As more and more printers become FSC or SFI Chain of Custody certified, sales and customer service staff will be promoting certified papers. Today's Letter to the Editor brings up a challenge - and a push-back - from a customer. What do YOU think? I thought you might be interested to hear a response from a long time customer about our FSC program. We quoted a big job on a non FSC paper (because it was cheaper than FSC) and told her about our FSC/SFI certification. This designer works for a home builder who uses wood products. We offered FSC paper alternatives for her project and she did not like the price. Here is her response, unedited.

"I don't think they're willing to pay extra for FSC/SFI - I just don't think anybody should ever use paper illegally harvested or taken from areas where the harvesting causes thousands of people to die from floods, like happened with the tsunami. I challenge you, as a "green" printer to, as a policy, stop offering this kind of paper to your clients. It shouldn't matter what people know or don't know - you are well informed, and you have the unique opportunity to lead the way."

So, she wants FSC paper but doesn't want to pay for it. Other people should pay for it? Don't we call this hypocrisy? It's ok for you to pay extra and go the extra mile but not me? I could have a million responses to people like this but the bottom line is, it is easier to talk the talk than walk it. What would your response be to this type of comment? Todd