The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-19
WAYS OF SHOPPING SCOUTS
THEr WlTOH TEE SCHEMES OF
RIVAL STORES LIKE IA

HoNofu1eo OF what IL aaotnH wv ~ ~ @h-
tabi,ahments or tempstitors-A "swaGGrr"
Wouna Most vnlunbie an = shopper.
In this congestion Of holiday shopping, when
the stores are crowded almost to the point OF
discomfort, other than the everyday, legiti-
mate buyers and pricers make weary tho pa
tience Of the shop girl. Besides the host Of
those shopping in truth, either for themselves
or for stay. at.homes, and tho swarm which is
trying on. inquiring, bothering about this, that
and tho other, there is the army OF picked
scouts accommodating in the interest OF their
respective houses.
IL would like to look at those kersey cloth
coats, those advertised at Ss.9s, to DO sold to-
day" says an alert.looking woman.
Certainly. this way, madam" and tho sales
woman leads the way to where the double
breasted. single. breasted. long and short coats
are laid out for inspection.
That fits madam beautifully" is tho vcr-
dict, as the last button is:fastened on a stylish
looking garment, and the customer turns to
view herself in the mirror.
"a little too loose across the shoulders, don't
you thinki' inquiries the wearer, craning her
neck to get q better view.
"Not at all. 1t is only the way you are stand
ing that makes 1t look like that. Here 10 o
hand glass. Now, scel why IL couldn't at
you better IL It had been made for you."
II don't fancy It." Ia the decision. Let me
try that half.ftting one with the blocked.out
collar"
''These coats are all really q bargain" says
the saleswoman as she tucks in the shoppers
| dress sleeves for the fourth time. Its true
they are not silk lined. but the inside finish is
neat, and they are o good cut. Shall I send
this one. 1t is q perfect atr
'ohl It fits well enough. The sleeves draw
q little about tho elbow
"We win alter any little fault like that FREQ
of charge" puts in the saleswoman eagerly.
"But there's q flaw In the material right on
the shoulder whore It will show most" objects
the customer.
Another coat is tried on with no bettor sue
cess, still another, and eventually the customer
goes away unsuited.
"You didn't make a salei" the forewoman In
quires as her best saleswoman picks up
the discarded coats md puts them back in place.
enc, and nobody could cell to her." is tho
answer. 'Shes q spotter. Two Of those coats
sho tried on at like wax. She just wanted to
SEQ the exact quality and make we were put
ting af. Up . =" si ss;ss Sc 70 a" st t. tell en hrs. ' DaaHes. She
has such nice taste and talks SO in diligently
about tho goods, remarks, the clerk who has
just escorted an elegant-looking woman to the
abe buy that handsome rugl" ono of the
''" mo. She's AFRAID to risk taking 1T until she
sees again the draperies that she has picked out
sSr hne a fSS@ it, sn'I sh n't aays s sRe's S Ioof X S0 All ! 0ve en-
town and that these rugs are the best value for
HAS cards out, hasn't shei' inquiries the
N"oh. Yes. .sho shops regularly for people out
Shopping for out;of.town customers isn't
her only business: happen to know that hat, she's
s snsasdaa on ne sEe %ay tho he s rssaR run r. ef IN other hP% tn.
Her manager will know by tonight all about
S SSs d Iins e Pbs rug Fia and Of fa %OsHi W MSX Do e I hd0E
take an oath to 1t before a jury. because 1 have
meyer heard her make her reports to the firm.
she comes in here and I rather think you will
agree with me-"
Every merchant who ~pretends at all to keep
methods. is compelled to know more about the
inner Workings 1d;a Of rival on. houses t than ana be 3 G SGlf!
ness man. who has made buying and selling a
lifelong study. Each morning the advertising
spre%ps out 1T Before Sa 1e' hmm Pnlne ana t hReTspskRSF' gone one
over and discussed by his as s'h men Of
gloves. real kid, at SO cents" reads one OF these
experts. A messenger is sent at once to the
e aE%,s e oMI . se's tr sna s saoE is se 'dsspneeRea to s1q Il:
yS%eestigate the grade and quality OF the 20 and
asks for, when she reaShes the rival counter.
those"
ct 49, Sss s ss ! aS sss , ,a:1 y !! e ss & f "ssie' ss9 II a 5sSSsS'
n thought that frm was above such trick.
for attracting trade" is the comment, and the
knowledge gained on that score is slowed
It is possible that the professional shoppe,
who examined the rival line of silks bought and
SO cent quality, and produced It for in pectior
In the consulting room Of her manager. Thu
from bath robes to stationery. kitchen utensils
lacss. bric,a,brac' and underwear; =, 49,,
aese afM @u paid II tRR sS depaFt@en atPS store a Sr 6ol'
""The salary depends upon the tact and iudg.
five dollars a week would be the salary Of g
woman who understood her business, even $5t
usual attention from the shcp people; In .
piementS her slender RESOURCES considerably BY
keeping track Of the VARIOUS trade movement
y, 1es tns Ff Tnsrs sto sres1 have sh no h spec dIn saI fa,s b 5S1
their goods, Her social acquaintances have ne
"a woman who has always lived and dressed
0xpensively and who has associated with PEG
Tor personal wear and house decoration than Il
tho best trained expert. no matter how faith
woman's IDEAS and interests have centred il
lEn noWs al and ts SSm 1I5tIs ins th ans outs alt h snd diff has s al
Instinct FOR snv Values h1etc s She Is the Woman WON nAS VIII r.
loves to shop. loves to see and examine pretty
her own. Such q woman ia plentifully sup
? piled with money by the firm employing her
. and she need never go personally to the ofhc,
of tho manager II she wished not to do 80. AL
business is transacted by letter. or the mana
ger calls on her.
"'Yes III take that vase at 30. The worl
on Il 10 80 good 1t looks to be worth more thil
kind Of shopper will say. Have 1t sent to 8:
!. West Blank street The vase is sent TO 8;
? Blank street, but In due time 1t 10 transferred
to the rival house to be by the bust
! ness manager.
Yes, / see now he says. how Alcot!
, It would be well to advise Mrs. Brown, the
first chance she gets, to send some report Of
Ollout & Lindheim's furs. Let her buy a cape
and mutt and not feel stlnted in the PRICE
: show their ~costliest and choicest goods to Mrs
. Brown, who shops in her carriage; and who
boot. is the impersonation Of quiet Gle
! gance. The attendants are all obscquious
ness. The furs delivered at her residence
are not there long. They follow the SIS vase