So that is why school uniforms are so expensive to buy from my school!!!
By gemini_rose
@gemini_rose (16264)
May 23, 2008 10:45am CST
My kids were supposed to be in school today, but I am going away tomorrow and so needed to get them fixed up with new uniforms as theirs was getting tatty.
Now the school sells uniforms with the school logo on but they are really really expensive and I cannot afford the prices, so have always opted to just buy them plain uniforms at a much cheaper price.
Well, just recently a shop in my High Street has started selling the school uniform with the logo on at nearly HALF the price of what the school sell it for and so I decided that I would buy the boys logo uniform from there. So we went in and I bought what I needed and the man who owns the shop asked if I would mind not mentioning to the school, if asked where I had bought it from. I asked "Is there any particular reason for this?" and he replied that he was in a bit of a dispute with the school because the school did not want him to sell this uniform because it was stopping people buying from the school.
The man told the school that the prices the school were charging were ridiculous and people could not afford it, and the school replied that by him selling the uniform it was stopping the school raising money on the uniform they sold.
The man told me he could not believe that they said that and he asked them if they realized that what they were doing was against the government rules, they are not allowed to do this. The school said that the money they raised went into the school funds so it was not like they were doing anything wrong, but the man told them that it was wrong because the parents do not know what is going on and plus you are not supposed to do it, you raise funds through ways that parents are happy with not by taking money off them that they might not be able to afford or want to give. But they are insisting that what they are doing is fine, and that they are doing nothing wrong, they want this shop to stop selling the uniform so that people buy from the school.
I really think that they have got a cheek don't you?? I am quite cross with this revelation. I always help out with donations for the school funds and to think that they want to take money off me without my knowledge for more is not on at all.
So if any of you have the same problem as me, then this is could be why the uniform is so expensive to buy in your school!!
What would you say or think if you found this out?
Would you be OK with it or would you be cross?
7 people like this
20 responses
@bastet2329 (47)
• United States
23 May 08
I would be upset and I would raise a stink at the school board. The school needs to raise money by selling candy bars. Can they prove the money is going back into the school? They need to state that the proceeds on the sale of each uniform goes towards XXX. then parents can make an informed choice on whether to buy from the school or an outside vendor.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
23 May 08
Exactly, each item is around £3 GBP more in the school than in the shop.
1 person likes this
@armandojapitana (391)
• Philippines
24 May 08
It's ok to raise school funds if and only if they can justify it. It's really sad to hear that a school over charge so much for a school uniform, they are punishing the parent's budget.And beside there's another way to raise a school funds that will not hurt their client's money (Parents).
1 person likes this
@horsesrule (1957)
• United States
24 May 08
I would be upset with the school too. That is just wrong! Our school is a uniform school but the school doesn't sell them. You have to buy them from wherever you can find them. We try to find them at thrift stores because we are so broke all the time so our boys have rarely ever had a new uniform. But that does seem so dishonest of the school. Can someone report the school to the education board?
1 person likes this
@babyanj (131)
• Philippines
24 May 08
I wore school uniforms all throughout kindergarten, elementary, high school and college. Imagine how much my parents spent on all that. :D The thing is, we always knew (or at least, they did) that the school was making money off them. Usually they would just hire a dressmaker or buy something similar from another shop. Once or twice we bought uniforms from the schools' shops but it was only because there wasn't enough time to have my own uniforms made by someone else. She bought two pairs and had the rest of mine patterned after them. It made me feel weird sometimes because I knew that my uniform was a little different, but I also knew that we weren't rich, a good education was worth more than a school-bought uniform. I guess it made my parents cross but my mom is quite frugal so she just found other ways to save on my uniforms. If I would become a mother and enroll my kids in schools with uniforms, I'd really be wary of this practice and shop around before buying one from the schoo.
1 person likes this
@Diferay (50)
• China
24 May 08
"I love you more than I can say..."
