Subway Excludes Homeschoolers

[Mandy Robbins]

As a homeschooling mom, I was very upset when I saw the following rules for a Subway contest.

"Contest is open only to legal US residents, over the age of 18 with children in either elementary, private or parochial schools that serve grades PreK-6. No home schools will be accepted."

Here is the link if you would like to see it:
http://www.subwayfreshbuzz.com/kids/contest.aspx

Personally, I went here http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/index.aspx

and if you click on "Ask us" there is a customer service form that I left my opinion. I encourage any of you who feel strongly about this to do the same. I know that I have choice where my dollars are spent, and I would rather they go somewhere that gives my child the same opportunities as any other child in this world.

I wanted to let you guys know in case you felt the same way.

[Howlin' Wolf]

Subway tastes good. and i went to public school.

[Mandy Robbins]

I'm not against public school kids. I went to public school. I just don't think it's fair to specifically rule out homeschool students.


There are a lot of homeschooling parents on the boards and why, (as a homeschooling parent) would I want to support a business that excludes my kid?
And so, I can either just stop going there, or I can let them know my concerns and give them a chance to respond.

[Lauriegomer]

Hi Mandy,

I have friends that are/were homeschooled; here was my response:

"Contest is open only to legal US residents, over the age of 18 with children in either elementary, private or parochial schools that serve grades PreK-6. No home schools will be accepted."

Hi, I was wondering, since home schoolers cannot participate, are you planning to have a special contest for them?

Thank you,

Laurie


Let us know if you get an answer...

[middletree]

On the contest page, for a contest which promotes learning, they misspelled "basket".

Can you say "irony?"

[Lauriegomer]

I got a response that some one will answer in 7-10 business days.

[jumpingmaniac]

Thats not right.:mad:

[Mandy Robbins]

I'm sure it has to do with marketing. It's easier to say, Look what we did for such and such school and make a commercial out of it .... instead of "Look at what we did for this child, or their homeschool co-op".

[Healing Oil]

I'm sure it has to do with marketing. It's easier to say, Look what we did for such and such school and make a commercial out of it .... instead of "Look at what we did for this child, or their homeschool co-op".

You are probably right about that.

I don't want to sound rude when I ask this but, what exactly are your children missing out on? What I mean is, did they find this contest, wishing to be apart of it only to find out that they couldnt? I'd be just as frustrated if that was the case.

But like I said, you are probably right that it was mostly for marketing reasons, which is unfortunate.

[SueQ]

I'm thinking because the top prize is $5000 in athletic equipment they want as many kids to benefit from that as possible. Do you have room for that much equipment in your backyard? It would be nice if they had some category for homeschoolers, though.

[kiwisongbird]

Yup, that would make it difficult, but knowing homeschoolers as I do... being one... if they won... which would be a huge worry because often they do... they would likely give it to an orphanage or refugee welcoming place... and Subway would get even BETTER press... silly people! :)

[Mandy Robbins]

You are probably right about that.

I don't want to sound rude when I ask this but, what exactly are your children missing out on? What I mean is, did they find this contest, wishing to be apart of it only to find out that they couldnt? I'd be just as frustrated if that was the case.

But like I said, you are probably right that it was mostly for marketing reasons, which is unfortunate.

Actually, we have a homeschool group here. Several of the kids from our group were going to enter. And if one of us won that would be where it would go to. As for who would keep the equipment, We have a home school co-op, one of the churches is allowing us to use their building and gym, we also have a consolidated youth program that all kids public school and non-public school could make use of.

So, no it wouldn't go in one of our houses where no one but one family could use it.

[wannabaRSgirl]

While I don't think it is fair for them to discriminate, I see why they don't want a homeschooler to win 5,000 for their classroom. That would pretty much be over the top, but they could allow a different prize for homeschoolers.

I wonder if they are afraid that homeschoolers are just too smart and always win, or are they afraid the student didn't really write it or had more help writing it.

[Healing Oil]

All good points SueQ, kiwi, and wannabaRSgirl. I like the idea of allowing a different prize for a homeschooler.

[pamcharlie]

I like subway and i am really disappointed that this contest is not including homeschoolers , homeschoolers are very important and i really applaud all of you mums and dads who are homeschooling your kids , keep up the great work and at my church we have a family who homeschools their kids and i pray that you all have a great time in doing this since there are alot of things going on in public schools that are against God so Go for it homeschool parents . I will pray for you all .

[Aussie3rddayfan]

Subway tastes good. and i went to public school.

I believe you meant to say Subway tastes VERY good. Mmmmm...... Subway. :D

[kiwisongbird]

MMMMMmmmmmm, Thor thinks so too...;)

[The Unknown Gomer]

I believe you meant to say Subway tastes VERY good. Mmmmm...... Subway. :D

I'll settle for a Subway, but nothing beats a Togos (http://www.togos.com/)! When my mom and I flew to CA last year, our first stop when we left the airport was for lunch, and we made a beeline right to the nearest Togos. Had it mapquested before we even left the house in Raleigh so we knew exactly where it was. :D

Mmmm, hot pastrami and swiss. The guy behind the counter was honored to have been able to make me my first Togos pastrami sandwich that I'd had in 12 years. :cool:

[rossid]

Reply:

"Do you want to alienate home school consumers? Do you want to alienate public and private consumers too?

