10 Reasons Why Some Schools Can’t or Won't Buy on TPT
Understanding Why Schools Don’t Buy on TPT and What Teacher-Authors Can Do
Even though TPT supports purchase orders and tax-exempt credit card purchases, some schools still don’t buy through the marketplace. Understanding why helps teacher-authors respond confidently, plan direct school sales, and know when offering flexible licensing or custom solutions might make sense.
Here are ten reasons schools may avoid purchasing on TPT and what you can do as a teacher-author to meet their needs.
School Policies
Many districts have strict purchasing rules. Some schools can only buy from approved vendors, while others require internal approvals or multi-level sign-offs for every purchase. Even if your resources are available on TPT, these rules may block or delay purchases.
Tip for authors: Offer clear vendor information and school-friendly documentation on your own website. Schools often need a PO-friendly quote, invoice, and license statement to complete their internal processes.
Admin Preferences & Access
Some administrators simply prefer traditional vendors over online marketplaces. Sometimes, access to the TPT website is even blocked by school online security filters.
Tip for authors: Make it easy for schools to reach you directly on your teacher-seller business website. A simple “Request an Estimate” form can bridge the gap and capture large school or district orders.
Procurement Rules
District procurement rules sometimes limit purchases to certain vendors or require pre-approved vendor setups. Marketplace sellers may find their TPT storefront isn’t recognized, even if your product aligns perfectly with district needs.
Tip for authors: Consider providing schools with vendor setup details or letters that allow your resources to be processed through their procurement system. You can encourage them to reach out if they need vendor paperwork from the initial quote email.
Licensing Flexibility for Schools
TPT’s most common license model is one teacher, one purchase, one non-transferable license. While this works well for individual teachers, schools often want licenses they can reassign when staffing changes occur in addition to crystal-clear licensing language giving the school of the license explicit permission to reassign it.
Tip for authors: Offering transferable, school-managed licenses on your own website gives schools confidence and flexibility. These often carry a premium price vs. non-transferable individual licenses for purchases by individual teachers.
Curious about the types of license options you can offer? Learn more about license options
Bulk or Volume Purchases
Schools often need multiple licenses for multiple teachers or classrooms. TPT sellers can set discounts for multiple licenses, but it is not standard across the platform.
Tip for authors: Offer custom volume pricing with a clear, school-friendly quote to simplify larger orders. You can offer more nuanced tiered discounts than the TPT platform supports.
Tax-exempt Challenges
Many schools are tax-exempt, and TPT’s process for verifying tax-exempt status can be inconvenient. Sometimes schools don’t even know a tax-exempt or PO process exists on TPT. Schools sometimes avoid marketplaces to prevent mistakes or delays.
Tip for authors: Clearly explain your PO and tax-exempt purchase process on your website and include clear instructions for submitting them with orders from tax-exempt schools.
Wondering how to handle tax-exempt sales on your website? Learn how to accept tax-exempt credit card orders
Resource Scale and Scope
Large curriculum bundles, professional development programs, or resources designed for multiple grade levels can be cumbersome to sell on TPT. Schools may prefer direct purchases to get the exact scope they need.
Tip for authors: Provide custom bundles or a membership option to give schools flexibility while maintaining professional licensing and pricing. Consider direct school sales for products that lend themselves to site licenses or membership options.
Preference for Direct Vendor Communication
Schools often want to clarify licenses, usage, or implementation directly with the author. They may request confirmation on which teachers can use the materials or how resources can be shared.
Tip for authors: Make your contact information and clear licensing documentation easy to access. Offering a License Documentation Form can help schools move forward confidently.
Special Editions
Some schools request special editions or localized content, such as a TEKS-only version of materials for Texas schools or grade-specific modifications. You may not want to create a new listing for every variant in your TPT store, but can easily lay out all options on your own website.
Tip for authors: Highlight your flexibility for customization on your website. Special editions can differentiate your resources while meeting real school needs.
Custom Requests
Beyond special editions, schools occasionally have unique needs. For example, cross-grade bundles, multi-campus licenses, or professional development sessions paired with resources. These requests usually require direct communication and individualized pricing.
Tip for authors: Consider offering service-based licenses, consulting, or school-specific PD packages. Direct communication allows you to capture orders that TPT alone can’t support.
Next Steps
Understanding these barriers helps teacher-authors see why direct school sales can complement a TPT store. By offering clear licensing options, supporting documentation, flexible bundles, and responsive communication, you can capture school sales that the marketplace alone might miss.
Direct school sales aren’t about replacing your TPT income. They’re about adding new revenue streams while meeting school needs more effectively.
Review your resource catalog and identify which items are suitable for school sales. Focus on large/year-long bundles or curriculum that serve as complete solutions for school needs.
Create clear license option information and a simple “Request an Estimate” form for schools available on your website.
Consider offering service-based or membership options for larger or ongoing school programs if they make sense with your resources.
By understanding the barriers schools face on TPT, you can position your resources as the solution schools are actually able to purchase, increasing your sales and impact.
Need more information about how to sell directly to schools? Visit the complete information hub: School Purchase Orders for Teacher-Authors
What if I need step-by-step guidance for selling to schools? The Sell to Schools Toolkit includes workflows, templates, and guidance for purchase orders, tax-exempt credit card payments, licensing, and school communication.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and reflects general practices used by teacher-authors and schools. Teachers Pay Teachers policies and procedures may change. Always review TPT’s official help documentation or contact their support team for the most current guidance.