Girl Scouts of Colorado has posted our new and improved Cookie Program FAQ’s for the 2014 season! Get a jump start on cookies and start reviewing these updates before the Cookie Program begings – it will be here before you know it!
2014 Cookie Activity
Info: cookies@gscolorado.org
877-404-5708
What Cookies?
• We will be selling the six most popular varieties of Girl Scout Cookies: Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Trefoils, Do-si-dos, and Savannah Smiles.
How does the Cookie Program work?
• Girls will sell cookies to these customers with cookies in hand. Instant gratification from the get go!
• Volunteers will place their starting inventory cookie order by December 6, 2013, based on 80 percent of last year’s final sales.
• Starting inventory orders (SIO) delivery for the Cookie Program will be picked up January 20 to 25.
• Council sales will take place between February 7 and March 2. My Sale boothing will begin January 26.
New this year, “My Sale boothing”!
• Girl Scouts of Colorado is now giving girls the opportunity to get a head start on their booth selling! My Sale boothing begins at the start of the cookie sale, January 26 and will allow girls to set up their own personal booths throughout the end of the sale, March 2. Through My Sale boothing, girls will only be able to set up booths at non council contracted locations. The regular booth sale period is February 7 – March 2; girls will be able to set up booths at council contracted locations during this time frame (Walmart, King Soopers, Same’s Club, Albertson’s, City Market, etc.)… All booth sales must be entered in eBudde and approved by your service unit cookie booth manager, service unit cookie manager or area cookie manager.
Want more Cookie Program updates?
• Check out the Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Product Sales Facebook page where you can get the latest and greatest information regarding the Cookie Program!
o www.facebook.com/gscoproductsales
Frequently Asked Questions
What tools will I need on my computer to access eBudde?
For the 2013-2014 season, users will need to have Internet Explorer 8 and above to access eBudde. Internet Explorer tends to rollout updates to their browsers in October of each year, so users should update yearly to ensure that they can utilize eBudde.
When do troops need to place their starting inventory order?
Troops need to enter their starting inventory order in eBudde by December 6, 2013 so the cookies can be baked on time and you do not have to think about cookie planning over the holidays!
How does a troop know how much to order?
Your starting inventory order is recommended to be 80% of your final sales from last year. All troops’ recommended 80% orders are posted at girlscoutsofcolorado.org, including recommendations for new troops. If you have additional questions about your order, your service unit cookie manager and council product sales staff are available to help you figure out what makes the most sense for your order.
Why do you want me to order 80% upfront?
This is historically the amount that troops order for their initial order. This baseline provides troops with adequate inventories to prevent multiple trips to the cupboard and helps our cupboard keep their inventories manageable.
What if I have fewer girls selling this year?
Your starting inventory order can be adjusted by working with your service unit cookie manager.
What happens if the troop can’t sell all the cookies it orders initially?
Anything left over from your starting inventory order can be used for booth sales or returned to your local cupboard until February 12, 2014. After that date, you will be financially responsible for those cookies. Council is happy to trade full unopened cases of cookies for a different variety throughout the sale to help you clear out your inventory – this doesn’t include non-chocolates after February 12, 2014. We encourage you to utilize the Girl Scouts of Colorado classifieds online at to exchange or transfer cookies by packages between troops.
Will there still be an order form?
Yes, order cards will be distributed with the starting inventory order. Girls may still take orders and come back later to deliver if they so choose. For all girls, the order card become a cookie business record used to track customer sales. This card can be kept from year to year to make sure the girl builds her customer base.
How does the Cookie Program affect individual selling girls?
Girls who are not part of a troop will be able to get cookies from their local cupboard with the same return deadline of February 12, 2014.
Will the delivery process change?
No, the delivery process will be the same as last year.
Can we accept credit cards?
Troop leaders are responsible for arranging acceptance of payment with mobile credit card devices by their troop, and for any and all fees incurred to set up or process transactions. GSCO no longer trains or approves their use of credit cards. Individual Girl Scouts may not accept credit card payments for product sales.
http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/volunteers/cookies/credit-cards
How do I prevent having leftover inventory at the end of the sale that my troop has to pay for?
To prevent paying for excess inventory, you need to stay in constant communication with the parents in your troop about what they have on hand. Here are the best practices for inventory management:
• Require parents turn in all excess inventory by Sunday, February 9 to make sure your troop can meet the return deadline of Wednesday, February 12.
• Manage your cookie sale like a business, keeping a close watch on inventory, payments received and outstanding balances.
• Have parents turn in money and excess inventory once per week throughout the sale.
• Return consignment cookies to the cupboard within the consignment period established by your cupboard.
• List any excess inventory on the GSCO Classifieds Cookie Exchange at .
• Participate in the Hometown Hero/Gift of Caring program and make sure not to pick up these cookies from your cupboard until the sale ends.
• Schedule an extra booth sale or walk about the last weekend of the sale to get rid of remaining inventory.
Where is my closest cookie cupboard?
Information on cookie cupboard locations will be coming out soon from your SUCM.
If you have any questions, please contact your appropriate Product Sales Specialist with questions:
debi Metheny (Metro Denver, Northern & Northeastern Colorado): debi.metheny@gscolorado.org; (303) 607-4886
Kathy Singer (Western Slope, Southwestern Colorado & Mountain Communities): kathy.singer@gscolorado.org; (970) 628-8018
Shannon Allison (Metro Denver, Pikes Peak, San Luis Valley & Southeastern Colorado): shannon.allison@gscolorado.org; (303) 607-4839
