As a parent of a 7-year-old Brownie named Lily, I’ve had my share of experiences with her troop’s activities, which primarily consist of enjoyable outings like visiting animal shelters or delivering care packages to veterans. I appreciate the efforts of fellow parents who coordinate these events, allowing me to take a somewhat passive role. However, this approach fell apart when it came to cookie sales.
Typically, I let my kids tackle these tasks independently, but for reasons I still can’t fathom, I decided to immerse myself in the cookie-selling process. It seemed like an excellent opportunity for Lily to learn essential life skills, as highlighted in a previous article about the lessons from selling Girl Scout cookies:
- Marketing: Lily would need to persuade individuals to purchase cookies.
- Rejection: She would face potential refusals and learn how to cope with them.
- Courage: Approaching unfamiliar people at her age is daunting, yet selling cookies required her to muster that bravery.
We navigated these challenges well; Lily excelled in marketing, rejection, and courage. But where did I miscalculate?
The trouble began with my ill-advised plan to sell cookies to former colleagues. At the time, I was between jobs, and my children had yet another day off school, so we ventured to Manhattan, visiting three different offices where I still had connections. Lily, with her adorable demeanor and a form, sold cookies while I collected payments. She sold an impressive quantity! I felt clever and proud of our strategy.
Then, my mother-in-law called. I excitedly recounted our success, only for her to ask, “How will you transport all those cookie boxes back on the train?”
That was my first realization of the error. It’s one thing to carry a form and some cash; it’s an entirely different challenge to transport several boxes of cookies across town. By the time the shipment arrived, I had secured a new job, necessitating half a day off just to manage the cookie delivery.
Now for the truly regrettable part. The cookies were to be picked up from one of the Brownie mom’s houses. In my frantic attempt to organize orders—despite the fact that the official Cookie Mom was far more organized than I could ever be—I accidentally spilled coffee on my computer keyboard.
Things spiraled further when, after loading the cookies, I attempted to back out of the mom’s driveway, only to crash into her iron gate. It took me an excruciating amount of time to maneuver out of her driveway. Once home, I discovered the damage to my brother’s car and, overwhelmed, devoured an entire box of Samoas as if that might somehow redeem the situation.
So here I am, with a damaged vehicle, a stomach full of Samoas, and ten boxes of cookies to sort through and deliver, possibly with Lily, who I may have inadvertently turned into a delinquent by pulling her from school for cookie distribution.
Final Recommendations on How Not to Sell Girl Scout Cookies
- Avoid selling in locations that are difficult to access, require multiple subway transfers, or are only open during weekdays—especially near the crowded Times Square area.
- Don’t aim for large sales; be content with a modest amount.
- Resist the temptation to order extra cookies “just in case,” as you will likely consume them.
- Steer clear of ordering Samoas for yourself; they are dangerously addictive. One box is never enough.
- If you find yourself struggling with the same Samoa predicament, consider reading this article for guidance.
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Summary
Selling Girl Scout cookies can lead to unexpected challenges, from logistical issues to personal mishaps. To avoid these pitfalls, plan wisely, stay organized, and be mindful of your own consumption habits.