A group of 100 people selling an average of 40 boxes each can make a profit of $32,000.00

A group of 8 people selling an average of 40 boxes each can make a profit of $1,600.00

Thank you for visiting our website. We are looking forward to working with you on your upcoming fundraiser. 

You can start your fundraiser for December delivery now if you would like.  Businesses can be contacted from April through October to get commitments for gift fruit for employees and customers for December delivery.  Other customers can be contacted from August through November.

Over the past 25 years we have helped hundreds of nonprofit groups earn as much as $32,000.00 with one fruit fundraiser.  Our program is a proven method to raise large amounts of money.

All of the information regarding pricing, deadlines, etc. is contained in this email.    You can click on the links at www.800apples2.com  for all of the information regarding how to conduct a successful fruit sale, pictures of our full color brochure, etc.  If you sent us your address, we will also mail you a packet of information.

After you look over this information, please call us back or email us if you have questions.  When you are ready to get started, let us know and we can ship you quantities of sales materials for your group. All of our sales materials are shipped to you free of charge if you commit to a sale with us. 

Here are 5 reasons why fruit fundraisers continue to be the most effective of all high profit fundraisers:

1. Almost everyone eats fruit on a daily basis.  It is part of their existing grocery budget.

2. Fruit is healthy and is considered a requirement for a healthy diet by most experts.

3. Fruit is an enjoyable refreshing treat that appeals to almost everyone.

4. Those who buy fruit appreciate your service and will look forward to buying from you year after year.  Many groups have sold fruit for over 25 years.  There is no better fundraiser for repeat business.

5. Most customers will be willing to buy from you for delivery in December, 2008 and in March, 2009, if you choose to do both sales.

Why is a fruit sale so profitable at reasonable prices?

Because fruit is perishable, grocery stores have to charge a large percentage of profit to cover spoilage. This gives you the opportunity to make a very good profit margin and still be competitive.  We have a program that minimizes your risk.  Because you are preselling the fruit, you will deliver it quickly to your customers when it arrives, minimizing the spoilage.  We also reimburse you for any spoilage reported to us.  (See below for the details) 

Our program allows you to make at least $1,500.00 profit on an order of 300 boxes.  A sale of 500 boxes (1/4 truckload) gives you a net profit of at least $3,000.00.  A full truckload of 2,000 boxes gives you a profit of at least $16,000.00. 

We ship fruit from Edinburg, TX where some of the best quality red grapefruit and navel oranges in the world are grown.  We ship only top grade quality fruit from top quality growers.  We also ship on the same delivery truck apples from Washington State and navel oranges from California. 

Navel oranges, red grapefruit, tangelos and all varieties of apples are very sweet and juicy just in time for the Christmas Holidays! 

Our brochure has a picture of our mixed gift box, as well as the other items we offer.  The mixed gift boxes and the gift fruit baskets are packed fresh by your group when the fruit arrives to you. Boxes will be shipped to you on the truck along with your fruit; all other packing materials for gift boxes and baskets will be shipped ahead of time.  Your profit is approximately $8.00 per gift item.

Schedules and Deadlines for Your Sale

1. Call Rick or Laurie Stepp at (800) 277-5372 or email us at Rick@800apples2.com for sales materials, CD with work sheets and pricing confirmation as soon as possible, no later than Monday October 13, 2008

2. Make up sales kits for each salesperson by Monday October 20, 2008. Each kit should include two tally sheets and two brochures, with your selling prices listed on the brochures and on the tally sheets.  You can use our tally sheet document on the CD that we send you to print from your computer. Encourage your salespeople to put their brochures into a loose-leaf notebook protected by see through sheet protectors that are available at office supply stores.  The tally sheet can also be inserted in the notebook.

If you prefer that we ship you packets that are ready to distribute with your prices, organization name, etc.  Please let us know.  We can provide this for a nominal fee which will be refunded to you if your sales are above 500 - 20 pound boxes. 

3. Kick off Sale sometime between Monday August 18 and Monday October 27, 2008.  It is best to conduct a 3 to 4 week sale.

