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Original poster

WWYD - teen running their own tuck shop in school

504 replies

PinkPansies · 08/02/2022 16:06

We've realised recently that ds1 aged 14 has become quite flush with cash (more so than his pocket money would allow anyway!).

On questioning we've discovered that he's quite the entrepreneur and has set up his own tuck shop in school on breaks and lunches. In short, he's been stopping at the local Coop on the way to school and buying sweets and chocolates then selling them to the kids in his year for double the price. Who are more than willing to pay.

From making the odd quid here and there his 'business' has expanded rapidly in the last 3 weeks and he's got quite a following in school - and he's currently making about ten quid A DAY in profit. I can't quite believe the amounts.

He's taking specific requests from kids that get the bus to school so don't have the opportunity to visit a shop and has a price/order list to show his customers and a book with a record of his sales and profits each day 🙈

He's taking it very seriously and is incredibly organised. He's explained to his parents that his profit is limited only by how much stuff he can physically fit in his bag - so he's currently looking at smaller, higher value sweets and sounding our his customers for interest levels.

Parent A and Parent B have different opinions.

Parent A is thrilled, has congratulated their son for his driven, entrepreneurial spirit and told him to crack on...but that he needs to be aware the school will probably give him a detention if he's caught. It's a risk ds is happy to take.

Parent B is amused and a bit impressed but thinks he should stop as obviously the school would frown on this. Haven't seen any specific school rules about this but obviously the school would probably want it stopped!

WWYD?

OP posts:
Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 12:26

Because it was not explicitly stated in the rules

And it still isn’t

And if automatic exclusion is the consequence

Then it must state that too. Explicitly

VelvetChairGirl · 09/02/2022 12:26

@PinkSyCo

It turns out I'm parent B. Dd15 was selling vape refills and vapes to her class mates because she had a credit card.

I felt it would get her into trouble at school. V serious school that gets rid of anyone that might impact their reputation.

She does worry me. Overly strong entrepreneurial skills, not sure about her ethical boundaries.

Take the bloody credit card off her then. What’s a 15 year old doing with a credit card anyway?

theres kids that vape in my sons school toilets he doeant like it and he's frightened to tell the staff because he says the kids will know he grassed and beat him up.

wonder if its the same school.

SartresSoul · 09/02/2022 12:27

Ha, he sounds like Delboy. I think I’d laugh if my DC did this but I’d be worried about the school finding out and punishing them for it.

Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 12:28

@VelvetChairGirl

How old is your son?

VelvetChairGirl · 09/02/2022 12:29

@Toanewstart23

And those people previously bringing in large amounts

I’m guessing they weren’t excluded!

They got kicked out a while with a warning and then the bag searches started.

a kid had her phone confiscated until the end of term last week for having it on in class, they are rather strict.

VelvetChairGirl · 09/02/2022 12:29

[quote Toanewstart23]@VelvetChairGirl

How old is your son?[/quote]
11

Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 12:31

They got kicked out of school

Even though there was no rule against bringing in multiple (6!) packs of crisps

And yet the same school hasn’t identified vapera in the toilets?

Odd school!

user1497207191 · 09/02/2022 12:33

This really isn't anything new. Kids have always bought things if they pass a certain shop, for other kids who don't pass the shop (or get lifts or a bus to school).

I used to do similar with novelty goods I got from my parent's shop and the wholesalers, things like collector cards, self adhesive badges, etc. I'd buy a box at wholesale price and sell them at normal retail price, so I made the profit. I'd often have a few boxes of different kinds of collector card packets in my school bag.

user1497207191 · 09/02/2022 12:34

@SartresSoul

Ha, he sounds like Delboy. I think I’d laugh if my DC did this but I’d be worried about the school finding out and punishing them for it.
Most schools can't even deal with smoking/drug taking in the toilets at break times, so I can't imagine they'd put much effort into kids selling a few things. (Then again, it's easier for the teachers to go after the easy targets isn't it?).
Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 12:38

* , they are rather strict.*

But ineffective

If they are focused on snacks rather than fact some are vaping in the toilets and your year 7 son is scared to report in case found out

VelvetChairGirl · 09/02/2022 12:39

@Toanewstart23

They got kicked out of school

Even though there was no rule against bringing in multiple (6!) packs of crisps

And yet the same school hasn’t identified vapera in the toilets?

Odd school!

the school doesnt know about the vapers.

Its at the discretion of the principle what is not allowed, they cant even have compasses.

