THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS

A Little Insight from cartoonist Jim Scancarelli (Gasoline Alley), who, on the eve of the strip’s 90^th anniversary a few months back, wrote me as follows:

Last November I needed to order more India ink so I called the Dr. Martin’s company in  Colorado. The good doctor wasn’t in, so I spoke with his nurse and put in my request for a quart of Black Star (Matte) ink.

“We don’t sell it in quarts,” was her retort, “but we do have it in 32 ounce containers.”

Hmmm. I’ve never been too swift when it comes to higher mathematics, but it seems I remember 32 ounces being a quart — or is it a pound? A pound is a pound the world around or the world is round or something equally baffling.

I was informed that 32 ounces of black liquid would cost me $85 plus freight.

“Wow!” I said, “and I thought going to the gas pump was bad.”

“Do you want the ink or not?” said the nurse.

Needless to say, I indeed purchased this black gold for $85 plus postage.

“You’re a cartoonist, aren’t you?” she asked.

When I wanted to know how she knew, she said only cartoonists buy the ink in bulk.

Now in July 2008, Marcus Hamilton (who draws the daily Dennis the Menace) called the Dr. Martin company to order a quart. The price is now $185 plus freight for the slimy pen juice. Marcus bought a pint. Hope he didn’t drink it.

Surely this wouldn’t come under the heading of price gouging? How could it —  India ink isn’t a petroleum product is it?

I dread to think what the cost will be when the quart (excuse me -- 32 ounces) runs dry.