Do you not want me to patronize your store?"

Sent this on to a few home school folks at church.

[Mandy Robbins]

Thank you.

[The Unknown Gomer]

Reply:

"Do you want to alienate home school consumers? Do you want to alienate public and private consumers too?

Do you not want me to patronize your store?"

Sent this on to a few home school folks at church.

I really don't think they were going out of their way to alienate anyone. Like someone said earlier, they're giving away $5000 worth of athletic equipment to "schools". With the exception of the church that is donating their space for athletic things, probably the majority of home schooled kids don't have a need for $5000 worth of sports equipment.

With that being said though, whoever came up with this thing at Subway clearly didn't think the whole thing through all that well, and probably DOES need to hear from any offended homeschooled parties, and maybe they'll think through their next contest a little more thoroughly and come up with something a little more inclusive.

[Mandy Robbins]

Since the student themselves wouldn't receive the prize personally anyway, If the winner were a homeschooler it could go to their local community center if they didn't want to donate it to their homeschool group.

The funny thing is that our Subway is next door to the Youth Center.

[The Unknown Gomer]

Since the student themselves wouldn't receive the prize personally anyway, If the winner were a homeschooler it could go to their local community center if they didn't want to donate it to their homeschool group.

There was probably a whole pile of mumbo jumbo legalese why something like that couldn't be set up, Subway would probably have to get all sorts of documentation set up for the winnings to be transferred from the homeschool group to the community center, so rather than go through all that, on the random chance that a homeschool group in that situation would win, they just decided to make it traditional schools only.

It does stink though, since there ARE other prizes being given away, like that $100 Subway giftcard. THAT would be something that homeschoolers could make use of. And the Scholastic Book thing.

Someone just didn't think the whole thing through well enough.

[Evanescence]

I think they're just trying to make it fair....and probably figured that homeschoolers are in the minority....

I might be wrong but I don't see any big conspiracy with this.... :D

But I do sypathize with the Homescholers and their parents....

But I'm not going to boycott Subway,.....

*Eats Fresh...* :cool:

[Howlin' Wolf]

*sigh*

The battles that we attempt to fight.

there are more important issues in this world than Subway excluding homeschooled kids from a contest that none of you were going to enter anyways!

[VerbumReale]

I think they're just trying to make it fair....and probably figured that homeschoolers are in the minority....

I might be wrong but I don't see any big conspiracy with this.... :D

:


Well you're the expert on that.:D

[Mandy Robbins]

*sigh*

The battles that we attempt to fight.

there are more important issues in this world than Subway excluding homeschooled kids from a contest that none of you were going to enter anyways!

Yes, our homeschool group WAS going to enter it. and our consolidated youth program could use the equipment as much as anyone. But the program is for All kids whether or not they are homeschooled or public schooled.

I understand you may think that there are more important issues. But as a homeschooling parent, this issue is important to me. It doesn't bother me a bit if you do not wish to be involved, but please, don't downplay it's revelance to those of us who feel strongly.

[Healing Oil]

*sigh*

The battles that we attempt to fight.

there are more important issues in this world than Subway excluding homeschooled kids from a contest that none of you were going to enter anyways!

As blunt as this is, I have to agree somewhat.

I don't think this is that big of a deal. I don't think Subway was purposely going out of their way to alienate homeschool groups. You said so yourself, awarding traditional schools with such a prize is more marketable. They would get more use out of it than a homeschooler (with the possible exception of your group Mandy)

Who knows, maybe they will send you a gift card or something for your concern.

Oh, and Im a Quiznos type of girl. Mmmm...Toasty.

[pamcharlie]

Yes I do think subway is yummy at the moment i am requesting my subs toasted and in summer i have them fresh . On fox news last night new zealand time they had a family affected by this ridiclous ban from subway regarding the no home schoolers contest , home schoolers need funding and support because it is hard thing to do .

[kiwisongbird]

Um, I agree that that should have thought it through more and as there are so many homeschoolers perhaps needed to be more inclusive... but at the moment I'm probably more concerned with the situation in Burma where ten of thousands more people are going to die because the world doesn't seem to care... oops - possible highjack here, but probably not... :(

[sandyandporter]

Um, I agree that that should have thought it through more and as there are so many homeschoolers perhaps needed to be more inclusive... but at the moment I'm probably more concerned with the situation in Burma where ten of thousands more people are going to die because the world doesn't seem to care... oops - possible highjack here, but probably not... :(

Great point. In fact, I would challenge whoever DOES win this to donate the $5000 to the Burma relief fund. Seriously. Folks when we look at the big picture, do we really have anything here to gripe about?

