“Leaving money on the table” is a central theme of the popcorn sale.  Surveys show that most potential customers will buy at least one product, but most potential customers are never asked to buy popcorn.  This is “money left on the table” when you consider how many potential sales are missed because a Scout simply does not walk around the block to make sales.  Or, not all Scout units are selling popcorn.

30% of the sales pay for the the product.  Of the remaining 70%, nearly 38% is returned to units in commission and prizes, 12% covers other council expenses, and 20% goes toward program and services.

The average Scout-sale last year was $125 gross, or $47 in commission and prizes.  How much does your unit need to fund a year of exciting program providing what the Scouts put in their plan?  How much do you need to keep parents from reaching for their wallet?  $47 can go a long way toward registration and Boy’s Life fees, badges, camp fees, or making that special field trip?  A motivated Scout can easily sell over $350 by making sales around the neighbhorhood.  What does $350 in sales provide to your unit treasury?

Key dates for the sale:

May 29           Unit commitment due

July 30           Show and Sell Orders Due

August 15      Distribution- Show and Sell orders

September 1  Scout promotion mailer distributed

By Sept. 8       Kickoff- in each district (not roundtable)

Sept. 8              Take Order Sale begins

Sept. 15            Payment Due- Show and Sell

October 2        Recognition event- mid-sale (tbd)

October 17     Sale Ends

October 22      Orders due to council (popcorn/ prizes)

November 17  Distribution of popcorn (each district)

November 17  Payment due

November 30  Payment checks deposited

Sale commission plan: 

Basic commission:  25%

Bonus for the following of 5%:  attend kickoff, on-time product/prize order, on-time payment

Bonus for the following of 3%:  achieve average sale of $350 gross per registered member

Prizes:  5%  (if selecting “no prize” option then additional 5% in commission will be given)

Maximum of 38% in commission and prizes

Make sure that your pack, troop, or crew have submitted the unit commitment form and plan to attend the district kickoff.  If you are planning for the Show and Sell be sure to submit your Product Order before July 30.