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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:
Coffeeshopcake · 08/02/2022 17:57

This is nothing new, my brother was doing this years ago.

My worry would be that he could get in big trouble if he gets found out

JackieWeaverHandforthCouncil · 08/02/2022 17:57

He needs to do a webinar to explain to hunbots that a business involves selling stock as well as buying stock.

Toanewstart23 · 08/02/2022 17:57

@KateTheEighth

Better than my mate's son who set up a barbers in the boys' loos. He took in a razor and also used the scissors in his school bag. He charged £2 a haircut.
Now that is bad

If he was caught carrying scissors and razors in to school!

narcdad · 08/02/2022 17:58

@MaggieMooh

If he’s serious about it he’ll have to register and pay tax etc. You can’t just run a business illegally.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Toanewstart23 · 08/02/2022 17:58

If I was the parent of this boy, I’d be looking at other schools

Because his peers clearly aren’t the sharpest tools in the box

BattleMyDemons · 08/02/2022 17:59

It’s a really common thing for kids to do, I don’t think it’s particularly entrepreneurial, just copying what others have done before.

The kids that I’m aware of, that have done it at my children’s school have spent most of their time doing this and not paying much attention to school work, so that would be my concern. If he’s doing his best at school then I’d just tell him that if he gets caught, there’s not really anything I can say in his defence to the school and that he’ll have to face any consequences. My children’s school punish children who do it.

HotWaterAndLemon · 08/02/2022 17:59

I hate the fact I’m parent B too.
I’ve always been a rule follower though.

I’d seriously discourage this. I’d be worried the school would try and make an example of him if caught. It won’t be long before he is.

If he’s got a good business mind and the motivation to make a few quid I’d be steering him in the direction of a legitimate business idea.

CristinaYangismySpiritAnimal · 08/02/2022 17:59

This exact scenario happened in one of the Educated programmes. I think it was Manchester. Pretty sure school made them stop.

MintyGreenDream · 08/02/2022 18:01

Our best man did a roaring trade in vodka shots for 50p each at our wedding reception Blush The bar staff knew apparently as they were asking people if they wanted 3/4 of a coke not a full one.We found out a few days after the wedding

Christmaswindows · 08/02/2022 18:01

Some of the comments! Really?

I don’t think HMRC will be banging down the door of a teenager who’s making a couple of quit!

Selling some quavers tomorrow to crack next week is also highly unlikely!

ThanksItHasPockets · 08/02/2022 18:02

Sweets
To drugs

It’s sweet that you have no idea that this is a really common escalation.

Our last ‘entrepreneur’ was approached by an older kid who was running county lines with a ‘business opportunity’. Thank God, he realised what they were trying to recruit him for, shat himself, and went to the pastoral team to confess.

You have no idea.

toomuchlaundry · 08/02/2022 18:03

I wouldn't want the risk of an exclusion and that being on his school record.

I would also want to make sure he is telling the truth that he is selling sweets and that he isn't getting money from other means

Gonnagetgoing · 08/02/2022 18:03

What I'd actually do is to:-

  • make him aware e.g. to ask pupils if they have allergies or at least be aware.

  • take him to CostCo/Aldi/Lidl for stock

  • feed it into maybe his maths lessons - savings, percentages etc.

  • also look at healthy options - so e.g. lower fat crisps (Baked crisps/Snack a Jacks), leave out flapjacks etc as high in sugar, fruit so not just full fat crisps, chocolate bars etc. Maybe encourage him to make energy balls maybe a stretch too far!

Many entrepreneurs have started out this way.

WitchWithoutChips · 08/02/2022 18:03

@Toanewstart23

If I was the parent of this boy, I’d be looking at other schools

Because his peers clearly aren’t the sharpest tools in the box

Oh please. People are always willing to pay for availability and convenience. Have a look at the prices for your local shop on Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
Mariposista · 08/02/2022 18:04

Your kid is a genius! Budding entrepreneur there

Chely · 08/02/2022 18:05

Depends on school policy, some do not allow such things.
Our eldest used to sell drawings at school, didn't last long though.

Anniegetyourgun76 · 08/02/2022 18:05

@SNUG2022

He will get in big trouble, so only advice is don't get caught. Hide the cash and keep it separate from the stash. Don't carry too much stock. Say it's his own supply. Don't eat all of the supply.
Shit, it was the last part of that I always fell down at 😆😆😆
HomeHomeInTheRange · 08/02/2022 18:06

Very enterprising.

A friend’s son made a fortune buying multipacks of custard creams at very low prices and then splitting them up and selling at 200 -300% profit.

But the school found out and put a firm stop to it. They have strict rules about not selling in school grounds.

Partly because selling hash brownies was also an occasional thing.

Gonnagetgoing · 08/02/2022 18:06

@ThanksItHasPockets

Sweets To drugs

It’s sweet that you have no idea that this is a really common escalation.

Our last ‘entrepreneur’ was approached by an older kid who was running county lines with a ‘business opportunity’. Thank God, he realised what they were trying to recruit him for, shat himself, and went to the pastoral team to confess.

You have no idea.

@ThanksItHasPockets - all you really need to do is ensure your teenager who's selling tuck might be approached to sell drugs and what the consequences of that are.

My DB after running away from boarding school (for asthmatics) ended up selling LSD trips locally up the local pubs.

I'm furious with him now but it was obviously a money earner, he didn't get caught and he didn't go on to sell other drugs and though has had a patchy life is now married with a child and is 'respectable'. He really is respectable - gave up alcohol recently for his health.

MaizeAmaze · 08/02/2022 18:07

My brother did this 20 yesterday ago. He was made to go to the head of year and get it sanctioned (it was).

My friends mate does this, except she's worked out you can get to the corner shop, and still catch the bus. So the sales are after school!

StillWeRise · 08/02/2022 18:08

@Toanewstart23

It can’t be a particularly academically successful school, that’s for sure
why on earth would you say this? bright kids don't like sweets??

I'd be quietly impressed, provided he has thoroughly checked the school rules. I don't see why on earth this would merit an exclusion even if it is against stated rules (assuming first offense

Peppaismyrolemodel · 08/02/2022 18:08

I imagine school will be aware already- they generally don’t mind if they are aware (ie, students not hiding it very well as it means no drugs) and will shut it down if anything untoward (ie, students roughing him up for money/choc).
I’d be impressed, and rather know about it!

WaterBottle123 · 08/02/2022 18:09

@MaggieMooh

If he’s serious about it he’ll have to register and pay tax etc. You can’t just run a business illegally.
And the FFS UNBEND WOMAN award goes to @MaggieMooh

I'm parent A, DS sounds spectacular

BuanoKubiamVej · 08/02/2022 18:09

I think it's brilliant.

In a similar situation when I was a teenager - it never occurred to me to charge a premium. I just bought sweets for my classmates and passed them on at cost price without making a profit. I didn't get a detention though.

I think DS should be encouraged to run his business ethically and profitably without contravening any explicit school rules, and should use it as a learning experience. Maybe he should set up a website for orders?

toomuchlaundry · 08/02/2022 18:11

Would everyone is Parent A think it is so great if your child got an exclusion rather than a detention?