Pack 734 needs funds to operate, and by selling BSA nationally sponsored Trails End Popcorn, we can easily fund our Pack activities. It is not hidden that a significant portion of the selling price goes to Boy Scouting, either on a National, Council, Pack, or individual Scout level.
This program is optional for Pack 734 members, but we do encourage participation as it helps fund our Pack’s program, and can pay the Scout’s fees.
As a major change this year, all sales can be handled on a Trails-End App on a smart phone or a computer, including credit card sales. The app can be downloaded from Google Play at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trailsend.scout&hl=en_US
Each Scout should register at the Trails-End.com web site. We are in Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, Timucua District, Pack 734. You will need to furnish an email address, and will be assigned a Salesman Code which can be used as a quick identification for Online sales. The Scout’s last name will not be shown to others.
There are 5 different methods of selling the popcorn:
Online Direct: Scouts take orders from the customer, enter them on the Trails-End App, and product will be shipped direct to the customer. This is similar to Wagon Sales, except the product is shipped by Trails-End direct to the customer. There may be an additional shipping fee of $7.99 for the first item, and $0.99 for each additional item, with free shipping for orders $55 and over. Scouts earn double points for these sales. Payment should be by credit card.
Wagon Sales (Take-Order): the Scouts takes popcorn orders for future (on/after Nov. 14) delivery. Orders need to be completed by October 27. Orders entered on the App are automatically added to the unit’s order total. Payment can be cash or credit card.
American Heros Donation: The donation will provide popcorn to our military and/or first responder personnel.
Show-and-Sell: The Pack supplies popcorn for Scouts to sell direct to purchaser, typically at a storefront or community event. First day for sales could be September 18, and we try to complete this by October 20.
On-line Sales: The customer orders their product direct from Trails End, with payment made direct to Trails End, and shipment made from Trails End. There is a slightly different product mix, and there is normally an additional shipping cost of $7.99 for the first item, and $0.99 for each additional item, with free shipping for orders $55 and over. This can be done year-round. A customer can buy popcorn from site: www.trails-end.com, and select: Find A Scout. If the scout is registered, they can find the scout using the scout’s first and last names and zip code, or their “Code”.
Notes: The product mix will vary slightly between sales styles.
If one of the ordered product has a later ship date, the whole order will be delayed until that date.
There is only one style of microwave popcorn, and it is only available via the Online Direct order.
There are a LOT of on-line helps and tutorials at the Trails-End.com site.
On cash sales, a parent can pay Trails End using their own credit card, and keep the cash money. (This does not earn the extra 50% sales points.) If payment is by check, either the check can be made out to the parent, who then pays the pack or Trails End, or the check can be made out to “Cub Scout Pack 734”, and we will process it.
There are rewards from Trails End to the Scout for his level of sales, with additional rewards made by our Council. The rewards consist of an Amazon gift card, based upon the final level of sales. Note that credit card sales earn extra 50% points! The Pack has a Square credit card reader which can be borrowed.
Pack 734 realizes that the scouting experience can be costly, and will share the benefits with the scout. It costs the Pack about $80 per year to provide program to each scout, which we would receive as commission from Trails End for $200 in popcorn sales. For an individual scout’s sales above $200, the pack will designate 20% of his additional sales to pay for any of the cub’s Scouting related expense during the current school year. This can be for a uniform part, an outing, BSA registration, summer camp, event registration, or anything related to scouting.
Significant dates for the Popcorn sales:
Right Now: Take-Order, Online, and On-Line Direct sales begin.
September 3: We need to order Show-and-Sell popcorn.
September 18: We pick up Show-and-Sell popcorn and can begin selling direct to purchaser. (This could also be used to fill Wagon Sales.)
Oct 18: Take-Order sales forms for Wagon Sales need to be completed and turned in.
Nov 13: We pick up Take-Order popcorn and scouts can begin their Wagon Sale deliveries.
Nov 26: All popcorn cash money needs to be turned in. (Credit card sales are already processed.)
It is imperative that any sales be done in a safe fashion. Do not let the boys sell unattended.
During the Wagon (Take-Order) portion of the sales, you should collect money at time of the sale, either cash, or credit card using the Trails-End app. Checks to the pack should be made out to: Cub Scout Pack 734.