Sounds Too Good To Be True
No risk. Great potential. A track record of success spanning more than 25 years. The only problem with a Pumpkin Patch fundraiser is that it seems too good to be true. You should still have a few questions. Here are the questions we are most frequently asked by visitors to our website.
How important Is the location of my pumpkin patch?
The location of your Pumpkin Patch is the single most important factor for the success of this fundraising event. You know your community best but we will help you assess your location. There must be substantial traffic flowing past your site, unrestricted visibility of the pumpkins, and good access to ample parking.[Top].
How many volunteers do we need?
The number of volunteers needed depends on the level of success you wish to achieve. With a minimal number of volunteers you can man the patch the required operating hours and expect average success. Or you can expand your patch activities to include storytime, festivals, contests, and other outreach activities. Yes, you would need additional volunteers. The old adage “You get out of it what you put into it” applies. We provide detailed training materials to help you recruit, organize, train, and manage volunteers. [Top]
How much advertising and promotion is required?
Your Pumpkin Patch is the primary advertisement. One day in the fall folks suddenly see a change in the landscape. What was once a grassy area with an occasional pedestrian has been suddenly transformed into a brilliant orange Pumpkin Patch with thousands of pumpkins of varying sizes. The most successful fundraising efforts, however, are marked by supplemental publicity, flyers and posters, creative events to attract children with parents in tow, and great customer service. We provide you promotion ideas that others have found to be successful. [Top]
Call 1-800-453-9793 or e-mail pumpkinpatch@pumpkinsusa.com and one of our customer representatives will be happy to answer any questions and walk you through the order process. [Top]
How do I know how many pumpkins to order?
We will determine how many pumpkins to send you by assessing your market and traffic flow. Events that you plan and events occurring in the community also have an impact on how many pumpkins you need. In order for you to have the best patch possible and not miss any sales opportunities we will send you a resupply of pumpkins if necessary.[Top]
What percentage of the sale do we keep?
A Pumpkin Patch fundraising project is risk-free since Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers, Inc. pays all the costs associated with growing, harvesting, and shipping the pumpkins to your site. We even assume the cost for damaged and leftover pumpkins. We guarantee you a profit of 25 - 40% depending on your gross sales volume. You collect the money, keep your portion and send us ours. [Top]
Can we sell pumpkins for more than 14 days?
Fourteen days (October 17-31) is the minimum period for selling pumpkins. If you have a great location and lots of motivated volunteers, then extending the selling period will result in more sales. Most Pumpkin Patches sell pumpkins for 30 days. Those among the Top 25 sell for 39 days. The most successful Pumpkin Patch in the USA takes their first load of pumpkins during the third week of September and sells pumpkins for 40 days. [Top]
Are we responsible for pumpkins that are broken, stolen or unsold?
No. For over 25 years Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers, Inc. has been offering a no-risk fundraising opportunity for churches and non-profit organizations. If someone steals a pumpkin—we take the loss. If a pumpkin is broken during shipping, dropped during unloading, or even dropped by a customer—we take the loss. If a hurricane comes barreling through your community and destroys the entire Pumpkin Patch—we take the loss. And if on November 1st there are a hundred unsold pumpkins in your Pumpkin Patch (we hope there are)—we take the loss. [Top]
What do we do with the pumpkins at night?
Nothing, except roll them over and put them to bed. Unlike a Christmas Tree lot where volunteers must guard the trees, we have learned that a Pumpkin Patch in a high-traffic area, with good visibility from the street is relatively safe. Save your volunteers for normal hours of operation. Don't waste volunteer time guarding pumpkins—use the time to sell pumpkins.[Top]
How do we dispose of unsold pumpkins?
Would you believe that we like you to have pumpkins leftover? If you do not have any pumpkins left at the end, your last minute shoppers did not have a selection to choose from and may not even stop at your location. We do ask that you dispose of any pumpkins left unsold. We will provide you with a list of resources and disposal options. You will not be charged for any pumpkins leftover.[Top]