The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-01
4Hkr GO. sUr THsY RETURN
Christ-ss eins Rsturued 70 ths shops -
RteIpIsats tor ExehanEe.

RteipIsats for Exchange.
The larger uptown shops we're as crowded
with people for several days after Christmas
as they we're during the previous week. wo-
mon. mostly. crowded about the counters and
the clerks who may have expected a brief
respite after the busy weeks OF Christi
mas shopping. were kept pulling down
boxes and exhibiting goods. As II the
whole thinG had to be done over again.
But this aftermath was worse even than
what went before because few OF the shoppers
wero making purchases most OF them we're
exchanging gifts that they had received for
Christmas and with which they were not over
pleased. Few OF the shops made any obisc-
tion to these exchanges. because they doubt
less made few dollars more on the deal but
the overworke ed clerks have been in despair.
The manager OF large silver manufacture
ing concern on upper Broadway said to SUN
reporter few days ago:
This custom Of exchanging presents has
become worse and worse every year. until now
" Is really nuisance. Women come in here
with trinkets that may have cost anywhere
from 30 cents to So. and they want our clerks
TO overhaul everything in tho store at that
price for them to choose from. Few OF them
know what they want when they come in. and
blandly state that they would like to zee some
articles OF about the same price as the trinket
they desire to return
up the price OF the object btought in for ex-
change and then he has to find some equally
Insignificant article to offer the purchaser.
One woman actually came in here Yesterday
with pincushiOn worth SO marked with her
Initials aud wanted us to take IL back. She
was offended because we wouldn't and argued
that theru we're lots 81 others in this city with
roud no one stain what hs IN HchS9s
for her cushion.
ANOTHER came in and wanted us to take
back some spoons and an inkstand and credit
her with the amount so that she could trade it
out later in the year! And. mind YOU. not one
in ten Of these exchange fends' bought the
goods themselves; they got them as presents
from others.
Another thing we have TO contend with
is this: People come In here with trinkets
packed in our boxes. but the, trlnkets were
never bought from " The, donors got the
the present IN one OF our boxes. so as
bearing our imprint. Wien we tel eli the w 70.
man who desires to exchange one OF these
tHt tho SIs Ss % n by s
the truth and eventually leaves the store in
high dadreHn. We rs! the blame for the
One ot tho department chiefs at Tirany's
toll practically the same story. He aided
most indeScrihhilr because in their case peo-
pie woull come in with plrce Of cut glass.
case or q silver spoon. This makes it neccssa-
~ to credit tn" cut glass at one counter and
partnent. II makes no end Of confusion. and
by the cnd ~ the week. said this gentleman. IL
VIII pr'lhuOIN I've necessary 10 Iake An account
Of stock in several OF the lie part mshts.
In the mems furni shng goods shons the
case IL oven worse. Fond wives and mothers
went to these places before Christmas and
bought cravRts. sncke. and gloves for the dear
ones at home. When tho dear ones got the
goods on Christmas morning many found that
they did not need cravats or socks or gloves.
or that these things were OF the wrong size
and color so the haherdashers have had to
take these things back and give in exchange
either tho right size Of the snme articles or
exchange the purchases for shirts. collars. or
underclothes. according to the needs OF the
people who received the presents.
To put the matter clearly and in few
words" said ono salesman. we have Just
double work on our Christmas sales We have
to, show and handle the goods twice for one
sale"