Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-11-29
MERCANTILE SUCCFSS-
The Secret of A. T. Stewards Success
as q Merchant


Prooably the most striking instance
OF adherence to a few rigid rules is af-
iorued by the man who is conceded to
lead the mercantile world of fthis con-
tinent- Men envy his success who
might nave stood even with him in
the race had they but inflexibly held
to similar rules.
rlIst and foremost in the stand
which Mr.. Stewart took was the rule
to permit no MISREPRESENTATION of
goods. Purchasers were not slow to
find out that in his establishment
there need be no fear of imDosition
whether they were perfectly acquaint-
ed with the nature of thegoods which
they wished to purchase, or were en-
ureiy ignorant on the point, they were
sure Jr having the truth told. Mr..
stewart had it thoroughly understood
by all his clerks that they must tell
the truth and he had the Injunction
so eOnspieuously placed that his en-
ployes were perpetually reminded of
the great rule Of the establishment
III a clerk was discovered in an over
statement or falsehood, he was in
stantly dismissed. The natural con-
sequence ofthis course was the rigid
sell Advertising power of his business.
Nhen men and women say, $50 or
sehd there, for you are sure to get lust
what the article is represented to be. -
then friend and neighbors are not
slow in availing themselves Of such
an advantage.
The rigid observance of the tome
price" was rule necessarily co-opera-
tive with the first. Dealers confess
that Il IS exceedingly difficult to main
tain thls rule, and where a large pro-
portion OF business is transacted on
credit it's well-nigh impossible but
where the rule is .Pay on delivery. y
1t can be maintained
Comfort is brought to the household
OF every customer when he feels cor
ndent that he can send 8 child or q
a servant to make a purchase, and he
Will be sure OF getting not only the
article he wants, but obtaining il on
exactly the same terms asif he were
to 90 himself. It is a great thing for
q merchant to discover that the money
OF the poor is as good as the money of
the rieh-the cash of the stranger as
good as the cash Of the acquaintance.
In Mr. Stewards vast establishment
the clerks have no opinion whatever
in the regulation of prices this, they
know, can never be taken out of the
hands of the employer.
Nlne-tenths of the terroTs Of shop
ping take their flight in view Of these
rules, and husbands can take courage
and 60 with their wives when they
understand there is to be no badger
ing
There is still another rule with Mr..
Stewart, which has immediate rela-
tion to the comfort and advantage Of
the customer, and that is his emphatic
prohibition of any importantly to
purchasers Who is there, having
had any experience of shopping in
city, that does not feel kind of ter
rOr efa certain class of stores? He
retains vivid impression of his help
less bewilderment amidst Babel Of
recommendations and solicitations.
until at last, from sheer confusion or
the desire to escape, he purchased an
article he did not want, and went out
OF the shop with an inward resolution
never to enter 1t again. But here you
may gaze and on millions of dollars
worth of goods and no man will inter-
rupt either your meditations or ad-
miration. Among the highest pro-
ductions of the cunning skill of man
you may make your choice without
Tear OF the least intermeddling impor-
.unity.-LiPpiHcotfs IlDgizfne for
December.