candy bars (World's Finest $1) to tailgaters at the MN Viking games.

I like your sentiment, but I think it's too much. I think something short & sweet is good. I don't think what you say will really change who's going to buy. Either the people have money, or they don't, or they want to buy, or they don't. I wish I could buy from every kid that asked me, but I can't. I hate saying no. Most of the time it's because I have no cash or I've already purchased from that organization.

Way too much to say. Normally people are literally walking by you as you speak, so you're lucky if you have time to say, "Good morning, would you care to buy some popcorn to support the Boy Scouts?"

Have the boys position themselves so that people have to walk next to them, but make sure they do not stand in people's paths. Most of the customers have made up their minds before they even get to the front door of the store, so as long as the boys are friendly and not too pushy I wouldn't worry too much.

Relax! Cute, friendly kids will sell popcorn and show the Boy Scouts in a positive light.

I've had children ask me before if I would like to buy candy and most of the time they never said good morning or anything but I was never offended or anything. I was actually kind of proud of them for being brave enough to stand there and put themselves out there like that. It's hard for some kids to be rejected. But I think if they said Hello Good Morning, it would make it a lot better and they may sale more for the greeting. Good luck and I hope they sell lots of popcorn!

Hi cheryl,
I can't stand when a kid follows me and runs me down to ask me to buy something. I even had a kid knock on my window once I wanted to roll his fingers up in it! J/k. I think that's a lovely idea
If I knew it was y'all id buy it anyways :) good luck!

If they are in uniform, have smiles and are as polite as can be while shouting POPCORN for SCOUTS you should be fine. They need to get then interested before they can be too polite they are kids you know.

Skip the Hello--How are you today?" It's too long, I think. Def do the greeting: Hello OR How are you today, Good day, Good afternoon, etc. Would you like to support the Cub Scouts by purchasing some delicious popcorn?" If they say no, he could perhaps add, "We have many different delicious varieties."--or "It's a very heart healthy snack!"--etc...You get the drift.

And/or just have them be their cute li'l sweet, Cub Scout selves and people will buy the yummy popcorn because they are SO adorable AND the fact that BSA is a great organization! Make sure he smiles at everyone and are very polite and they look nice, representing the BSA!

He will do fine! Let us know how it goes. My son has done it 2x but he's not home now or I would ask him what he says.

One last thing! No matter what the person says, have him say "Thank you" to everyone he asks even if they say no.

Let them know you can take a Visa.
I'm glad we signed up 3 weeks ago, it was still warm.
Our kids are not allowed to leave a certain perimeter.
THey usually have time to say Boy Scout Popcorn, it's really good.
If I were closer I'd come get some, but then that would be defecting to a different pack right?

Oh last year we sold the single packs that were left over for $1. We just opened the microwavepacks sold them separately and sold them all. People were happy to spend $2 or $3 instead of $18.

I've spent endless hours in front of stores selling girl scout cookies and candy for school. I think it's very important not to bombard potential customers. Last week the BSA was selling popcorn, first a young BS in the lobby asked very politely, I said no thank you. Then I hit the door and it's blocked by a parent and BS who ask me again, then a third time as I'm walking past the table. Now I didn't want any popcorn, but was going to other a small donation, however, after that sorry no way.

Usually a simple "good morning" or a "would you like to buy some popcorn and support BSA?" If a person is interested they will walk over to your booth.

your way.
and our scout troop is only preselling cookies using the forms.
our old leader nearly got ALL girl scouts banned from walmart because she made the girls ask in the most obnoxious way.

I LIKE how Target does it. No sales in front of stores and they donate.

I would LOVE an organized, uniform group that was that polite! Around here you have supposed jr. high and high school football players panhandling at red lights and in parking lots with their football helmets or wandering between cars at the grocery store with boxes of M&Ms to sell. Who knows if they're legit or what? They barely grunt out what it is they're wanting, and often, even when they are set up in front of a store with parents, the parents are disconnected and somewhat rude as well. I've told more than a few that if they want money, they need to have on their uniform and an official sign or something from the club or school and be legitimately set up at the store. Sounds like your guys were doing great!

It is not so much the in your face but the don't take no responses that get to me. Like girl scouts selling in front of the store. Do you want any cookies, no my daughter sells them, just one box or something like that.... Okay sugar britches you know how many your mom bought from you do you really think I need one more box?

I think, "Good morning, would you like support our cub scouts pack? We have some delicious items for sale."

Is it a "pack"? Girl scouts are troops. Forgive me, my son didn't do scouts so I wasn't sure what their groups are called.
A lot of the kids at our stores have a little table with the order forms, etc. They make a banner or sign. That way, it's pretty obvious what's going on.
I think it's really cute if the kids have their uniforms on. They should always be smiling and polite. AND, they should be prepared for grouchy people and not take it personally. It's the Girl Scout and Boy Scout selling time. One of the gals at work got permission to put out a sign up sheet for girl scout cookies and another co-worker got mad because her son is selling boy scout popcorn. Oy.
Anyway, as far as in front of stores, I usually prefer to check things out after I've done my shopping. Maybe it's just me, but I prefer to be asked if I'm interested when I come out. Especially if I've clearly seen the table and the kids on my way in.
Polite, non pushy kids are usually more successful.

