The record-union., 1896-03-29
PROFESSIONAL SHOPPERS.
How They Are Employed in Large Bust
ness Houses.
The Way in Which the Modern Mer
chant Keeps Track Of the Busi-
ness of His Rival.

and the big customer follows the sales
woman to where the big-sleeved coats,
double breasted, single breasted, rough
and smooth finish were laid out for in
spection.
THAT fits, madam, beautifully"
ayers the saleswoman, as the customer
fastens the last button on a stylish
looking coat and turns to view herself
in the glass.
"a trifle loose about the shoulders,
don't you think?" comments the wearer,
craning her neck to obtain better
view
mot at ALL 1t is the way you are
standing that gives the back that ap-
pearance. Here is a hand-glass. Now
see; why, the coat fits you as if it were
made to order,'
II don't like it," decides the shopper
Let me see that diagonal one with the
velvet collar
The discarded coat is drawn off and
the other substituted.
These coats are All really a bar
gain" says the saleswoman as she
tucks in the big sleeves ITS true they
are not silk-lined. but the inside finish
is very neat, and they are such a good
cut
Yes, that looks very well, but don't
like the sleeves; they are a little bit
short, and"-
But we will alter any little fault
like that free of charge" says the sales
woman.
But there's a flaw in the material
right where it will show most" objects
the shopper.
ic fri xrysf ffnY
success, and finally the customer with
draws, regretting that she cannot be
suited.
shes one of them" says the sales
woman to the head of the department,
as she gathers up the pile of coats to
put them back in place.
The forewoman laughs. What
makes you think so?'' she inquiries.
''She didn't want to buy any coat. Two
that she tried on fit like wax, and her
excuses were made out of whole cloth.
1 looked at her real good, and l think
have seen her behind T. IS silk counter
more than once. She just come here to
see what sort of goods we were giving
for 81 So"
And what were you doing in rs
when you saw her behind the silk coun-
tCis CH soy lHc IOI CWOlIidii, lildhlil5
a grimace and pinching her chum's
arm in significant fashion.
Finding out what sort of silk it was
that q. could afford to sell for 9S cents,'
says the other smilingly "Oh, well,
turn about's fair play, suppose, but I
admit 1 got out of patience with that
woman; she need not have tried on
quite SO many"
v,Ja <a ~ A
she has such exquisite taste, and takes
such an interest in everything" said
one of DIS clerks, who had just es-
corted an elegant-looking woman to
the elevator
did she buy the rug?"
mo. She's afraid it don't quite ac-
cord with the decorations in the partic-
ular room she was selecting for. She's
going to advise the parties and come
in again about it. She says she's looked
all about, and that these rugs are the
best value for the money in the city"
Has cards out, hasn't she?" asked
the other clerk.
"Oh, yes. Her means are reduced,
you know, and she shops regularly for
people out of town; makes something
like 500 a month at it"
Il suppose shopping for people out
of town is the only business she is en-
gagged in?' observed the other care
lessly.
What do you mean?"
why, I happen to know that she's
engaged regularly to keep a certain
firm posted on the way the goods run
in other houses
How do you know it?"
We'll 1 could not swear to it before
a jury, because / have never heard her
make reports to the firm, but you watch
her movements the next time she comes
in and 1 rather think you'll agree with
me-
Mrs. AS advocate looks crestfallen,
but he sticks to his guns.
IT'S not nice business to be in, I
suppose he observed, "but what's
woman to do when she's got her own
way to maker"
Yes, / think the artistic work on
that vase, for &c. is something won
derful," declares an enthusiastic pur-
chaser. 'One would take it to have
cost at least S12. Have it sent to No.
% West Blank street, c. o. d.
The charming vase with it's Dresden
shepherdesses and garlands of flowers
in due time finds it's way to No. 20, and
in due time is transferred thence to the
managing referee of big department
store"
Yes, 1 see now,' says the critic chow
Alcott could sell these goods at such a
low figure. And, Mrs. B., the first
chance you get bring us a report of j.
& LIS furs. Buy a cape or muff, if
necessary, and don't feel stinted in the
price. We leave that entirely to your
Judgment
]. & LIS clerks make haste to show
their costliest and choicest goods to
Mrs. B., who shops in her carriage, and
who, from the top of her tastefully
bonneted head to the toe of her smartly
booted foot, is the reflection of quiet
elegance. The attendants are all obse-
quiousness and her slightest whim is
law. The furs delivered at her resi-
dence are not beneath her roof long,
however; they follow the SO vase to the
private rooms of the big department
store
Every merchant who pretends at all
to keep in touch with the movements of
trade, and who is alert as to the cor
rect methods of business, is compelled
to know more about the inner work
ings of rival houses than he could learn
through mere customers" said one who
has made merchandising a study.
Every day the advertising columns
of all the principal papers are spread
before him, and thoroughly canvassed
by men of judgment and keen discern
ment
Gloves, real kid. at 50 cents" reads
one Of these experts. Immediately an
electric bell is touched.