How to Sell Soda at School

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Last Updated: July 12, 2022

Looking to make a few extra dollars? You might consider selling soda to other students for a fair price. Here are some tips to consider in starting up a small in-school business. (Keep in mind that if you are to sell anything at school you must get permission first or a consent form saying you can.)

Steps

You'll need money to make money, so save up $10-$20 to buy some soda for resale.
Try to figure out what your students prefer drinking. You can always buy multiple sodas, but you are better off sticking to one brand for such an operation.

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You might buy a bulk 32-pack of soda at a discount warehouse store (e.g. Sam's Club, BJ's,Zellers), or you might look for sales at your grocery store or supermarket. Remember that you will be reselling the soda. In general, buying in bulk is better. It is also suggested that you buy the half cans of soda. Sell them each for 1 dollar. They're easier to carry around and they're much cheaper than the regular sized sodas.
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Determine how much of a profit you want. If there's a vending machine at your school selling soda for $1.25, selling soda for $1.00 or $.75 is the best idea.
- Figure out your fixed cost. If you buy a 12-pack of soda for $6, then your fixed cost would be $0.50 per can. Then there is a 10 cent deposit per can (which can be refundable) so the total cost per can is $0.60. Therefore, you will need to sell your soda at a minimum of fifty cents to cover the cost of buying the soda at $6. Depending on how much profit you want, $.75 or $1.00 would probably be the best price.
- Avoid giving change. Obviously one of the most commonly used selling techniques is to sell something for $.99 instead of $1.00. If you sell in, for example, dollar increments, more people are bound to buy, if they coincidentally have a dollar bill or something in their pocket. Opposing, selling for cheaper prices will get those people that still have some lunch change left in their pocket.
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Determine your selling cost and how to make a profit. If it costs you $0.50 per soda, then you will want to sell above that amount so that you make some money. If you sell a can of soda for $1.00, then you will make $0.50 per can. Thus, you can earn a profit of $6 total for selling all 12 soda cans.
- Remember: If your school sells soda already, then don't charge for more than that amount, or no one will buy from you.
Your friends/customers are only going to get annoyed to find you selling soda at $0.75 one day and $1.25 the next. Figure out your price before you start selling, and work on cutting your costs later by buying soda at the cheapest possible price.

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Question

How do I do it during school hours?

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Sell before school starts, at break time (if you have it), and at lunch. If your school already sells the items you're buying, it would be best to sell yours in the morning as you will have no competition.

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Question

How can I convince my parents to let me sell snacks at school?

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Community Answer

Explain that it will help you become a better businessman/woman and will allow you to stop asking them for money.

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Tips

Keep an eye on your backpack or wherever you decide to hold your soda, to avoid it being stolen.

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If you are selling drinks in glass bottles remember to bring a bottle opener.

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If your school has a vending machine, sell products that are sold in the vending machine for a lower price than the vending machine.

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Warnings

Always make sure that there is no teacher in the nearby to catch you when you sell your soda!

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Try to avoid selling drinks in glass bottles. The consequences will be worse if you are caught, and most schools don't have bins for recycling glass.

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Understand the risks and potential consequences. Understand that there can be serious consequences if you are caught operating such a "business" on school grounds by a teacher. The greater number of customers, the greater chance that a teacher will find out, whether through another student or through his/her own means.

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