5 Ways to Get Out of Buying Girl Scout Cookies at Work

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Jeez, how pathetic. In my office, we put the GS sales sheet in the lunchroom and leave a pen there. If you want cookies, you order them. If you don't, you don't order them. No one is pressured, no one has to lie and no one has to feel bad.
I was a GS leader for nine years while my daughter was a Scout. We sold lots and lots of cookies without bothering a soul.
It's not just about the girls selling cookies. There's also the need for funds for troop activities. Passing the order form around the office is just some extra help for the troop and the girls.

Patricia of IL 11:33AM February 24, 2012

Just because the boss's pet's kid is selling something, they are allowed to bother all of us at work -- on work time -- asking us to buy, buy, buy. And our company does have a "no solicitation" policy. It's not enforced. I say ENFORCE IT! And for everyone all the time. I don't want to be bothered any more. I donate for cause that I care about and on my own. I don't have to be asked to donate when I am trying to do my job! Give your own kids money and stop asking me for mine.

worker of NJ 6:32PM February 20, 2012

Most people I know accept "No thanks" fairly well. At least the GIRLS selling cookies do! Why the subterfuge? Either you want to or you don't.

BJ of VA 10:09AM February 20, 2012

Rebuttals:
1) On a diet? Buy one or more boxes for Gift of Caring. You pay the money but never see the cookies. These GoC cookies get donated to a charity chosen by the troop. Some troops give theirs to military personnel, some to homeless shelters, some to orphans, some to other groups. Ask.
2) Short on funds? If you truly do brown-bag it daily, don't buy snacks and drinks from the machines, and don't splurge on regular Starbucks or whatever, and don't have electronic gadgets, then "Sorry, I really can't afford it" is the truth. Otherwise, that $4/box is the cost of what, one fancy Starbucks drink? The container of strawberries you didn't finish eating and went bad and had to be thrown out? Girl Scout cookies last for a long time, especially in the freezer, as long as you don't leave them in the heat - other than heating them on purpose. Some of the flavors make very yummy s'mores (BYOMarshmallows).
3) Lying and saying you already bought cookies? Not just a cop-out but a dishonest one. If you're lying about having done this, what else might people think you're lying about?
4) Pre-emptive strike? Nope, makes you look mean and/or unpleasant at best, creepy at worst. "Sorry, but I'm just not interested" is way preferable.
5) Become unapproachable? As noted, this would mess up your office relationships. Is it really worth becoming a cretin to avoid buying a $4 box of cookies rather than giving a polite "no" or deciding to buy a box after all?

GS mom, leader, and volunteer who also sold GS cookies as a kid of VA 3:38AM February 20, 2012

Or you could tell them that you dislike transgender people. Then you won't have to go into hiding at all! Your coworkers will just think you're a jerk, and their responses will likely measure up to whatever the real reason is you're trying to sneakily avoid buying cookies!

Therese of CA 2:22PM February 16, 2012

They pay you to write this crap? Unreal.

Lou of ME 1:51PM February 16, 2012

I rarely if ever eat cookies (diet reasons) but I always try to buy at least one box, and then give it to someone who loves them. I usually give them to my mother.
That way you are helping out the girl scouts as well as giving a nice little gift for the sweet tooth in your family. It's a win-win. :)
I think the excuses below are cop-outs, and would make me feel guilty as hell for trying to use one of them.

Tina of WV 3:19AM February 16, 2012

You could just buy one box. It would not hurt and it would not be that expensive. I too was a leader for my daughters and they work hard in all weather to sell boxes.

A Previous Leader of CA 8:22PM February 15, 2012

Ever thought of just saying "No thank you"? I am a troop leader and sell cookies at my work. ALL Girl Scouts are instructed to say "Thank you" after asking for a sale and to never ask more than once. This stands true for the parents as well. You could look like a complete idiot following all these stupid ideas...or you could just say no thanks and be done with it. I prefer the route with less drama.

GS Leader of TN 4:37PM February 15, 2012

I thought this was an interesting article, until I got to number 4. Bad idea. And, Luke, just because YOU may not like cats, that doesn't mean that others share your sentiments, so.....bad suggestion. Oh, and number 5 was a bad suggestion, too.

J House of CA 2:02PM February 15, 2012