Tuck Shop

[recneps]

We currently run a tuck shop with our scouts. The basic idea is that one of the leaders (generally me!) goes to Hancock's every few weeks to get stock, and then we sell it to the scouts on Friday nights - and of course on camp. The explorer scouts run the shop itself on a friday night.

Our problem is, how do you stop the explorers eating more sweets than they sell? We don't have enough spare leaders to run the shop ourselves!!! Besides - we also eat our way into the profit too!

One option we are looking at is running an EPOS system - in fact i'm already nearly finished building a trail version. This would allow us to monitor how much stock is disappearing, as well as knowing what needs replacing without manually stockchecking. Would anyone else be interested in a copy of this software when it is finished (probably next few days depending on other commitments)

[Richard Willars]

Install a security camera in the shop :p

[shiftypete]

We have run a tuck shop at our Scouts for years and stealing from the tuck shop has never been an issue, all our Scouts know that it is completely unacceptable to take anything without paying. Maybe your Leaders are setting a bad example if they are taking items without paying making Explorers think it is acceptable.

[recneps]

I wouldnt exactly call it "stealing". The leaders just occaisioanlly grab a penny sweet if we are working in the kitchen. Likewise we dont mind the explorers having a few sweets free, in return for running the tuck shop. The problem comes if they take a larger item, such as a drink, or a handful of sweets. We aren't aiming to make a profit - but can't make a loss.

[big chris]

I stopped selling penny chews and only sell 10p bags and bigger, they don't get pinched.

[justin]

i would not mind shot of the software for the tuck shop
thanks

[recneps]

Might try that idea of selling only bags.

Should have the software up soon - just trying to iron out a couple of bugs at the moment

[recneps]

PROGRESS ON TUCK SHOP

Hi - sorry about the delay in the project. I didnt expect to be working as many days before I moved to bath, and obviously I've been busy settling in and trying to get involved with a scout troop here.

I will one-day get round to it, but at the moment I have got other priorities obviously. How quickly things happen depends on the likely demand for the project.

[Matt M]

We use to have a tuck shop at explorers but it proved a problem. So now all we do is go to the spar (10 Seconds Walk), which makes it easier for everyone.

We had a tuck shop when I use to be in Scouts ages ago, the problem was with groups in Scouts, certain groups would give people sweets for free and others would charge more etc, So the solution was to put a leader in charge, and to only let 1 Scout at the tuck shop at a time.

Of course, The method we use for explorers now is far easier and better, but it doesn't work if you don't have a corner shop accross the road

Then again, if you don't have spare leaders to run it, perhaps the most responsible explorer... If you can find one lol :P.

[recneps]

hmmm - we have a Spar and a corner shop across the road... unfortunately where we are on the school campus thats a 10 minute walk each way. Also, we have to do school paperwork for just about everything, so can't just let scouts wander across the A6 and back.

[Kastor]

Am I missing something here? If running a tuck shop is a problem then why bother? What are you trying to achieve?

[recneps]

The troop is run with a Patrol Leaders Council. They are keen to have a tuckshop, and it is useful as a disipline tool (e.g. we won't open the tuckshop until you're all in uniform) etc.

[dragonhhjh]

At our group we have a very simple system where one leader buys a load of sweets and puts them into bags, with each bag worth around 15p and we sell them for 20p.

At the start of each meeting (before the opening) any child wishing to buy tuck goes up to the leader. The leader then puts their "order" on a piece of paper.

At the end of the night (after dismissal) the leader hands the orders out while they are stiil in the circle.

But of course you need a leader you can trust!

[rob]

Any progress on this?

[Matt Barden]

Might as well carry the topic on. We have a tuck shop. The sixers do the cubs and the PL's do the Scouts. I must admit that I am the worst one for getting something from the cupboard and eating a penny sweet or ten.

But as I tell everyone, I go to cash & carry once a term and if theres £5.00 in the tuck tin, that is what I will spend. If there is £20.00, I will spend that.

So the Cubs & the Scouts loose out if they eat there way through the tuck shop without paying for it.

But I do think it shows them that you trust them , and working with money. Also I have used it as a insentive in the past. If behaviour is bad, no tuck tonight.

Matt