Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-26


HOW TO MAKE OUT CHECKS.
This though 1t appears simple. is not.
1t requires time to master this correctly.
How TO fill out a check. whether II Is
regular sales check. a c. o. d. check.
charge check. an approval check. or
transfer check. all need learning, for
the customer gets easily vexed by the
apparent stupidity OF clerk not know
ING how to I'LL out a check II consumes
much time. and long waits ensue, which
are extremely nauseating TO a customer.
HOW TO KEEP STOCK.
Show me how a stock is kept. and |
will tell you at once what Kind OF sales
people you Nave. A sales person who
grows careless about stock does not
take an interest In your business
Stock must always look presentaple
There can be no excuse for IL being
otherwise. Every article In your stock
should be tagged; every piece Of goods
icketed. not In an off-hand manner,
Out IN plain. clear manner, so that
any one at glance, could tell the price
OF size. Let all Of your tickets be OF a
Uniform size, and Of one color; be sure
or this. as 1here Is nothing that Will
tend 70 cheapen your stock quicker than
unsightly-written tickets. and particular
~ so VI or dluerent cOlOrs
Make nice shows OF your stock. no
matter what II Is. Change your shows
often. Have a nice caro- on ALI goods
you so exhibit no matter what They
are. There is really great dlsadvan-
tage in not fixing display card on all
goods you want 10 use for show, for the
card attracts as quickly as the goods.
oftentimes more readily.
Don't dress eccentrically or fastid-
iously. never lavishly Neatness is the
essence OF refinement Rather look dig
niiiod than loud. The women should
dress In a neat, black costume a nice
collar and cuffs for a change adds to
the general appearance. The men should
look genteel and cleah-snaven at all
dimes. never loudly dressed. You have
no idea how repulsive a loud-lookng
girl or man Is to the average person.
They will never impress one. They look
inspld, no matter how bright they may
be. and you know impressions count for
much.
Don't chew. II there IS one detestable
habit 1t Is chewing In the store, the
men tobacco, the women gum. IL looks
bad. 80 unbuslnesslike. II ought not to
be tolerated for a moment in the
stores Of the present day.
WRITING FOR ADVERTISEMENTS.
In order for the advertising man to
know what is in your stock, you have
got TO inform him. He is glad enough
70 edit your items, II you give them TO
him, but let them be given TO him
In an intelligent shape, written I'm a
readable manner, so he knows what you
are writing about Let things be ex-
planned. Write explicitly, don't leave it
10 the imagination Of the advertising
De.
week, and oftener IL the occasion re-
qures. Acquaint yourself with your
goods, the makeup, The composition, SO
that you can give the correct informa-
ton, and talk about them intelligently.
RECEIVING MONEY FOR PUR-
CHAsES.
BE sure to say, Madam" or "sir,"
as the occasion demands, you gave me
3 bill" or ''you gave me a $40 bill"
or whatever the money may be. This
avoids much after argument, for there
are ever so many people, VINO, forgetting
what money they gave you, are apt to
say when their change comes back, Il
gave you a SO BILL not a g." and really
many believe they did, and then il is aw-
fully hard to prove TO them otherwise,
and even IL you do show him the check,
where you had filled in. in the place
so designated, the amount received, still
they feel dubious and think either You
or your firm have the difference I'm
money. l have seen II 50 often where
customers, who were under such belief
that they had been duped olrt OF their
correct change. win never enter your
store again, and, should one do so, ii
is not with the same feeling Of security.
SO. avoid any harmful argument or dis
cusslon by telling your customer before
you send up your cash what denomi-
nadon OF money the customer gave
you.
HAVE SCISSORS AND PENCIL READY.
You have 10 idea how grating it is
to hear you say MARY, lend me your
scissors l have left mine at home" or
Eva, lend me your pencil, l have lost
mine" The lead pencil and scissors are
part OF the implements OF trade where
such are necessary.
TO put the right address on a label
saves much annoyance. one should ask
twice the address given by a customer.
A wrong address often occasions a dis
appointment and makes an agreeable Gus
toner disDleased. Great care. indeed,
should be used 10 properly address a
package to be sent, or to be called for,
or 70 snip at a later time, so specified by
the customer.
BE honest TO your suggestions; never
oyerdo anything; show your wares to
the best advantage; make your stock
look presentable and YOU will be a sue
cess. Many clerks make mistakes by
being forced into submission. 1t is far
better % do what Is expected OF you In
a graceful manner than to be coerced.
Promptness is another factor IN the
makeup OF good salesperson. That
employee who lags a few moments in
the morning Will lag all through his
life.
Discretion in waiting on a customer is
another rare quality. To a neat person
show neat patterns. To one who is a
little more lavish in style Of dress chow
goods according to such tastes. Never
try 10 convince a customer that your
way Of thinking is right. You can ad-
vance your Ideas, but II you find that
they conflict with your patrons views,
argument Is very harmful
Be truthful under all circumstances
never misrepresent. Even though you
should make sale through misrepre-
sentation, you have surely lost a Gus
toner, and your house loses that pa
tronase. The truth in business Is a
mighty power. and paramount 10 all
other qualifications
Always ne DONG something. III
large store, as well as in a small one,
there is always something that could be
improved. Idleness leads to mischief
Silly conversation back OF counters has
been the slartng-polnt Of the downfall
OF many young people, who might have
made a success of their vocation. In the
first place, by your frivolous converse
ton you lose the respect Of even those
who listen TO your prattle. and besides
that, you do yourself the greatest in
justice. II you do not begin by gaining