Back to your regularly scheduled thread...

[Healing Oil]

Yes I do think subway is yummy at the moment i am requesting my subs toasted and in summer i have them fresh . On fox news last night new zealand time they had a family affected by this ridiclous ban from subway regarding the no home schoolers contest , home schoolers need funding and support because it is hard thing to do .
Honestly, how was this family directly affected by this contest? I'm sure they needed the funding prior to this contest.

[pamcharlie]

Um, I agree that that should have thought it through more and as there are so many homeschoolers perhaps needed to be more inclusive... but at the moment I'm probably more concerned with the situation in Burma where ten of thousands more people are going to die because the world doesn't seem to care... oops - possible highjack here, but probably not... :(

Yeah I am concerned about burma and the earthquake in china too, it seems that the earthquake is really serious since they have had after shocks and they are still looking for people , speaking of burma i need to send away my donation to samartians purse for the water appeal must do that tommorrow .

Now back to homeschooling the family i spoke about last night used to go to my church and they now live up north and the mum does the homeschooling and she has a blog and website too the website is rosieboom.com and for information and encouragement about homeschooling the website is www.boomfamily.co.nz

[The Unknown Gomer]

Um, I agree that that should have thought it through more and as there are so many homeschoolers perhaps needed to be more inclusive... but at the moment I'm probably more concerned with the situation in Burma where ten of thousands more people are going to die because the world doesn't seem to care... oops - possible highjack here, but probably not... :(

... It isn't the world that doesn't care, there's a whole world sitting outside their doorstep just waiting for the government to get past their paranoia and actually let them in to the country to help. :rolleyes: (and a quick clarification, that was an eyeroll in the direction of the Myanmar government, not to you, Sharon. :) )

[Aussie3rddayfan]

MMMMMmmmmmm, Thor thinks so too...;)

He absoletly loves them; but he tells me he has needed to be on a diet lately. Asgard food can be so boring though...

I'll settle for a Subway, but nothing beats a Togos (http://www.togos.com/)! When my mom and I flew to CA last year, our first stop when we left the airport was for lunch, and we made a beeline right to the nearest Togos. Had it mapquested before we even left the house in Raleigh so we knew exactly where it was. :D

Mmmm, hot pastrami and swiss. The guy behind the counter was honored to have been able to make me my first Togos pastrami sandwich that I'd had in 12 years. :cool:

Roasted chicken drizzled with a tangy BBQ Sauce, red onions, tomato, lettuce, Buttermilk ranch with cruchy chilie-lime tortilla strips served on classic white bread. SOLD!

Just makes me want to drop the toasted cheese sandwich I am currently eating and place a take-out order. Mmmmm.... burger.

[Mandy Robbins]

Our group received an email today. Subway has apologized, and realizes that homeschool children could also benefit from the equipment, as it could be donated to their local sports league. They have said that homeschooled children will be included in future contests.

Thank you to those of you who prayed and wrote in. I am truly grateful.

[Genna14]

I was thinking that maybe if they donate to a homeschool, they cant write it off as a tax deduction? Perhaps someone has brought this up already.

[The Unknown Gomer]

Our group received an email today. Subway has apologized, and realizes that homeschool children could also benefit from the equipment, as it could be donated to their local sports league. They have said that homeschooled children will be included in future contests.

Thank you to those of you who prayed and wrote in. I am truly grateful.

I'm amazed that they got back to you so quickly (at ALL, actually :eek: ). That's pretty impressive.

No e-coupons for free sandwiches, though, huh? ;)

[Mandy Robbins]

Well, since a public school student wouldn't be able to keep the equipment for themselves, we didn't expect them to let one of our kids do that either. It would be donated to a local youth center, or sports program, not an individual family. So, yes, it would be deductible.

[jumpingmaniac]

The president of the HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) wrote a letter to Subway regarding the matter and this is their reply.

We at SUBWAY restaurants place a high value on education, regardless of the setting, and have initiated a number of programs and promotions aimed at educating our youth in the areas of health and fitness.

We sincerely apologize to anyone who feels excluded by our current essay contest. Our intention was to provide an opportunity for traditional schools, many of which we know have trouble affording athletic equipment, to win equipment. Our intent was certainly not to exclude homeschooled children from the opportunity to win prizes and benefit from better access to fitness equipment.

To address the inadvertent limitation of our current contest and provide an opportunity for even more kids to improve their fitness, we will soon create an additional contest in which homeschooled students will be encouraged to participate. When the kids win, everyone wins!


—Subway restaurants







NOTE: The HSLDA (www.hslda.org/) is a great organization and if you are a homeschooling parent you should join it!

[Mandy Robbins]

Here is what they put on their website.

http://www.subwayfreshbuzz.com/kids/homeSchool.html

Thank you everyone who wrote in. If you're a homeschooling parent. Please check back and let your child enter. It didnt do any good for us to get the chance to enter if you don't use it.