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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Badmum1978 · 10/02/2022 07:10

The tax threshold is £12k a year, if he’s pulling that in then yes, yes he will have to pay tax Wink

toffeeghirl · 10/02/2022 09:41

My son was doing this through year 8 and 9.
It seems to be a baton they pass onto the younger kids once they get a little older.
In his case it was "uncool" and there were new distractions (sports, bands, girls).
It's still a punishable offence if caught in all the schools I'm aware of. (All of mine went to different high schools. Nieces, nephews, godchildren too - ie approx 10 schools in our city!)

Smudge77 · 10/02/2022 10:02

I found out recently my son did this, brought 5 donuts for a £1.00 sold them for 50p each, always had tuck, and there was a lookout, in case. He 's(20)has investments now that he hopes will make him alot of money, their will always be buyers for tuck and while buying more drinks and tuck if not him someone else.

Mumwithapub · 10/02/2022 10:13

My brother used to raid my hamsters food and pass the dark brown pellets off as weed! I didn't twig but found out in my 30s I found that hilarious.

Owl55 · 10/02/2022 10:13

As soon as school find out it will stop so let him enjoy the profits ! My grandson made flapjacks in food technology and sold them in school 🤣I must admit it made me laugh and no harm in it .The time to worry would be if he sold cigarettes!

Angiemum24 · 10/02/2022 10:17

I used to do the same thing when I was a kid.
Your kid has a great intuitive personality.

StepAwayFromGoogling · 10/02/2022 10:35

As mum to a DD already struggling with her weight - and the unhealthy crap she's already fed at school - no, I wouldn't be congratulating another child's entrepreneurial spirit at getting sweets and chocolate to her. But I think that may be very specific to my own situation!

Snaketime · 10/02/2022 12:08

@RedskyThisNight

If Parent B's only concern is possible breaking of school rules, then suggest that he moves his business hours to before and after school. And his business premises to just outside the school gate ?
This ^ I agree with parent A, this is brilliant and he should be encouraged, but maybe change his times and premises slightly.
threatmatrix · 10/02/2022 12:29

I would be trying to source cheaper sweets for him to make more money and claim a percentage 😂 I would also be very proud. If you stop him someone else will take over.

Toanewstart23 · 10/02/2022 12:32

@threatmatrix

I would be trying to source cheaper sweets for him to make more money and claim a percentage 😂 I would also be very proud. If you stop him someone else will take over.
Not much of an entrepreneur if he needs his mum to tell him to source his products cheaper
stevalnamechanger · 10/02/2022 12:37

@MaggieMooh

If he’s serious about it he’ll have to register and pay tax etc. You can’t just run a business illegally.
he can make a 1000 a year "trading allowance"
stevalnamechanger · 10/02/2022 12:41

Good for him . Nice to hear about kids with a sense of business interest . I agree re Costco!

Horst · 10/02/2022 12:51

His just running an In Person vending machine. Most stuff has a huge mark up on those.

Good on him. School will likely make him stop at some point but I couldn’t be mad. It’s not crack. In fact I’d help him find the cheapest place to buy the stuff.

Horst · 10/02/2022 12:54

A lot of people saying cost Co but actually sometimes the cash and carry places anit actually the cheapest.

We only go to the cash and carry when a certain shop is out of stock. Some items I can buy for say 25p in other shop work out 35/45p in the cash and carry and are priced marked too where as the 25p one isn’t. Amazon are actually cheaper for things like doritoes even buying the tax free boxes from our local cash and carry.

gonnabeok · 10/02/2022 13:00

This happened at my school in the 80's. It happens at my child's school too. They all sell lollies and compete on price!. To be honest I don't see any harm in it if it is a couple of sweets

buddylicious · 10/02/2022 21:33

B.

This is no doubt very rare, but ...

A friend's son did this. He loved the buzz of making money. He then started selling cigarettes at school. Unfortunately, he then got known for being the bigot who could supply stuff and went on to sell booze and drugs!

This is obviously worse case scenario and just because your boy is running a tick shop doesn't mean he will go on to start selling other things!

buddylicious · 10/02/2022 21:40

Not sure where "bigot" came from!!!

He got known as the boy who could get anything!!!!!

Devora13 · 10/02/2022 21:43

'MaggieMooh

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

There's always one.

Grin
AlmostAJillSandwich · 10/02/2022 22:05

Depends, if he's buying multipacks that have "not for individual resale" items then selling individually he's breaking the law.

Ohyesiam · 10/02/2022 22:35

I’d be with parent A, but I’d want him to be backing most of his profits.

He’ll be on desert island disks in 30 years explaining how his multi billion business started at school😁

NumberTheory · 11/02/2022 02:34

@AlmostAJillSandwich

Depends, if he's buying multipacks that have "not for individual resale" items then selling individually he's breaking the law.
Grin The Food Safety Agency will be planning a raid as we speak!
IGotAVaxAndILikedIt · 11/02/2022 03:41

I'm with Parent A as well. As long as he understands that if he gets busted, it is his problem.

My DS1 did similar at primary. You know those stupid supermarket promotion things? Cards/plastic tat etc. He would have me get them with my shop and then take them to school and sell them.

He had the whole family picking the things up for him. Made quite a lot on the 'rare' ones.

Rosieposie101 · 11/02/2022 04:17

This happens in literally every school and I think it's great!

HomeHomeInTheRange · 11/02/2022 15:13

@Rosieposie101

This happens in literally every school and I think it's great!
I would be talking to my kids about the sense (or otherwise) in buying cheap stuff at hugely inflated prices and making another kid rich.

I would rather give my kids a choice of a snack each day than have them sneaking off and wasting pocket money making another kid rich on multipack haribo.

Dogscanteatonions · 11/02/2022 16:53

@MaggieMooh

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