Can a commercial business make you sell raffle tickets for their fund raiser?

My daycare provider gave us raffle tickets to sell for a spaghetti supper they are hosting and told us that if we don't sell the tickets then we will be charged for them. That just doesn't seem right to me. I wouldn't mind if this was for a non profit organization but this is a commercial business and it is a fund raiser for the company. I am pretty much furious right now! I can't imagine that this would be a legal thing to do, but i don't know.

I'm guessing like many other situations in the world, you'll sell the tickets or buy the tickets; or change day care providers.

No idea- maybe your company's HR person could help answer that one.

I'd personally like to know how they plan to charge you for them. Simply tell them, no, you have no intention to - there is no way it would hold up in court. There are no elements of a contract, whatsoever, and there's plenty of contract case law to back that up. You might also want to look up your area's consumer protection act and see if there's legislation that will also protect you.

Second, if there's an element of chance or prize-winning involved, it's probably an illegal promotion in your jurisdiction. You may want to check. In most places, only charities can get raffle licenses. If it IS a raffle, ask to see their license. It is usually a criminal offense to violate gaming laws.

Third, why does a commercial business require fundraisers? This seems horribly fishy - are they licensed by the town or a part of a municipal network of daycare providers? You may want to call up the licensing office and make them aware of the coercive moneymaking practices that are going on.

Good luck.

Raffle tickets and fundraisers are rigidly regulated by each state. You can't just print up raffle tickets and start selling them. (Actually, you can, but be careful if the state catches on and investigates you.)

But, how will your daycare center enforce the charges to you for the raffle tickets? Legally, the ONLY entity that can force you to be responsible for costs that you have not agreed to is the Court.

Will the daycare center refuse to do business with any and all people who do not sell the tickets? That's a quick way to go out of business.

I think an employee went beyond authority in making that demand and you should mention it to the owner of the business. If the owner concurs with the employee, start looking immediately for another company to do business with. THIS one is way too shady for you to be mixed up with.

You could very well get caught up in RICO (racketeering) laws if the company comes under investigation.