4. End Sale no later than Monday November 17, 2008 and total your orders.

5. FAX OR E-MAIL ORDER BY 10:00 PM central time MONDAY, November 17, 2008.  This deadline must be met in order for us to have enough time to ship your fruit on schedule.  Washington apples and gift boxes have to be shipped to Texas and Florida to consolidate everything on one truck. 

6. Send payment as outlined below to arrive to us by Tuesday November 25, 2008.  You will receive up to a 3% discount for paying in advance.

7. Your fruit will arrive between December 4 and December 10, 2008.

Your delivered cost, suggested price and profit:

Following are the terms, delivered cost, suggested price and profit for your fruit fundraiser.  In order to receive these prices, you must confirm to us by email or phone no later than Monday, October 27th that you are conducting a fruit sale.  In order to receive this pricing, we must email, fax or mail you a confirmation of pricing specific to your group.  All fruit orders must be placed with us by email or fax and confirmed by us no later than 10:00 PM central time on Monday November 17, 2008. 

Grocery stores sell quality navel oranges, grapefruit and apples at prices of .89 per pound to $1.99 per pound.  The prices we are suggesting that you sell at are approximately .89 to 1.25 per pound to your customers in the 20-pound box and approximately .79 to .99 per pound in the 40-pound box. Your prices will be competitive.

Prices are good for shipment from November 19 through December 10, 2008.  Prices may be lower on the day that you submit your order.  These prices are given so that you can pre-sell fruit.  If market prices are lower, we will make the adjustment at that time, resulting in more profit to your group.   The following prices are based on the understanding that your group will offer for sale the two most popular items: navel oranges and red grapefruit.  Other items are optional.

Minimum Order:  No orders for less than 100 - 20-pound equivalents (2,000 pounds or more) of fruit will be accepted or shipped.  Rising fuel costs have resulted in higher freight costs.  Because of this, we have a minimum order policy.  If you fall short of the 100 – 20 pound equivalents, you may want to order extra fruit and sell it after it arrives.  We do not recommend this, but this is an option you have rather than canceling your sale. 

Prices quoted below are based on a minimum order of 300 - 20-pound equivalents of fruit per delivery location. (Any combination totaling 6,000 pounds of fruit or more)

Examples: 1. Standard cartons count as 40 pounds, therefore a 150 standard carton order would fulfill the 300- 20 pound carton minimum.  2. An order of 100 - 20 pound cartons and 100 - 40 pound cartons would also fulfill the 300 – 20 pound minimum.  A 300 – 20 pound equivalent order results in no freight service charge.

If quantity delivered is between 200 and 300 - 20 pound carton equivalents, a $100.00 delivery fee will be added to your invoice.  (A 200 - 20 pound carton order would cost $1.00 per box more than quoted below)

If quantity delivered is between 100 and 200 - 20 pound carton equivalents, a $200.00 delivery fee will be added to your invoice.  (A 100 – 20 pound carton order would cost $2.00 per box more than quoted below.)

The following Quantity Discounts will be given per box based on the total quantity of fruit delivered.   Discounts are based on the quantity delivered to each separate delivery location on each separate delivery truck:

500-999 ½ carton equivalents	Deduct $1.00 per 20 pound box
	Deduct $2.00 per 40 pound box
A 500 - 20 pound box order will result in a profit of approximately $3,000.00 to your group.
1,000-1,899 ½ carton equivalents	Deduct $2.00 per 20 pound box
	Deduct $4.00 per 40 pound box
A 1,000 - 20 pound box order will result in a profit of approximately $7,000.00 to your group.
Full truckload (1,900 to 2,000 ½ carton equivalents)	Deduct $3.00 per 20 pound box
	Deduct $6.00 per 40 pound box
A 2,000 - 20 pound box order will result in a profit of approximately $16,000.00 to your group.

Prices quoted also include full credit to your invoice for all actual spoilage reported to us by fax, phone or email within 7 days of your delivery date.  If total spoilage exceeds 3% of any given item, it must be reported within 48 hours.  This makes it possible for us to make a claim with the shipper of the fruit.  Any major problems (10% spoilage or damage of any given item) must be reported to us before accepting the fruit delivery. If any item shipped on the truck is short or damaged, you must note it on the bill of lading before signing for the merchandise and notify us within 48 hours.

