From: sbo@vlsi.polymtl.ca (Stephane Boucher)
Newsgroups: can.politics
Subject: Re: Cost of Bilingual Packaging
Date: 10 Apr 92 14:37:35 GMT
	<1992Apr9.162551.16590@bcrka451.bnr.ca>
Organization: Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Canada

In article <1992Apr9.162551.16590@bcrka451.bnr.ca> hemi@bcrkd12.bnr.ca (Hemi Thaker) writes:

   In article <SBO.92Apr4114716@walhalla.vlsi.polymtl.ca>,
   sbo@vlsi.polymtl.ca (Stephane Boucher) writes:
   > 
   > Note that the design and drawings of the packages represent a negligeable
   > cost. You then have to show me that it cost more to print a bilingual box
   > than an English only box.

	   Actually, yes, it does cost a fair bit more. 

How much more?
  
   First of, there are
   about 250 Million people in Canada/US.  Packaging for Canada is different
   than packaging for the states, because our packaging is required by law
   to be in both French and English.  Now, if that box was printed only in
   English (which just happens to be what most of the stuff in the states is
   printed in), then we don't need separate, smaller run designs for boxes
   here.

Does it cost more to PRINT (not counting the design) a box that has French
and English, instead of just English?

What is the cost of a new design?

	   As I'm sure that you are familiar with the concept of larger
   volumes costing less per unit, I'm positive that you'll now appreciate
   that this law is costing Canadian consumers more.  Additionally, many
   products are just not available here because manufacturers are not willing
   to abide by this law (their loss).

Maybe you should do something. Go buy a Corn Flake cereal box in Maine,
then go in LA to buy the same product. Then tell me if the boxes are the
same. I have not done so, but I wouldn't be surprised if they where
different. This is also a fact that companies often change packaging for
various reasons. The only real additionnal cost is only in redesigning the
drawings and writtings on and in the package. This is not significant. The
printing process itself does not cost more.

	   For the companies willing to print bilingual labels, there is
   often another cost incurred, that has a dramatic impact on the final
   cost Canadian consumers must bear.  Packages often must be opened, and
   repackaged with proper labeling. 

Then they have a problem if they can't package it right in the first place.
People should not buy from them because people should not pay for their
incompetence. This is not paying for the French on the box. This is paying
for their incompetence.

   > Should the fed translate the laws in Chinese?

	   Why not?  If there is enough demand for that service, it
   SHOULD be provided... After all, the government is here to provide
   services for the people, right :-) ?

Once again, what is "enough". Nobody among all the people who use things
like "enough demand", "where numbers warrant" has cared to give me a
precise answer. Because of that I can't really answer to your "why not?".



--
  ,                          ,                           ,
Stephane Boucher, ing. jr. | Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal
sbo@vlsi.polymtl.ca        | 
sbo@info.polymtl.ca        | (514)340-5950
Newsgroups: can.politics