THAT GREETING CARD IS HOW MUCH?

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a hundred times
or more - "That card is how much?", or "I can't believe
how much greeting cards cost!"
Having been a "card lady" in the not-too-distant past,
I have an idea why that seemingly little piece of
stiff paper with a bit of verse and a sometimes-crude
drawing on it costs what it does. I offer the following
for your consideration:
l. Heavy equipment to make a road into the forest,
includng fuel and insurance.
2. Personnel to operate that equipment, wages,
insurance and benefits.
3. Tree-cutting crews and equipment, just to "fell"
the trees.
4. Sawing the logs into smaller pieces and loading
them onto a hauler, another expensive piece
of equipment.
5. Shipping to the paper mill.
6. The mill's equipment and operators to make
the pulp into paper.
7. Shipping the paper in various "stock" qualities,
to the printing plant.
8. Cutting the paper to size. (Don't forget the
envelopes.)
9. Paying verse writers and artists to complete
the final product.
10. Packing and shipping the finished product
to the stores for display.
11. Wages for the "card lady" (or man) to set
an attractive and easy-to-shop display.
12. The share of the retail facility's overhead
(heat, lights, floor crew, insurance, staff-
including me) to get that all-so-important
card to your recipient (Aunt Molly, Gramma
Sue, or "Little Joey", etc.)
So there you have it. The next time you think
about complaining to the cashier (which might
be me) about the cost of the card or cards that
you're purchasing, REMEMBER WHAT IT TOOK
TO GET THAT CARD TO YOU!!
And besides, do you dare NOT send a card?
Remember the will that you might be mentioned in!
You're welcome, Bill.

P.S. - And don't forget that some of those little
"beauties" have actual photographs, felt, ribbon
and little "doo-dads" on them, not to mention
the gold or silver foil that lines their envelopes.

P.S.S. - How do you think they got that "glue"
to hold the envelopes together, and for you
to lick them shut? "Someone" (Mr. Ed?) ("Old
Nellie"?) paid a dear price for that adhesive!!