Posted by Jack01 [Jack01] on November 10, 1999 at 06:57:34 {AAJB0ph6mYU4t/uRmBXgJDBxjpBDR2}:
In Reply to: cost of books posted by Searching on November 10, 1999 at 05:44:19:
You might want to check out Randy Watters website freeminds.org. I believe he has some info on printing costs. Anyone is welcome to correct me if I'm wrong but at the time magazines where being placed for 20 to 25 cent per copy the printing cost was about 4 to 5 cents a copy. Once again everyone correct me if I'm wrong on this. I don't want to be blowing smoke.
If this is the case the WTS is making unheard of profits on the literature. In my business a 10 to 20 percent profit is considered good. That would be the equivalent of selling the mags for 5 to 6 cents rather than 20 to 25 cents. Another example would be the grocery business. Grocery stores typically make a 1 to 2 percent profit. It's a very competitive business.
This is the WTS's strong suit. They have no competition. They have 5 to 6 million "customers" who must buy their products or be seen by their peers as spiritually weak. Think about it. How would anyone in the congregation be viewed if they refused to buy WT literature? It's true the WTS does not pass the plate in the formal sense but you must make a donation (and not a private one but a very public one) or be viewed as weak and certainly not thankful for the "fine spiritual food". In fact you would not longer be counted as a JW since you wouldn't be publishing.
No pressure there eh! The Watchtower has its ways.
Sorry if this sounds strong and cynical. But the Watchtower is strong and cynical.
Jack