Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-08-04

WdDt6Q III Tue ". CtdtSsb oh' 80
Newly ork, which has more direct trade
with the principal towns in the union than
any other seaport, is so much the more
convenient TO- the profession generally. We
are personally acquainted with Mr.. Holt
ard knowing his ability TO execute all Or
ders to the perfect satisfaction Of those who
may deal with him, we feel pleasure IN
recommending him to the patronage OF
printers and ststioners generally.
Mn. SNowpEY,
During the present dearth ofnews, ] send
you an extract from an English paper con.
tanning sketch Of the manner Of doing tu-
-siness in Scotland with the London COM
mercial traveller. 1t contains much hu-
NOR and good deal Of truth, with dash
of the caricature. n.
"Ttis not as in England, where, when an
article is offered for sale, it is Immediately
purchased, or at once rejected as being too
dear, but here there is long hasgling and
cbeapening Of every article excessively Of
fered. The relation of my transactions
with one man will serve to shew the gene
raj mode OF doing business. ] call and in
form him Who'll am, and request him to fix
a time for the transaction Of our business {:
he bids me call again, which | do several
times without doing any thing. He wishes
TO be the last do with, but all cannot be
the last, and all have wished to be so. After
a few days gethim to proceed 10 business; ;
he objects to the price Of the articles ! Of
fer: he will not buy. try to induce him,
but do not offer TO make any reduction
Says he, "you are over dear, sir. can buy
the same goods temper cent lower; ifye
like to take of ten per cent. I'll take some
Of these" tell him reduction Of the
price is out Of the question, and put my
samples Of the article aside /: but the Scotch
man wants it. "Well sir, terrible price !;
but as am out Of it at present, III just
take little till can be supplied cheaper,
but We must take off five per cent" "Sir,"
says |, would you not think me an uncon-
sciondble knaye to ask five per cent. more
than intend to take ?" He laughs at me.
!" Hoot, boot. man! doye ay expect to get
what we ask ? Guide Lord an was ay 10
get ask, Iwould soon be rich. Come,
come, III give ye within twa an half OF
your ain price, and guide faith man! yell
be well paid" ! tell him that | never
make any deduction from the price first
demand. and thst an adherence to the rule
saves much trouble to both parties, "Weel,
welh" saws he, "since you must have il all
your own way, ] must cen take the article,
but think you are over keen So much
for huying and selling then comes the set
Element of the account. Chow much dis
count do you take off, sir?" " Discount |!
why sir, you cannot expect discount after
the account has been standing twelve
MONTH" "Iudeed, but do expect dis
count: pay siler without discount ma, ma,
sir, that's no way here; ye must deduct
i've per cent" | tell him that will take
off no discount at all. " Wee', sir, III gle
ye no money at ALL" Rather than go with
out settlement, | at last agree 10 take of
two and half per cent. from the amount,
which is accordingly deducted. " have
ten shillings down against you for short
measure, and fifteen shillings for damages. ="
"Indeed, these are heavy deductions, but
if you say that you shall lose TO that a.
mount, suppose must allow il. "Oh, ay,
its all right.-Then, sir, here's eight and
four pence for pack-sheet, and thirteen
shillings for carriage and postage" These
last items astonish me. "What sill" say l.,
I" are we to pay all the charges ofyour bust
ness ?" But find that if | do not allow
these to be taken of, he will not pay his
account, so acquiesce, resolving within
myselfth since these unfair deductions
are made at settlement. it would be quite
fair to charge an additional price to cover
the extortion.
81 now congratulate myself on hiring
concluded my business with the man, but
am disappointed. Have we stamp ?"
asks he. "a stamp, for what :" "Just to
draw you BILL" replies he. "A bill my
good sir !! took off two and half per cent.
on the faith OF being paid in cash" But
he tells me, il is the custom Of the place to
pay in bills, and sits down and draws bill
thee months after date payable at his own
shop! "And what am / to do with this ~
"Oh, you may take il 10 Sir William Forbes
and he will discount it for you on paying
him three months Interest" Andwhat can
lido with his notes ;" +" He'll give you a
bill on London at forty FIVE days" 80,
sir. after allowing twelve months credit,
and two and hall per cent. discount. and
exorbitant charges which you have no claim
on us to pay, must be content with bill
for which we are not in cash for four months
and half. "Weel, weel, and now SIR"
says be, "if you are going TO your Inn, III
gang with ye, and take glass of wine."
Wilmington, (Del.) July e9.