crashdog Posted August 25, 2004 Share Posted August 25, 2004 <p>Every once in a while a business idea comes to mind. This one justcame to me over lunch. </p><p>I have a number of images that would make good photo greeting cards(either photo mount or photo frame type blank cards). The challengecomes with how to get them out there for the public to see andpurchase. I know that schools and church youth groups tend to do anumber of fund raisers to make some money. I was thinking aboutsetting up a fund raiser for such groups where they could sell mygreeting cards and get a cut of the profits. No money upfront forthem, and as in all fund raisers they get to put in the foot work toearn the money.</p><p>From the research I have done, I see other such cards selling inthe area at a gallery for $2.50 - $5.00. I can get the supplies andput the cards together for around $.75. If I set the selling price atabout $3.00 and offer the group $1.00 per card, I would still makeabout $1.25/card. (Small profits, but for a good cause :)</p><p>I have that part thought through, I think, so here is where myquestions begin. If the non-profit was selling the cards, would theyneed to collect and pay sales tax (this is in Minnesota)? If yes, theeasier way would probably be to have the customer write the check outto my business, with the sales tax added, then I make the donation tothe church for the appropriate amount. If the answer is no, would itwork for the non-profit collect the money from the customers, and thenwrite a check out to me for the cost of the cards, obviously notpaying sales tax? I am guessing that being a final sale, sales taxwould need to be collected, so the first option is how I would need toset things up. Anything else I need to be considdering?</p><p>Thanks for any insights that can be offered,</p><p>George</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g._armour_van_horn Posted August 26, 2004 Share Posted August 26, 2004 No, I haven't tried this, but ... I think the normal approach would be to make up a range of cards, then put together maybe three packages at something around $6, $10, and $15 each, with the price including sales tax. (You don't want school kids calculating sales tax while they're out hustling for you.) Then you have the checks payable to GGSP (George Gabrick School Promotions) or whatever. You pay the sales tax and write a check to the school. You'll need to put out a catalog sheet explaining the offers, printed in high quality on card stock, and an order sheet for the kids to take name, address, and products wanted. I think it could be a killer program, but I would expect it to be a slow process to get it off the ground. However, if it works, the same groups will want to do it year after year, and you can work on adding a few more groups each year. It shouldn't be hard to find lists of organizations to approach once you've got the system tested. Van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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