Think before posting comments on Friends Sites that Sell JW Items to give as Gifts, etc.

[lovjahupepl]

If this is post isn't allowed moderators please remove it.  I am not trying to sell anything so I will not mention the page, store, url, website. 

 

Yesterday someone took the time to post a message on a social media site my daughter runs for her store that said something to the effect "I can not recommend ____  because our faith is not for sale and shouldn't be used to start a business."  I realize it may just be an ex-witness or someone familiar with witnesses trying to be mean but I wanted to just share this in case some feel this strongly. 

 

I realize there are some that have issues with brothers/sisters selling jw related items.  They view it as peddling the faith.  I too thought that at one time but I would "never" post on a friends page/site, etc. a rude comment about my feelings against it.  I asked fellow friends on a different forum I was on years ago how they felt about it.  I asked if they viewed selling jw stuff as being a greedy merchant.

 

They said "No" and explained that in the Bible's situation the merchants were selling things required for worship (birds, animals, etc. for sacrifices ), selling them at a high price AND at the temple.  However, when the friends sell things online, etc. people have the choice to buy the items and the items are not required to worship.   This changed my viewpoint.

 

I later learned that many that were selling jw things are supporting themselves while they pioneer, serve where the need is great, etc.  They make book covers, hand bags, clothing (that are appropriate) for meetings, brief cases, etc.  Would one rather the friends give their money to worldly establishments that don't care about Jehovah, the friends, and sell things along side JW related stuff that is inappropriate for a witnesses.  We can not even walk into a store and buy a greeting card that is tailored to JWs with the words we related to or have quotes from our Bible.  There are so many JW businesses that the friends benefit from such as JW Tours, mazdays, Nursing home, etc.  So would people rather that worldly people give these tours, sell gifts for jws, etc?  No one should be selling anything at the Kingdom Hall we all know that. 

 

My daughter doesn't advertise anything to our brothers, sisters at our hall however, she seems to get calls periodically asking for her to make a gift for someone that is getting baptized, attended pioneer school, etc.  No where on anything sold does jw.org appears and she clearly states in the about us page that the store isn't affiliated with jw.org or endorsed by it.  The only way to find the site is to do searches online for jw gifts.  That means those that choose to buy are actively looking for things for JWs.  I do not mean to cause arguments I just want to post this in case some feel strongly and ask that they don't post rude comments on friends sites.  Its not nice or loving. 

Edited April 26, 2022 by lovjahupepl

[rocket]

Over the years I've found that there are a few of the friends that tend to be "over righteous over much." Try not to let it bother you.

[BLEmom]

6 minutes ago, rocket said:

Over the years I've found that there are a few of the friends that tend to be "over righteous over much." Try not to let it bother you.

We lovingly refer to them as “evangelical JW’s” 😜

[hatcheckgirl]

I think you’ve explained yourself very well. Not greedy merchants at all, but filling a need for those who want such things. Not using brothers and sisters for business, but leaving it up to them to find you on the net, and by word of mouth. 
 

And yes, you are right, this type of comment as feedback is not nice. It’s a type of counsel that they feel the need to give, yet is given in the worst way - publicly and to harm your reputation and feelings. Let’s hope the last study we had on giving counsel struck a cord. 
 

One wonders why they were on your site if they feel that way, their motive was wrong as well. Stay safe sis, and don’t let this get to you. We’re a weird mob sometimes. 

[CHecker]

Angela, I've bought pins, no blood elastic wrist bands, buttons, book binding, books etc. Not all of us are crafty or have the means to make the things we like. I love having the option to get fun, innocent things that also identifies who I worship. 🧡

Like Lynn said, a few are righteous over much. Try not to listen to them.

[New World Explorer]

Some items are bit over the top in my opinion , take below shirt as a example (And no!  I donut manufacture this item) 

[Girl81]

13 hours ago, rocket said:

Over the years I've found that there are a few of the friends that tend to be "over righteous over much." Try not to let it bother you.

I was thinking EXACTLY the same thing! lol. GMTA?

[Girl81]

10 hours ago, bagwell1987 said:

Angela, I've bought pins, no blood elastic wrist bands, buttons, book binding, books etc. Not all of us are crafty or have the means to make the things we like. I love having the option to get fun, innocent things that also identifies who I worship. 🧡

 

Same ❤️

[lovjahupepl]

4 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

Some items are bit over the top in my opinion , take below shirt as a example (And no!  I donut manufacture this item) 

At the risk of sounding judgemental.  I "donut" think it is a JW selling this type of shirt. 🤔 All said, I really donut know how to feel about this.

Edited April 27, 2022 by lovjahupepl

[rocket]

One area of concern in merchandise made for JW's is when a vender copies the Branch's art work to make products to sell.  Take for example the special art work associated with International Conventions. The Branch post a notice not to use for Commercial gain. I know of one vendor that ignored that notice and made lapel pins for each and every Convention using the Branches art work in their design. Knowing of the Branch's notice to not use their art work, I would not buy from that vendor.

[lovjahupepl]

17 hours ago, rocket said:

One area of concern in merchandise made for JW's is when a vender copies the Branch's art work to make products to sell.  Take for example the special art work associated with International Conventions. The Branch post a notice not to use for Commercial gain. I know of one vendor that ignored that notice and made lapel pins for each and every Convention using the Branches art work in their design. Knowing of the Branch's notice to not use their art work, I would not buy from that vendor.

Yes, there are a few vendors doing this despite the Branch saying not to.  The legal Dept for the Branch also stated that they do not want jw.org used on ANYTHING being sold commercially but many vendors still do it.  Nothing my daughter offers contain artwork or anything else from the Branch or the words jw.org.  All artwork is mostly original or purchased with permission to use it commercially. 

Edited April 28, 2022 by lovjahupepl

[Suspended in Time]

There have been some great products in the past - Witnessing Folders, Book Covers, Bible Cards, the list goes on. I've bought a good few of them.

 

Some of the smaller craft type items are made by Pioneer Sisters (for example), who may be on very limited incomes. A little bit of extra 'pin money' could mean a lot to such ones.

 

I felt a little uncomfortable when I stumbled across an entire page of Memorial Invitation designs on Etsy though. I'm sure some of them are very nice. But I do think that such downloadable items are best made available in the spirit of "you received free, give free" - especially when the commemoration of the Memorial is involved.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that profiting off materials for special Field Service campaigns strikes me as being a bit 'icky' and opportunistic. If that makes me evangelical or over righteous, then so be it.

 

Edited April 29, 2022 by Suspended in Time