ChargingBuck · 09/02/2022 12:40

@MaggieMooh

If he’s serious about it he’ll have to register and pay tax etc. You can’t just run a business illegally.
Grin Grin Grin

The kid sounds savvy enough to know that a tenner a day profit x 180 school days isn't gonna get him anywhere near the £12,500 taxable income threshold.

The rate he's going, he can afford to sextuple his turnover before he hits that ceiling. Smart lad! Have some Cake (at 100% mark up)

VelvetChairGirl · 09/02/2022 12:40

I will point out its only 2 of them, they are in the year 7 toilet because the lock is broken on the door, all toilets have a key card lock that only staff can unlock.

Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 12:46

* the school doesnt know about the vapers.*

I’m not the least bit surprised. I didn’t think they did.

Any school so focussed on excessive snack eating is a school that doesn’t want to deal with bigger shit going on under its roof

Whammyyammy · 09/02/2022 12:47

Lol. Good on him. Next Alan sugar

Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 12:49

@VelvetChairGirl

I will point out its only 2 of them, they are in the year 7 toilet because the lock is broken on the door, all toilets have a key card lock that only staff can unlock.
Shame that your son doesn’t trust that he can tell the school what he knows without being found out
RocketAndAFuckingMelon · 09/02/2022 12:52

@YippieKayakOtherBuckets

I would love for a few of the Parent As to tell us if they expect the school to intervene when the business leads to theft, or bullying, or intimidation of vulnerable children.
Obviously if the OP's son started stealing his stock rather than buying it, or bullying / intimidating younger or vulnerable children into buying it, that would be an appropriate point for the school to intervene.
RoyKentsChestHair · 09/02/2022 13:01

I would love for a few of the Parent As to tell us if they expect the school to intervene when the business leads to theft, or bullying, or intimidation of vulnerable children.

I would hope that the school would intervene regardless of the reason someone was bullying or intimidating other students. If they’re going to act like that then they’ll find a reason, whether it’s stealing someone’s phone or their cash and sweets. My DCs’ school are quite strict on what can be brought into school but if sweets and cash were not on the list - or if the kids are paying by PayPal/venmo etc rather than cash, I’d expect any reports of theft or bullying to be investigated without resorting to victim blaming.

ladygindiva · 09/02/2022 14:36

I would be proud, like parent A. Infact dc1 did pretty much this at secondary school and saved enough to buy a smart phone to replace the very basic rubbish mobile I furnished her with when starting year 7. Aged 23 she now has over 20,000 in savings and wants to buy her own house before she turns 25.

Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 16:16

@ladygindiva

I would be proud, like parent A. Infact dc1 did pretty much this at secondary school and saved enough to buy a smart phone to replace the very basic rubbish mobile I furnished her with when starting year 7. Aged 23 she now has over 20,000 in savings and wants to buy her own house before she turns 25.
Out of interest Did she go to uni? What employment is she in?
ladygindiva · 09/02/2022 16:28

cant seem to quote who I'm replying to but yes went to uni, finished at 21 but is in a senior retail role paying 30k that she arguably didnt need a degree for but maybe it helped her. She also runs an online business as well as her ft job selling her homemade jewellery and hair accessories that she says brings in about 150/200 a week. She's a bit of a workaholic!

Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 16:40

@ladygindiva

cant seem to quote who I'm replying to but yes went to uni, finished at 21 but is in a senior retail role paying 30k that she arguably didnt need a degree for but maybe it helped her. She also runs an online business as well as her ft job selling her homemade jewellery and hair accessories that she says brings in about 150/200 a week. She's a bit of a workaholic!
Good on her Sadly though likely on debt up to her eyeballs if only graduates two years ago Sad
henben · 09/02/2022 17:41

is this the other parent of my son?? I have this exact situation!!! Good on him I say!!

FartSock5000 · 09/02/2022 17:52

Applaud and encourage him! When other 14 year olds are probably sneaking away to smoke or dabble in booze in nearby parks, yours is learning to run a business and his product is an honest one.

I wonder if the school rules or conduct says he can't actually buy, sell or swap goods and services on school grounds?

He sounds smart, creative and independent which are great qualities at such a young age!

Repecka · 09/02/2022 17:55

It may or may not be against school rules…but, unfortunately is against the law.
Whilst I think it is absolutely brilliant and praise his enthusiasm. I would warn him about the potential consequences and leave him to make the decision for himself.