-- By Diferay
WOW~ what a terrible thing!
In our school,students decide to buy the kind of school uniform as well as its price.If it is expensive,we won't pay for it.
For me,I wouldn't be OK with it.If I were you,I would unite all students' parents to boycott untill the schoolmaster give us a reasonable price.
1 person likes this
@Sky347 (33)
• United States
24 May 08
I guess it all comes down to whether or not it is legal for him to sell the shirts with the school's logo. I mean, if I'm not mistaken, the schools logo is their property if it is registered. I don't think a anyone can take a logo from any company and use it to make profit without consent from the owner.
We all have the right to sell our own creations at whatever price we want. It's not a monopoly because you don't have to buy their shirts to go to school there. You can get no-logo shirts.
Anyway, why would you want to spend more money for a logo when your child can learn just fine in a plain school uniform. Save the extra money and buy your child something he/she will really like.
1 person likes this
@diansinta (7544)
• Indonesia
24 May 08
This thing happen every where, i guest.. i remember that i was a kid we are should buy teachers book and school only. I have to used my brother uniform always accept the skirt. I never used a new one. only the name tags she sew it her self at my brother's uniform. It suck! always too big for me.If you have the young other generation to go this school again, you better start a parents meeting.
@spiderlizard22 (3444)
• United States
24 May 08
I don't agree with the school selling the uniforms for an expensive price if students are required to wear uniforms. The school should either lower the price to make it affordable or keep the price they are selling and let others sell it for a lower price.
1 person likes this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
23 May 08
Hi Gemini_rose I recently had this issue re school uniforms and in fact it is not the school in our area as we have to make the cheques payable to the local council. Either way the schools are taking the P big time especially as you have more than one to buy for and as we all know kids and how CLEAN (not) they come home from school we need extras too eh! Well done for going to the man down town. If the school are raising funds parents should be told. I will gladly donate for a fund raising tombola or jumble sale but to have this hidden is most annoying indeed. I have decided that having seen some of the kids in just plain polos the only item I am going to bother buying with the logo is the sweatshirt and a book bag. Everything else I will buy plain anyway. Ellie :D
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
23 May 08
I remember you going on about it, one of the reasons I posted this to see if it could be a possibility that other schools were doing this.
I have 2 to buy for at the moment, it will be 3 next year, the shop in town that sells them is a life saver in costs.
I wonder if there was a particular reason that he told me, whether he wanted to make people aware of what the school do with the money from the uniforms.
1 person likes this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
23 May 08
I think he must want to make people aware of this as he has nothing to gain as he sells his clothes much cheaper anyway. I am as angry as you are over this because I like to be told I am making a donation to school funds rather than it be in these costs hidden. Ellie :D
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
23 May 08
You are right to be mad and Thank God for honest people like the one that sold that uniform to you because he is trying to help people.
I don't know the law about this but, it seems wrong that they would profit off something like that given that it is necessary that the kids that go to that school have to wear that uniform. It isn't like they are selling school memorabilia. So, to profit off of it, even if they are saying that the money earned from the uniforms goes right into the school funds, is still wrong. They could lower the price to match the other guy's and they would still be making money from the purchase of the uniforms. I wonder if you could write your school superintendent or something or if he or she is in agreement of such a wrong money making scheme and is ok with it.
Anyway, I don't have kids but, since my hubby wants our kids to go to a private school some day when we do have them, I imagine I will come across the same problem.
Good luck and if you can do something about it...don't hesitate! You will be a hero to others like yourself who can't afford such a ludicrous financial burden.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
23 May 08
I am wondering if that is why he may have told me, he may have told others too in the hope that as parents we will take action.
