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BSA's Licensed and Custom Products team has had a number of requests in recent years for fun, temporary, tattoos with Scouting and related symbols to support recruiting. To date, we have not created these items due to public perception of tattoos; however, as our culture changes it seems to be time to rethink this position.

These would be temporary, water-applied tattoos, available only by special order. It would wash off within a few days. The tattoos would not be stocked in the Scout Shop. Designs would be determined if or when we decided to proceed. We don't envision these to be much different than what kids are already purchasing or applying from special bubble gum wrappers.

We recognize that these could not be given out at schools during classroom events. Although, we envision that they would be made available at other sign-up events.

We'd like to hear your opinion.
There should be a standardized process for ordering BIN items as well as a comprehensive list of all BIN items available to be ordered in order to facilitate easier ordering for councils.
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I fax my trading post orders in every week. And every week when I get my order there's something missing or incorrect. The invoices show only what was shipped, not what I origianally ordered or its status. Can we have invoices that show every line item from our original order, along with a shipped quantity of zero (0) if the item hasn't been sent, and an explanation of why (back ordered, discontinued, not available yet, etc)? This would save me the time of having to call and constantly get different answers about my orders depending on who I talk to.
Moderator Comments
3/12/09
From: Mark Winkelman, Supply, Operations Department Manager

Orders come in to Supply from Council distributors via an automatic interface (if the council is using Sellwise POS), business-to-business interchange (if it is using the B-TO-B web portal), fax or phone. When a faxed order is received by the Customer Service department, order lines are manually typed into the ordering system. . Orders placed electronically get updated confirmations (called error reports) that list items discontinued. Fax and phone orders, because they are manual impute of data will inherently be more inaccurate than electronic ordering. This is not necessarily acceptable, but factual. When a faxed order has items on it that are discontinued, a Customer Service rep notifies the sender either by phone or fax of the items discontinued.
When an order is picked, out of stock items are identified at that time. In the distribution center, real time file updating allows this information to be placed on hard copy packing lists. As you know, each box has its own packing list for its contents, allowing receiving to be done by box. The packing list in the first carton of a shipment will also list all of the items back-ordered for that shipment. Cartons in a shipment are marked “1 of___” so the first carton is identifiable.
The evening of the shipment of an order, a summarized copy of the packing list is sent to the customer, re-organized by original PO line, confirming the quantities shipped. Back orders would be noted. Tracking information is also provided, so that you can track the arrival of the shipment.
Finally, an invoice is created (as mentioned below) with the financial details that shows the items shipped and amounts billed by item shipped with a total. Invoices will always show only the items shipped because it purpose is to be document you will pay against. It is not for use in receiving.
Specific to email notifications, if you haven’t given us your address, or haven’t been receiving notification, call Customer Service to give us this information so that you can use this service.
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Is it possible for the Supply Division and Scoutstuff.org to offer free shipping to people who order? I can't think of any major retailer who does not offer this service to their clients, especially if orders exceed a certain threshold (ie over $100 etc).

This type of service would be very helpful to unit leaders and parents who rely on web ordering to supply their unit when they live far from their local Scout shop and would show the type of customer service that we should be providing to our volunteers.
Moderator Comments
1/6/09
From: Dave Harkins, Business Development, Supply Group

The Boy Scouts of America’s online store, Scoutstuff.org, is meant to complement, not replace, the business done by the physical stores that most members use to make their Scouting merchandise purchases. It is impossible to duplicate the experience shoppers receive by consulting knowledgeable in-store merchants such as those who operate the many National and council Scout Shops across the nation. Scoutstuff.org exists to serve those customers who cannot get to a shop or prefer the convenience of shopping online.

Periodically, the BSA emails its customers who have chosen to opt-in to receive offers and announcements regarding Scoutstuff.org. Since 2006 those offers have occasionally included free or discounted shipping for a time-limited period. For example, during the recent holiday season we announced a limited-time offer of free shipping with a minimum purchase, just as many other online retailers did during the competitive shopping period.

We will continue to find ways to best serve our members and meet their needs during these exciting and challenging times.