The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-19
Rules for Shopping.
Boston Transcript

As the pleasure associated with buying is
far greater than that Of possession, when
starting out on a shopping tour, you should
enter thereupon with mind perfectly un-
BIASED by previous choice By not know
ing what you want, you will be the longer
in choosing, and the longer you are In
choosing, the more shopping you get for
| given expenditure of money.
To be sure, you will probably purchase
something that you don't want, and some
thing which loses its attractions as soon az
1t is divorced from the shepkeeper's coust-
er; but then the things you did and do want
must still be purchased, thus necessitsting
more shopping, or-which is the same thing
more pleasure.
1t gives pleasure also to the salespeople to
wait upon customers who come upon them
with purchasing minds In state Of chaos.
Saespeople are a soclable race, and love to
have customers come and chat as long as pos
sible, especially 10 the busy season.
II sometimes happens, however, that the
salesman, forgetful of all else In the fasclna
tion of your presence and your conversation,
will inadvertently show you articles that mo-
body else would look at, and perhaps lead
you into buying articles hitherto considered
unstable. But do not blame him. Re.
member that you are the innocent cause Of
his forgetfulnesS; and remember, also, that
long after you are gone he thinks Of you with
increase. pleasure.
Never be In hurry 20 buy. Patience ID .
virtue, and you can do no greater service,
especially during the busy season, than ty
assisting shopmen to exercise that virtue.
When you enter a store, rush impetuously
up TO the counter, and make your wants
known Immediately without waiting your
turn or caring that you interrupt the bar
gaining in progress with those who are al
ready at the counter. This will give people
an idea of your superior Importance, and
they will respect you accordingly. The
salesman, of course will drop everything and
attend upon you at once
Never pay the price named without asking
If that is the lowest and If they won't take
off something, Most Of the stores do busi-
ness on the one-price system; bnt by at
tempting to beat down, you indicate your
shrewdness and capacity for business.
IL you have entered a store simply TO price
goods, do not tell falsehood In excuse for
not buying. Tell the salesman that you are
much obliged to him, but you only came In
to inquire on behalf Of friend.
The best rule, however, is never to 60 In
to store without getting something, how
ever small. A few patterns, for instance.
You may not need them at present, but
some day you may want to mako patchwork
for a church fair.
If you have any punched silver pieces, put
them forward first. II the salesman tells
you that they don't take punched coin, say
that you got IL there the day before. un-
less he is as good at lying as you are, yoo
will have the best of him.
After taking the clerks time for an hour
OF so, never neglect to say before going that
you will call again. If you do not, the clerk
will not complain 1t is no harm to break
your word when you thereby give pleasure
to another.
After you have purchased what you want
ed, sit and chat with the salesman for .
while. People who are waiting to bny will
forget their Impotence in contemplation Of
your remarkable conversational powers.
In buying shoes or gloves, always give the
size of your foot or hand several numbers
smaller than it Is. This will not only do
ceive those within earshot as to the mani
tude of your extremities, but 1t will help the
clerk to earn his wages by extra work.
Ii you are gentleman, OF course II 10 un-
necessary to remind you that you should
firt with the saleswomen, and, II you arc
lady, 1t is equally needless to tell you to .m-
press upon the young women the vast differ
ence between those who have to work for
living and yourself, who get kind Of living
without working for 1t.