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FAQ's for Product Sales

Why do you have cookie sales?

The #1 reason is the life skills learned- how to set a budget, handling money, and group decision making, and goal setting. The emphasis is on teamwork and achieving goals.

Does every Girl Scout have to sell cookies?

No! Each girl is encouraged to participate for the educational experiences she will gain. Selling Girl Scout cookies is not about competition.

Who can sell cookies?

• Any girl who is a registered member.

• Girls with outstanding balances from previous product sales programs may not be allowed to take pre-orders or to pick up cookies to sell. She may, however, participate in booth sales in order to earn her cookie patch.

• It is recommended that adults who wish to sell council products on behalf of their Girl Scout, be registered with GSUSA.

What about girl safety?

• Girls MUST sell with another person. Daisys, Brownies and Juniors should be with adults; Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors only need a buddy.

• Even if a girl knows someone, she should not enter into anyone's home without the parent/guardian's permission.

• A girl should NEVER reveal her name and phone number. She should be prepared to give a designated adult leader name and number when asked.

How do I get started?

At an identified troop meeting in early January, parents should attend cookie training. Individual Girl Scouts will receive notification of training. You will receive permission forms that must be signed in order for the daughter to participate in the cookie sale. You will receive your cookie order forms then. DO NOT START TAKING ORDERS BEFORE JANUARY 17th!! (Date changes each year- be sure to check!). DO NOT COLLECT ANY MONEY AT THE TIME OF ORDERING!!

Only the parent/guardian who has signed the permission and responsibility form may pick up cookies.

When your order arrives, make sure you CAREFULLY check your order before leaving the pick-up point. Make sure you always sign a receipt for everything you get. Cookies are not returnable, and they are $42 per case.

If you need more cookies, talk to your troop cookie manager. Turn in your money as you pick up additional supplies, and always count it and get a receipt. Keep careful records of how much money was turned in and when. You may accept checks with a drivers license number; make them out to the Girl Scout troop.

Can I sell my cookies on the internet?

Basic Online Guidance for Product Sales
Girls can use e-mail and age-appropriate Internet functions as online marketing tools to let family, friends, and former customers know about the sale and collect indications of interest. Any use of the Internet as an online marketing tool by councils and girls must adhere to current GSUSA and Internet provider guidelines related to:

• Safety
• Internet etiquette
• Age requirements
• Parent/guardian permission
• Adult oversight
• Council jurisdiction (by ZIP codes of the council)

Guidelines for online product sales include use of parentally supervised e-mail and texting as a marketing tool, and/or use of a customer commitment tool (such as an e-card or blind e-mail provided by product vendors) to communicate with family, friends, and former customers.

• Product related e-mail is not intended to be spam (unwanted e-mail). Girls or their parents should not broadcast e-mails to parental membership lists or place of employment e-mail directories.

• Girls or their parents or a third party may not accept payment for Girl Scout product to be sold by girls online, with the exception of Girl Scout magazine vendors.

• Customer e-mail addresses from current and past years should be treated with respect, and girls should be instructed on privacy issues.

As a Girl Scout, girls must never:

• Use or post a personal e-mail, personal street address, or phone number on a site. Instead, use a blind e-mail provided by GSUSA approved vendors, a group e-mail address, or an e-mail address shared by an adult)

• Take orders from prospective customers outside of the council’s Zip code. Refer an online prospect from outside the council’s ZIP code to www.girlscoutcookies.org to find a local council that can deliver cookie orders.

Girls must stick to council ZIP codes as sales territory unless their council makes specific arrangements that are agreed to with adjacent councils (such as a regional mall shared by council customers). Even within a council’s ZIP code, however, girls and their parents or guardians must be willing to make delivery arrangements. Girls may also sell to relatives outside of a council ZIP code.

What if there is something wrong with my cookies? (Empty boxes, crushed packages inside the cases, etc.?

After ensuring you order is correct, place cookies in a safe, and pest-free environment. Pay close attention to weather conditions. In spite of careful handling, however, there are sometimes complaints. If this happens, refer the customer to the service center, phone 385-3677.

Why don't Girl Scouts sell a sugar free cookie?

There are 2 parts to this answer. First- most requests come from families of diabetics. Diabetes is controlled by diet where an exchange program is used. For the first time during 2001 cookie sale, dietary exchange information was printed on every box of Girl Scout cookies. Many diabetics are reporting that they have successfully included Girl Scout cookies into their diet.

The second part of the answer is because this type of cookie is not a popular item to purchase. The last time a sugar free cookie was included, it represented less than 1% of the total sales.

What if the cookies I ordered are damaged in some way?

With a mass production as large as Girl Scout cookies, damaged boxes are going to appear. These boxes may be exchanged by contacting the Product Sales Director.

When I buy Girl Scout cookies, does the money go to the girls or to the Girl Scout headquarters?

All of the revenue stays in the local council, including a portion of money that goes directly to local troops selling cookies. Girls benefited not only by participating in the council-sponsored activities, but also by deciding what to do with the earned money for troop/group projects. We know of no other youth-oriented sale where the girls themselves decide what to do with the revenue received for their efforts.

No money from local purchases goes to the national Girl Scout organization. The bakers pay Girl Scouts of the USA a royalty fee for the use of their registered name and service mark. That royalty is separate and apart from the contractual obligations between licensed bakers and each of the local Girl Scout councils.

We want the cookies they sell in California!

There are 2 different bakers of Girl Scout cookies. Each council may only choose ONE as their supplier. Each must provide, by GSUSA requirements, Shortbread, Thin Mint and Peanut Butter Sandwiches. Additionally, both provide a Peanut Butter Patty and Carmel type cookie. The other varieties are the discretion of the company. The Product Sales committee samples each company's product and decides on which they feel offers the best quality. Also taken into consideration are the price quotes from each company.

Are cookie purchases tax-deductible?

If Girl Scout cookies are purchased and consumed for personal or group enjoyment, the consumer has purchased a product at a fair market value and no part of the price of a box of cookies is tax-deductible.

However, if one or more boxes are purchased, but left with the Girl Scouts for the use with their troop/group's community service project, for example, collecting for a food pantry, then the consumer does not receive any cookies and does not benefit directly from paying for cookies. Those individuals may treat the purchase price of the cookies as a charitable contribution.

Individuals with specific questions should seek advice from a tax consultant.

How many cookies will my car hold?

If your car is empty, except for the driver, and is tightly packed with Girl Scout Cookie cases, it should hold:

	Vehicle Size	# of Cases
	Compact or 3-door	23
	Hatchback or small wagon	25-30
	Mid-size sedan (back seat & trunk)	35
	Sport Utility/ 8 passenger minivan	60
	Full-size Station Wagon	75
	Full-size van with seats	150
	Full-size van without seats	200