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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:
Hmm1234 · 09/02/2022 19:41

Parent A
Wait until the school tell him off-they will it isn’t like the 90s anymore- and act like you didn’t know

ThistleTits · 09/02/2022 19:45

@NeverDropYourMooncup

From experience (we made a fuckton of cash that way decades ago), he needs to never carry more than he can afford to have taken off him in either cash or stock and be prepared to shut down operations in an instant - no credit, no debt, nothing. Strictly cash only at the point of purchase.

Because it's not necessarily a detention he needs to be alert to, it's the arseholes in the year above ganging up to rush him for the food and/or money that they know he's carrying that can be a problem.

This ^
GreenShadow · 09/02/2022 19:49

DS did this but actually got his first job out of it!
He became known in the local branch of Home Bargains as he bought so much that they offered him a weekend job!

Chocolatehamper · 09/02/2022 20:00

I'm guessing OP is parent B and has now decided that her son is an entrepreneurial genius! He rocks! 👍

Missingpop · 09/02/2022 20:11

Fair play to the boy he’s seen a gap in the market & is prepared to take the risk & is doing his best to earn a few quid; be proud of the lad; he’s not causing trouble; he’s not bullying; he’s not smoking; & he’s not getting some lass pregnant you never know from small acorns grow mighty oak trees. Alan sugar started small too😂

heather2908 · 09/02/2022 20:19

I’m a resounding parent A but DH is resounding parent B.

Kennykenkencat · 09/02/2022 20:20

@Repecka

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.
What law ?

Where does it say selling sweets is against the law

Some very odd comments about paying tax on £10 per day profit and now selling sweets is against the law,

Bumpy23 · 09/02/2022 20:20

If it was my child, I'd support them. It's take guts and risk to make a business work. He's got it.
I would point out any risk, what would happen if got caught And school weren't happy? He needs to build in contingency for any loss. Let him live and learn, he'll go far!!!

Bumpy23 · 09/02/2022 20:21

and those on about tax....give over, he's a kid.

Sowhatifiam · 09/02/2022 20:22

In my school that would be more than a detention.

Cornishgorl44 · 09/02/2022 20:26

This did make me smile. My son did the exact same. He branched out to doughnuts and cookies as well ! He made a tidy profit. I did get a couple of phone calls home - that was it. He ended up selling to a couple of teachers. !

Milliways · 09/02/2022 20:27

My DS did this and the school were fine with it (no vending machines or tuck shop on site to compete with) as long as he didn't sell to anyone in the years below him.
The school also let them keep any profits made from Young Enterprise competition businesses, so that got them fired up and making real money!
He has always been driven and bought his own £600k London flat on his own, no parental financial help with deposit etc at age 25.

Merryweather80 · 09/02/2022 20:28

Tell him to buy multipacks of four chocolate bars and split them. Sell for 50p each. Or crisps
Awesome.
At least he’s prepared to take any consequences the school throw at him. It’s something I think I would turn a blind eye to.
He sounds quite mature.

WTAFhappened123 · 09/02/2022 20:32

My son started doing this and was actually doing really well BUT when I eventually found out I read the schools handbook and selling confectionery (anything) to other students will be met with suspension from school. He wasn’t happy he had to stop but understood that he doesn’t want to be suspended

Tee20x · 09/02/2022 20:37

People at my school always used to do this.

Fairfatandforty · 09/02/2022 20:44

.y son did this with cans of pop. Bought in bulk and then undercut the school vending machine by 20p per can. #soproud! Sadly, the school didn't feel the same and asked him to stop! It was all cool though - no drama.

suzehar · 09/02/2022 20:46

I think it’s fabulous! My son did this in year 7 unbeknownst to us at first but when we found out about it myself & my husband were rather impressed! However the school were less so & he was called in to the head of year & told to stop it immediately. They didn’t want him bringing the sugar into school 🤨 obviously I agree with the kids not eating too much sugar…however there are desserts & cakes available every day!! I thought the entrepreneurial skills shown were amazing & have no doubt some of the teachers thought it was great! He was offering special offers & discounts for preorders 🤣🤣

Shewhomustbeobeyed1 · 09/02/2022 21:13

I commend him. Encourage him to get to school early and sell outside the premises. Also, I would take him to the wholesalers/cash & carry and help him increase his profit! He shoes teal promise

Newbabynewhouse · 09/02/2022 21:37

Grin my nephew literally did the same thing in school! Hes now 28 and very successful! My sister encouraged it but the school weren't too happy! Lol i think he was just sneaky about it in the end..he got straight A*s ...i think it shows a very clever minded individual to take this upon themselves in school

VaggieMight · 09/02/2022 21:50

My sister did similar. When the school phoned my dad about it he told them he thought it was great. They weren't impressed and the business ceased trading.

Isaidnomorecrisps · 09/02/2022 21:53

Reminds me of my son who did rubix cubes for other boys for £1 a pop. Problem was in the end he didn’t have time for lunch! I found out when all these coins fell out of his rucksack. Wish I hadn’t stopped him now ….

FoamBurst · 09/02/2022 21:54

Good on him.
DH used to do this with cigarettes! He even had teachers who were meant to be giving up, that had a bad day and was buying tjem off him in break for £1 a fag.
He made loads. Obviously that was in the day fags were much cheaper. And he used to smoke himself.

Lovely13 · 09/02/2022 21:59

My son did this and paid for an Xbox from it. It was absolutely against school rules. Somehow survived. I was horrified but impressed by his entrepreneurial skills.
I put him up for junior apprentice. But he didn’t go to audition. He’s now gainfully employed by good firm. But just wonder if he should have pushed that Del Boy skill a bit more....

Luvtoshoponline · 09/02/2022 22:36

My DS did this whilst around the same age, we honestly couldn’t see the harm. He was studying Business and obviously saw a gap in the market and capitalised on it. That said we also made it clear that should there be any reprisals from school he would do any punishment given without question.
He pushed his luck and was caught by an eagle eyed deputy head watching from an overhead walkway, who blew her whistle and notified his head of year who happened to be stood right behind him in the midst of the school break time scrum.
It was the head of year who phoned myself and so apologetically told me of my DS antics (he was never in trouble). I apologised for his behaviour but also pointed out that he’d simply putting his Business Acumen into effect to which she laughed and said “Well I’m his Business Studies Teacher.” 🤣
He received time in detention and was advised he’d not be attending the next day school disco as punishment and we agreed. However the next day it seemed all was forgiven and forgotten although he definitely is a total charmer!
I’m not condoning breaking rules, but I’m also not prepared to stop my child from finding themselves and figuring out their skills within set parameters.
Your child has used his initiative and has been successful, it’s a definite bonus and fab for his confidence….should he get caught and have to pay the piper then this too is a fab life lesson- enough to press a point but nothing too serious.

ElleMac44 · 10/02/2022 03:48

Parent A i know a lad who used to bake cakes at home and take them to school to sell, till the school stopped it, but the kids loved it.

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