The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-09-04
Various Kinds Of Customers,

One would naturally suppose that every
person who enters a shop is aware Of
what he requires. Our experience, how
ever, shows that shopkeepers and shop
men are accustomed to recognize two
classes of customers, those who know
what they want, and those who do not. In
the first is to be found that customer who
is SO rare and so perfect that we will call
him the ideal customer. He exists as q
sort of fond dream in the mind of the
shopman, sometimes, but all too seldom,
realized. He knows what he wants, and
he knows the price; he asks for it, pays
for it, and takes it away. Heaven prosper
him on his way! He is a model to all
customers.
Now if the shopkeeper did not possess
the article required by the ideal customer,
he would inform him so, and the GUS
toner would leave the shop. In this re-
spect, and in this only, he differs from the
Obstinate customer, who, although quite
as clear on his requirements, gives far
more trouble. For he is no sooner in
formed that the article he wishes is not
kept, than he betrays belief that it is,
and that only laziness or lack of under
Outstanding prevents his obtaining it. He
therefore institutes a little search on his
own account throughout the shop, natur.
ally infiicting annoyance on the feelings
of the shopman.
We will suppose the Obstinate GUS
toner enters a chemists shop, and asks
for pair of washing gloves. He is told
that 1--WE do not keep them"
Don't keep them?' he exclaims, gaz-
ing keenly around the shop; ''dear me,
that's very awkward! What is that pile
of things on the shelf Just above your
head there?"
He is told that they are chest-protec-
Ors.
"Oh, indeed! chestprotectors, ehs They
wouldn't do then-they-wouldn't do"
This is said slowly as the speakers eye
wanders searchingly around the shop.
Presently he says again, probably point
ing rudely and officiously with his um-
brella:
"Isn't that pile of things there with the
red borders to them washing gloves?
think they must be!''
They are accordingly taken down and
shown to be something quite different to
washing gloves. A glimmer of intelli-
gence will then, perhaps shine upon him,
and he will say, swell, if you haven't got
them can't have them-can l ?" And
euCA SoStAHS suspicious SlduCcS HFOUuU
him, he leaves the shop slowly, and the
something in the window does not attract
his notice, and bring him back again.
A customer much to be avoided is the
1ndiscreet customer. He orders readily,
and speedily finds what he wants. But
he never thinks about price, and generally
never inquiries until the parcel Of, goods
10 v,ooko1 mn m, AZ, h oro~>o,,e
that the price is three or four times what
he expected or can afford, and an awkward
dilemma is the result. It generally ends
in the parcel being opened, and goods ex-
tracted until the amount is reduced to
within the reach of the Indiscrcet custom
er's pocket. ''@.'''.
This customer is the more annoying, as
the mode of dealing with him is so diff
cult. II 1t be attempted to discern the
probable worth Of the individual by his
danger Of confOundiDg him with the I'm.
known customer, who is at once the hor-
ror and delight of shopkeepers. We will
narrate fact we came across to illustrate
this. z.s
A shabby old gentleman walked into a
jewelers. shop, and asked to be allowed to
look at some t0pazes. Three or four were
accordingly shown to him, and he quick
" selected the best, which he said was
hardly good enough. .Ah, but you see
eler, rather patronizingly. II can assure
swer any ordinary purpose"
The old gentleman looked around him
in dissatisfied way, and presently caught
sight Of large and beautiful stone IN a
corner of the jewelers. glass case.
s'That looks more like what want"
said he; "let me look at that one, will
your" ~ c..s.s. ~
1T will be very expensive, sir; very,
indeed-more, dare say, than you would
like to give. The stone you have is very
good. SIR" 1a' ~
In . quiet voice the old gentleman
asked If the stone was for sale or only on
view. At this rebuke the jeweler pro-
duced it, naming high price. It was
Immediately chosen; and his customer,
taking sketch from his pocket, said:
"Get that coatofarms engraved upon
II, and send me word when it's DONE"
Il He gave his name and address. He was
. noble earl, and the shopkeeper had COM
mitted the grevious error of treating him
as an Indiscreet, when he was an I'm
known customer. 8gst.8.oa 1. ia j,
!. One Of the most remarkable specimens
is the Communicative customer. This
person, It appears, will with the slightest
encouragement land sometimes withoutl
converse freely about his personal and
private affairs over shop-counter, to an
Individual he has never seen before in his
lie. "A gentleman Of this class, on the
simple Introduction Qccasioned hY the