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V0LUMEt2 NUMBER 4
nONTREAT-ANDERSON
DEC. 9, 1988
M-AC BOOKSTORE PROFITS:
COMPARATIVE SHOPPING IN
BLACK MOUNTAIN
SHflrmOH HODGINS
other factors which influence the
prices of other stores are thier season
When one initially shops at the
Mcntreat-Anderson College Bookstore,
prices that tend to be higher are one
aspect that draws attention. The
selection is small in this store, and
prices are higher on some items.
Despite this fact, students continue to
shop there because of the convenience
and for the clothes that have the
school's name and logo. Research
conducted for this article includes
comparitive prices for selected items
and an interview with the manager of
the bookstore.
Comparitive prices for some items;
specials and "real deals." These stores
are able to mark their price to a lower
one because of the volume that is
bought. Before each semester, hrs.
Andrews buys all of the items which
are sold. So, items are not able to be
on “special."
Concerning the topic of the
schoolbooks which are NECESSARY for
students to buy, yes, the books are
somewhat higher in price. But again,
the prices are due to volume.
ITEM M-AC
BOOKSTORE
ROSES
ECKERDS
POSTERBOARD
$ .45
$ .47
$ .63
LIQUID PAPER
1.69
1.69
1.69
SCOTCH TAPE
.85
.78
.99
LARGE HIGHLITER
.79
.67
.99
ERASER
.40 (no brand)
.37 (Pedigree)
CRAYOLA MARKERS
3.27
2.27
3.39
BICPENS
.45 (apiece)
1.67 (for 10)
1.79 (
Although the bookstore is not
generally the lower priced place to
shop, it is not excessively high in its
prices. My initial opinion was one of
anger that the school could use the
bookstore, which is supposedly for the
students, as a source of revenue. After
reviewing comparitive research and the
interview conducted, one should be
more aware of the situation that does
cause prices to rise in certain areas.
The subject of my interview was
Mrs. Andrews, the manager of the M-AC
bookstore. According to Mrs. Andrews,
the reason why the prices may be
higher at times is "volume." Quantities
of items at the bookstore are bought in
four and six dozen, while a store such
as Roses buys the items by the
trainload. The bookstore generally
follows guidelines for pricing by the
National Association of College
Bookstores. This association sets
guidelines for pricing most
merchandise, which are generally
reasonable. The College may, however,
adjust thier prices at thier own
diJscroMon.
Bookstores on large university campus'
are subsidized by the school. The
school buys all of the books which are
contained in the store, and generally
they are all sold to the students. The
M-AC bookstore, according to Mrs.
Andrews, is not able to do that. The
books are sold at twenty percent
markup on the suggested retail price,
and if there is not a given retail price,
one is set. Out of this 20% profit,
freight costs must be paid for the book
to arrive at school, and if the book is
not sold at the end of the year, freight
cost must be paid for the return trip of
the book.
Comments that Mrs. Andrews made
concerning the bookstore were ones
that were reasonable, and, I believe,
accurate. Because of Montreat's small
size, there are minimal higher costs to
be paid by the students. Perhaps with
new admission standards and larger
enrollment of students—some of the
higher priced items will drop. Mrs.
Andrews commented that the store
makes rock-bottom profits, and that
the store trys "not to be a dgi® to the
college and if anything, makl profit".
She would "rather make less*profit and
serve the student" and does “listen to
the comments of students concerning
items they would like the store to
carry".
Although I am not entirely
convinced of the store's minimal profit,
the reasons why the store contains
higher priced items are sincere. In my.
personal opinion, I believe that the
store should make no profit, and carry
the items for the convenience of the
students. But, what BUSINESSES adhere
to that policy?
HUNGRY EYES
PAULA JOHNSON
When I got back to Montreat from
Jamaica is when the trip finally hit me
in the face. The things we saw, the
things we did, the people we met, the
situations we vrere a part of were only
in our memories. We can escape from
the reality of Jamaica. I was ready to
leave Jamaica when the time came for
us to pack up but once I got back to
Montreat and had time to reflect on the
trip, 1 was sad. I was sad because I
saw how blessed and how good we have
it here in the United States. Eighty
percent of Jamaica is in the poor class.
We have poor sections in the United
States too but we are a rich country
compared to Jamaica, a third world,
country. We found a one room shack,'
maybe 10' by 10', housing twelve
people; eight children and four women.
The record one room house was
occupied by twenty-one people! If any
of these people came to my room at
school, they would think 1 was rich.“I
And you know what, I am rich and you
ore tool We have been made rich by'
God's love and grace. We can afford a
25 cent bar of soap. These people were
begging for just a bar of soap. We canf-l
go to our closet on Sunday morning aird
choose what we are going to wear. One
little girl said she didnt go to church
because she didn't have anything to
wear. There's not many people in this
country that don't know what it's like
to not have a bathroom and running
water in your house. Well, most of the
Jamaican people don't have the
conveniences that we have and we take
them for granted.
How many times do you complain
about the food you have before you?
These people were lucky to have one
measly meal a day. Most of them ben
ind steal to get what food they do eat.
VhQl I'm Doying to gou io probably going
n one ear and out the other. You're
Drobably thinking, "Oh, how sad." It's
lot just sad, it's real! Thirteen
students from Montreat saw it and it
node us sick. I wish all people could
see something like we did in Jamaica
lecause it would make you think and
Tiake you more appreciative. We were
all teary-eyed when we came home
because we really noticed all the food
that people waste. Did you know that
America produces enough food to feed
the whole world? You are probably
saying, “I can't do anything for this
situation." Oh, yes you can! You can
appreciate what has been provided for
you and really thank our Lord for giving
you food that you don't have to beg or
steal for. And when I say thank God for
your food, 1 mean thank Him from your
heart v/lth a real meaning in it. The
next thing you can do is not waste your
food. Don't get more than you are going
to eat and eat all that you put on your
plate. Another thing you can do is not
Cont. on 6
WHO GOOFED?
SGA REACTION
BETS REACTION
GREG FERRELL
Just what happened the other day
in convocation? I'm talking about the
hew policy regarding noise during
convocation and chapel. I'm still not
quite sure that anyone understands
what's going on. If you're interested,
here's the scoop.
First of all let the record show
that convocation and chapel have been a
part of the Montreat-Anderson College
experience for a long time. There isn't
much hope that this will change any
time in the near future. There really
shouldn't be any hope for changing it
anyway. Convocation provides a time
for communication and advertisement
to take place between different groups
on campus. It may not be of Interest to
you but it is to someone. Chapel is also
a vital part of the Christian character
of Montreat-Anderson College. Everyone
knew that attendance was required
before they entered this college.
Secondly, let me say that there is
) lot of talk about the poor quality of
the speakers that we've had this past
semester. The SGA has approached the
administration with a proposal that
would allow more student input on
selection of chapel/convocation
speakers. The administration is veru
Cont. on 4