Best wishes and good luck!!

Usually around here they are sitting at a table in front of the store, so I don't feel like they are in my face. If they are in their scout uniform, looking adorable, and say something charming like, "Good morning (they could even add a Miss or a Ma'am), my heart would melt and I would have a really hard time saying no.

Yes, getting in people's faces reminds people of entitled youngsters, whereas a polite statement makes them think this generation isn't going all to hell, so I think that's the best plan. I agree with skipping the how are you. Too long.

Just a "hello, would you like to support our troop by buying some popcorn?" would do for me. I bought some from one pack but then 2 days later there was another pack selling the same stuff at the same store. I like to support them but to the next one I just said I bought Kettle corn (very good by the way) 2 days ago for $18. I was also offered single packs.

I think if you're sitting there with a sign, people know what you're doing. When we sold chocolate at Walmart we weren't allowed to go within 15 feet of the doors. The girls made signs that said "$1 World's Finest Chocolate" and held them up. If a person slowed down then they'd say "Good morning/afternoon! Would you care to buy some chocolate to support our team?" They didn't bother with the people that were obviously ignoring them or going out of their way not to go near. In this manner I don't think they annoyed anyone and we sold lots of chocolate!

I'm all about fundraising for kids. But honestly, this is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves. When the kids approach you, politely or not, it almost makes you feel like a spotlight is on you, and if you say no, you're big a jerk lol

I feel like having a big sign next to your table or booth explaining what you are selling and for how much is enough. Where I live, our Walmart has been CRAWLING w/ all sorts of people at the door approaching us for money. Everything from cookies, pictures, candy bars, Disability charities you name. It's gotten maddening! I'm all about donating, and I'm all about supporting fundraisers. But I am much more likely to when no one is actually approaching me. Maybe it's just me, but that's how I feel!!

Hi! I'd buy either way - I always buy from kids. I think most people prefer it when the kids stay close to the table (where their parents are) and just say something like, "Would you like to buy some popcorn for Cub Scouts?" If you wait for a response to "Good morning, how are you today?" people might already be past your table and in the store.

Sorry you got such bad weather. If it makes you feel better, I was watching 5-year-olds play soccer in the rain in McLean! I still can't feel my toes.

Luckily I was out selling popcorn with my son's troop last weekend, when it was still nice:-). We separated the boys into groups of 2 and had them stand to the front one to the left and the other to the right sides and one group got the people coming from their side and the other got the people coming from their side. That way the customers weren't bombarded by too many kids. They asked the people if they would like to buy some popcorn and whatever the answer I made sure they responded with a "thank you, have a great day". I don't think its too much nor getting in everyones face. I personally find these kids less in your face than TV commercials whatever their selling technique is.

Well I do not like the in your face approach and have no problem saying "No thank you to any age." While I say that I also think that what you are trying to teach them is good manners, I also know that when I go shopping I would breeze past them with a "No thank you" I would not stop to chat for a converstational "I am doing well and you?" (unless I was already planning to purchase.So I don't think that would work either. I think a polite "Would like to buy some popcorn?" would be plenty for the scouts. Have scouts take turns asking so that when store patrons walk by they are not getting shouted out by several boys at once. Also maybe practice before the boys get to the store. Having the several boys shouting at another boy passing boy and then try the one boy asking ask a boy walks by to see which they find more appealing as a customer. I assume that they are dressed in their uniform so anyone will see that they are boy scouts trying to raise money. Personally I buy fundraisers from students at the school where I work or from kids that I know them/their parents personally so I do not stop and buy from other students at store fronts. - Maybe also try people you know then tell them you will pay for them to have another bag of popcorn for every 5 orders they collect for you. (like a referral bonus plan.)

obviously when walking up to the store i will notice someone selling something so i dont really need a long winded explanation. i like the ones that maybe yell out every so often that they have popcorn for sale to benefit the cub scouts or quietly say when people come out of the store, would you like to buy some popcorn to help out the cub scouts? then when someone says no dont banter them afterwards just move on to the next person. if someone wants popcorn they are sure to come to you without even needing to probably be asked. i know i dont have to be asked when i see girl scout cookies. i just get all excited and wobble over there. good luck! oh and sense you do take credit id make a big sign that says we accept visa check and cash and so on. whatever you accept so that people dont think in their heads that they cant get any because they dont have cash on them:)

We do this for BMX and the donations go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We raise at least $500 each few hours we work the doors. I appreciate so many people giving even if it is only a dollar or two. Each dollar adds up.

I do dislike the salesmen that are selling stuff I don't need, like crosses, I really don't need them, I don't decorate using them. I would like it if they would just ask for donations instead.

I think the kids get so many donations because they are polite and ask questions like "Would you like to make a donation to cancer research?" and "Can I give you some information about BMX?". The kids always get the huge donations, like $20's....