The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-15

a Store Where Fashionable New York Men
Buy Shirts-Lf They Have Enough 5Ioney.

a Store Where Fashionable New York Men
Buy shrts-If They Have Enough Money.
Letter in Atlanta Constitution
We worship that which is expensive was
reminded of this forcibly by a firm which has
Won its way to the top rank in its own particular
line by unblushingy and shameesSly overcharg-
ing for every article they sell. They describe
themselves as "haberdashers, " and keep what
are known in the vulgar parlance Of the day as Il
gents furnishing goods store. They have q
superb establishment. 1t is the size of two
stores, is fitted i'll polished mahogany from floor
to ceiling, and filled with small army of snob-
bish clerks. A page in livery opens the door for
those who enter, and they never allow customer
to take any article hOmeshimself. If it is only
neck scarf they will send 1t to him, though no
lives five miles away. They have two delivery
for this purpose, driven by uniformed
coachmen, with hunlIes by their sides to de-
liver the parcels. Altogether, the style Of
the establishment is stunning The prices
are so high that men of moderate means do not
buy there. This is entirely to their satisfaction,
as they do not want that kind of custom Moth
ing in their shop can be bought at the regular
prices. Collars for instance which sell usually
at . cents, are 80 cents there; and they charge
so cents pair for cuffs that are elsewhere 50 to
40 1t is impossible to buy any sort of a scarf
or necktie for less than 81, and the price for
smoking Jackets bath-robes, and articles of that
sort, are positively enormous. They demand $2S
for bath-robe Of Turkish toweling, which could
be bought anywhere else in town for $l2. A few
days ago friend of mine dropped in casually to
order some shirts The door was swung open
by an obsequious attendant, who bowed and
pointed to a clerk, who was leaning gracefully on
the end of counter. The clerk stepped forward,
bent and smiled.
i want some shirts, said my friend
''Will you be kind enough to step this way,
sir" and the clerk rubbed his hands together
and walked softly down the store
The customer followed until they arrived at
the Office in the rear. There the clerk was met
by a member Of the firm, who was introduced to
the customer The customer rather astonished
at 50 much ceremony, was asked with great po
likeness to step up stairs, which he did, On the
way the proprietor asked him if he would ex-
change cards This being accomplished, the
next floor was reached, and proved to be q
richly upholstered and heavily carpeted parlor
The proprietor touched an electric bell, and con
versed easily with his customer until the shirt
maker appeared. He was measured carefully.
while the head of the firm walked casually uE
and down the room, as if he had nothing what
ever to do with the shop. He said nothing about
the shirt, and seemed to treat the call purely
social After he had been measured the Gus
toner said; You may make me sample shirt
first"
I'VE never make less than half dozen shirts,
sir. and our price is $50 Dozen" said the shirt
maker, laconicany.
But don't care to pay $50 for a half dozen
shirts. and then find that they do not fit me- and
| think it is an extortionato price, anyway"
Our customers said the proprietor, grandly,
never suspect US of Hitting them and never
ask the price,
Il don't care whether they do or not, said my
friend, 81 want one shirt for trial. and l will
pay you So for it, and that is the end of the
whole matter If you want to do it you may;
if not, don't trouble yourself There are plenty
OF shirt makers in town who charge at least
reasonable figures"
The proprietor looked at him coldly twirled
his eyeglasses in his fingers, and said: Our
customers sir are not grumblers.'
Thereupon my friend freed his mind, stalked
down stairs and out into the street while the
turnkey opened the door and bowed to him re
spectfully. And yet this sort of snobbshness
takes in New York for the firm is the most sue
cessful oue of its line.