@bubblyapple (2653)
• Philippines
23 May 08
You have to take note that these schools are private schools. Most of them are private corporation or incorporated. They sell merchandize to EARN money, so there is nothing wrong with them selling uniforms at a price that they set. What they are wrong about is STOPPING THE MAN FROM SELLING because that is against the free enterprise rule. Everyone is allowed to sell products as long as they have the permit to do so. What the school is worried about is the fact that they would loose clientele. Of course, as a paying customer, you want to get a product of the same quality for a cheaper price.
They could not legally stop the man from selling uniform at a cheaper price NOT UNLESS THEY HAVE PATENTED THE SAID UNIFORM FOR EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION by them.
1 person likes this
@Gingermegs (64)
• Australia
24 May 08
I agree totally that the price of uniforms is ridiculous. My son started high school this year and had to have the correct uniform. We were informed at a parent meeting that the only money raised by the school is from the tuckshop (which is quite over priced too) and from the sale of uniforms and that is why they are so expensive. I think I would rather participate in a few fund raisers through the year rather than pay an exorbitant amount out for uniforms.
@jczvrse (169)
• United States
23 May 08
I know this is about school uniforms and their pricing, but it seems everything you buy for school is so expensive. I dont know about other states and counties but in mine it starts in elementary school, you must buy all supplies, plus the added paper towels, toilet paper, clorox wipes, kleenex, then you must pay for lunch, field trips and God forbid your child wants to play an instrument added expense, the JR High you have again school supplies, uniforms for school, uniforms for PE field trips that cost even more then elementary, my daughter missed a trip with her chorus class to Santa Cruz to perform because I could not afford to pay for this trip, also the chorus shirts and tees they need to perform, school is just costing a fortune soo I wont be able to afford to send my kids to school where do the tax dollars we all pay really go ????
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
23 May 08
I was working in the school before and same problem occur when the son of the owner started to run the school. Students must purchase every thing there. Parents Association submitted their written complain to the administration and it didn't work! The president said that it's a policy and it was also a fund raising and the money will be used for teachers and students development. The school that year started to renovate their buildings and improve their facilities and made the parents accept the fact but, some also decided to transfer due to that policy!
The best thing there for me is to ask questions as to why it cost much? It's just a logo anyway! If no one will complain to them maybe they will take it as ok for every parents. Just an opinion!
@mummymo (23706)
•
23 May 08
that is awful Sweetheart! I mean our uniforms are really expensive but slightly cheaper when bought through the school no more expensive! I never buy them through the school as the company they work with has slightly cheaper prices but the quality is shocking and it is a false economy as the sweatshirts and polo shirts are so shabby after just a few washes! I would put a complaint in to the council and see what they think of the situation - there has to be something you can do about this! I have actually been meaning to start a post about my sons school uniform being changed - but with a good point for a change - I am off to start it now! xxx
@nelly5 (1424)
• United States
23 May 08
My kids do not wear uniforms, but if I were in your situation, I too, would be very upset. But then again, it doesn't suprise me, that is just how the world is today. Everyone is wanting more and more of our money and charging us way over the actual cost of everything! I would certainly take the appropriate steps to take in reporting what the school is doing, and obviously, I would continue to shop around for places to purchase the uniform at a much cheaper price. Thanks for sharing, have a wonderful day!
@Amberina (1541)
• United States
23 May 08
I think if schools are going to have uniforms they need to be a plain white shirt an tan pants. Both of those are easy to find and pretty cheap. I don't think the schools should sell the uniforms with the school logo on it what the heck is that? It should be just a plain white shirt and tan pants or black pants or something that looks nice and neat. But school logos no way leave those off.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 May 08
I would not like it one bit and would buy from the man'
in town and not the school. I would not be okay with
this as its charging the parents without the parents'
knowing that the money is being raised for the schoool.better to ask the parents for donations instead.
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
24 May 08
I would definitely be cross. I don't have a problem with the school selling uniforms or trying to raise money. They shouldn't condemn people for making them cheaper and they shouldn't condemn people for buying them there. The only way I could see how a problem may exist is if the school logo were a trademark or copywrited in some way.
