Palmer's chocolate?

[ClaraB]

Our ds's Cub Scout pack has been selling Hershey's bars for several years, but this year they are considering selling Palmer's chocolate bars instead (I think the big reason is because they can return the excess, although they are also going to be cheaper). I just read on a recent thread (the "hang the cost" one) about how awful Palmer's chocolate is, and I'd just like to get some more opinions on the matter before I give my opinion to the pack leader. So, what does everyone think of it?

[Molli526]

It is not good. I think you would end up with some unhappy customers. It has a fake/plastic-y taste.

Go with the Hersheys.

[mbrogier]

Since I was the one that brought up the chocolate on the other thread...:o ;)

I normally don't buy fundraiser items. I DO support the boy scouts--my husband is an Eagle Scout. I would buy Hershey's chocolate from them. I have a large container of popcorn in my kitchen right now. :D

Palmer's chocolate is available more around holidays. I saw some today at Walgreens. Buy a bag of their milk chocolate discs and a bag of milk chocolate Hershey's kisses. Let your group do a taste. Palmer's seems to be more of a "flavored like chocolate" product instead of real creamy chocolate. To me it has a waxy consistency like it has too much shortening in it. I would give money to the kids and tell them to keep their Palmers chocolate (in a nice way). If I'm going to eat a bar of chocolate, I want it to be good.

[claire797]

It's not really awful. It just doesn't have as high a percentage of cocoa as other brands so it taste kind of diluted. It's sweeter and just bit more candy-like than chocolate-like. Also, I think a lot of people have also been traumatized ;) by having eaten "not so fresh" Palmer candy that for whatever reason, didn't get to the drugstore in a timely manner. I'll bet Palmer candy is really good fresh off the line.

In this case, people might actually be more inclined to buy Palmer than Hershey simply because they might see Palmer as something "special" rather than something every-day, like Hershey's. So even though Palmer is cheaper chocolate, if presented in an interesting shape or flavor, it might be more novel and actually generate more sales. Just a thought.

[mbrogier]

Clair has a point. All my Palmers experiences are from drug stores, and they did have bloom.

If your audience is kids, I actually preferred Palmers when I was little. :o :rolleyes: :p It is sweeter.

[Goin' Coastal]

I think it is a sin they call it "chocolate"! I vote for "I'ts awful"

[leebee]

I have had Palmer's "fresh off the line." As in not even packaged yet. Bleah. Of course, it was a Twin Bing (chocolate covered cherry type candy bar thing), which I really do not like, but the quality is icky, IMHO. It's sort of grainy & waxy at the same time.

[sarah louise]

I like to support the scouts, too, and I would happily pay more for a higher quality product. I am not a Palmer's fan. If you have some input, I would encourage something tastier rather than something cheaper. -sarah

[Beth]

I was one of those that commented on Palmer on the other thread. I'd rather have nothing, and I don't think that what I've eaten in the past was old. It is sold in grocery stores and discount stors that turnover everything each holiday. They make a lot of the chocolate bunnies sold for Easter. It may be candy, but it's not good chocolate in my book.

I have been involved in a lot of fundraising in the last couple of years. The only food we have done is boy scout popcorn (which sells pretty easily, but is only sold through the scouts -- maybe another brand does something similar) and frozen preportioned cookie dough and mini pizzas.

Other scout groups around here do spring plant sales (flats of colorful annuals and small trees), fertilizer sales and barbeque dinners. My son's scout group sold fresh wreaths and other greenery for the holidays, in case you want to keep that in mind for next year.

Another scout note: I think scouts find it easier to raise money than other groups in general. We had a lot of boys get donations when they were selling spaghetti dinner tickets last year just because the people were happy to support scouting. It's too cold up there now to think about a car wash, but something like that with a service will likely generate donations. SOmetimes sellig stuff turns people off or defensive without them really thinking about supporting the cause. (Can you tell I am contemplating the possible ways to change some of what is done next year?)

If you want to sell chocolate, look at World's Finest Chocolates. We solde then when I was i school and for my swim team. I will always buy something from anyone who comes by selling that.