               Delivered cost, recommended selling prices and profit per box for 300 – 20 pound equivalents:

Citrus: Sold by volume not weight. Weight is approximate. 20 pound boxes are called ½ cartons. 40 pound boxes are called standard cartons.	Your delivered cost   per box	Recommended selling price per box	Your profit per box
20 pound carton navel oranges 28 to 44 count	$13.00	$18.00	$5.00
20 pound red grapefruit 20 to 24 count	$13.00	$18.00	$5.00
20 pound juice oranges 28 to 66 count	$13.00	$18.00	$5.00
20 pound tangelos 40 to 70 count	$13.00	$18.00	$5.00
40 pound navel oranges 56 to 88 count	$25.00	$32.00	$7.00
40 pound carton red grapefruit 40 to 48 count	$25.00	$32.00	$7.00
40 pound carton juice oranges 56 to 138 count	$25.00	$32.00	$7.00
40 pound carton tangelos 80 to 138 count	$25.00	$32.00	$7.00

Price to your customers for citrus is approximately .89 per pound for 20 pound boxes and .79/lb. for 40 pound boxes.

Apples: We recommend higher profit margins and selling prices for apples than for citrus. On average, apples are priced much higher in the stores than citrus.	Your delivered cost per box	Recommended selling price per box	Your profit per box
1/2 carton Washington apples:  red delicious, golden delicious, granny smith  (40 to 44 count, approximately 20 pounds)	$18.00	$25.00	$7.00
40 pound Washington apples:  red delicious, golden delicious, granny smith  80 to 88 count	$32.00	$40.00	$8.00

Price to your customers for apples: 1.25 per pound for 20 pound boxes and .99 per pound for 40 pound boxes.

Gift Fruit Program

The brochure has a picture of our mixed gift box and gift basket.  The gift fruit is packed fresh by your group when the fruit arrives to you.  Empty gift boxes will be shipped to you on the truck along with your fruit. All other packing materials for gift boxes and baskets will be shipped ahead of time.   

Since you pack the gift fruit yourself, the actual cost will vary slightly depending on how you pack the boxes.  Gift fruit is more profitable for you since you provide the labor to pack it.  People also expect to pay more for gift items that are fresh, hand selected, hand packed and nicely packaged.  We will send you the worksheet for packing gift fruit after you have confirmed your sale with us.

Mixed Gift Box & Gift Baskets- Profit will be higher if you sell 500 boxes or more.  This is the minimum profit you should make if you sell 300 boxes or more.	Your approximate cost per unit	Recommended selling price per unit	Your Approximate  profit per unit
1 layer mixed gift box (approximately 10 pounds)	$12.00	$20.00	$8.00
2 layer mixed gift box (approximately 20 pounds)	$17.00	$25.00	$8.00
Mixed gift basket (approximately 10 pounds)	$17.00	$25.00	$8.00

Gift boxes and trays for packing gift fruit by your group are shipped on the same truck with the fruit.	Your delivered cost   per box
Empty ¼ carton, 1 layer gift box, holds approximately 10 lbs. /22 pieces fruit	$1.75
Empty ½ carton, 2-layer gift box, holds approximately 20 lbs. /44 pieces fruit	$2.00
Trays for gift boxes hold 22 pieces of fruit each	$0.20

Shredded tissue and gift baskets are shipped UPS, FedEx, or US Mail several days in advance of your fruit delivery. Shipping is included in the following prices. Gift boxes will arrive with your fruit delivery.	Your delivered cost   per box
5 pounds of shredded tissue, enough for approximately 75 gift boxes. Shipped direct from the distributor making this the most economical quantity.	$22.00
2 pounds of shredded tissue, enough for approximately 30 gift boxes. Price is higher to cover extra shipping and handling charges	$17.00
Case of 24 wicker basket kits, includes 24 wicker baskets, 24 bows, 24 shrink wraps, 24 small packs of tissue paper.  If ordering 12 baskets or more, this will be the most economical quantity since they are shipped directly from the distributor.	$144.00             ($6.00 per basket kit)
Custom shipment of 1 to 12 basket kits can shipped at a higher cost.  This is to cover extra shipping and handling. It is much better to order full cases of 24 and save the extras for later use or make extra gift baskets and sell them after the fruit arrives.	($11.00 per basket kit)

Payment Terms

Payment must arrive to us by cashier’s check, credit card or money order 7 days prior to your delivery date.  This may require collecting your money in advance from your customers. You will receive a 3% discount for paying on time, in advance by cashier’s check or money order.

You will be given a 1% discount for paying on time, in advance by credit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover Card.

After placing your order with us, we will calculate your bill and let you know the total.  You can then express mail the cashier’s check or money order.  We will reimburse you for express mail charges from your local post office.

Paying in advance enables the fruit growers to give us their best quality at a competitive price, knowing they will receive prompt payment.    If you need credit terms, it can be arranged by submitting a credit application.  Credit will need to be approved four weeks in advance of your delivery date.

Please call us at 800-277-5372 if you need to make credit arrangements and we will email or fax you a credit application.  Our credit terms if approved are:  Net 21 days from delivery date.  Payments not received by our office within 30 days of delivery will be assessed a 1% service charge per 30 days until payment is received.

Fruit prices quoted are based on crop conditions remaining favorable.  In the event of a natural disaster such as a freeze or a hurricane, prices or supplies are not guaranteed.  Weights are approximate.  Citrus is sold by volume; it is not sold by weight.  (1/2 carton approximately 20 lbs, Standard Carton approximately 40 lbs.)

LATE ORDERS - Please note the following important information

 Each year we get late orders that are past the deadline.  We always do our best to accommodate late orders if there is still time to do so.  However, the Washington apples must be shipped to Texas and Florida in order to make the connection with the citrus trucks. 

We need the orders by these deadlines to schedule harvesting, packing, shipping, and transportation for the fruit.  Late orders will be considered based on fruit availability and extra space on the delivery trucks.  If you submit your order after our deadline, a higher price than quoted may apply. 

“Just in Time” Arrivals – Please read this carefully

 The requested delivery time and day on your order form cannot be confirmed until we make arrangements with a trucking company to deliver the fruit as requested.  We will make every effort to give you the delivery date you request.  If you have not heard from the trucking company or us within 72 hours of your requested delivery, it is crucial that you call us for an update.

“Just in time” arrival is the goal we strive to achieve.  It is not possible for us to guarantee that the truck will come precisely on time since any number of things could happen to cause a delay.  We may also have to ship your order for arrival on an earlier date than you have requested.  The larger your order, the better we can accommodate your requested date and time of delivery. 

It is important for you to have a backup plan in place in the event that the truck comes earlier than requested, breaks down, encounters bad weather, an accident, etc. (See instructions to trucker on order form.)

In order to prevent your fruit sale from becoming an inconvenience to your volunteers, it is crucial that you establish a team captain calling system.  We suggest that you have no more than ten sales people per team.  Have team captains who are in charge of calling everyone on their team to update them on the arrival time of the truck.  Have each team captain establish a calling list of all team members well in advance of your delivery date.

Approximately three days before your scheduled delivery we should know the delivery schedule.  At this time call us for your delivery time and activate your team captain calling system to inform team members of the scheduled delivery.  Tell them that unless they get a message regarding a potential delay, arrive to pick up their fruit approximately 1 to 2 hours after the scheduled delivery.  This will allow you time to have the unloading crew show up on time, unload the fruit, count it and prepare it for distribution.  Also, if the truck is delayed for some reason, there will be time to activate the calling system and inform your team members to come later.

We look forward to serving you this year.  Please feel free to call us at your convenience if you have questions. 

Sincerely Yours,

Rick and Laurie Stepp

Phone us toll free at: 800-277-5372 (1-800-apples-2)

Email: Rick@800apples2.com          Visit our website at: www.800apples2.com