Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-10-26

HOW TO DO THE
WINTER SHOPPING

NNE can do anything nowadays

NNE can do anything nowadays
with very little physical exertion
IL the way is only known, even
shopping. The difficulty is to discover
how.
Do the buying in reliable store, and,
II good quality is expected, pay good
prices. Merchants are not in the bust
ness from philanthropic motives, and
when they mark an article down 1t Is
because they think it is wise to get rid
of 1t, because the next seasons fashions
will, 9ss chances out of 1000, be some
thing altogether different.
There is very great advantage in
patronizing the same shop all the time
and not rushing about from store to
store in the hope of saving few pen
MES on the muslin or calico or blanket
sale. The loss in attentiveness on the
part of the salespeople, who, after o
time, get to know one, is one Of the
least Of the evils of promiscuous shop
ping. When the salespeople learn to
recognize in one regular customer,
they are more certain to try to please,
and, If there is any after question Of
exchange, the regular customer is more
likely to have latitude granted her in
this than a chance buyer.
One who always patronizes the same
saleswoman and shows her special con-
sideration is likely to have the same
thoughtfulness displayed toward one
self. Saleswomen grow weary of haul
ing down innumerable heavy boxes or
garments, even If they do politely pro-
test that they don't mind in the least;
seleswomen are only human.
Every woman's exchange in the large
towns has list Of women who will do
shopping for one. These women make
business Of doing such work, their
commission being paid. not by the shop
per, but by the stores from which she
purchases. Many women whose homes
are out Of town, or who are kept there
by small children who need their con-
slant attention, often have all their
shopping done by these professional
shoppers, and this with great deal Of
satisfaction.
One who lives in city and has an
account with any firm or is known as a
/ reliable person may have goods sent
to her home on approval. A number Of
selected articles are forwarded, and the
ones most satisfactory are retained or
IL none of them are suitable and the
which will do. all are returned with
out purchase. Merchants complain Of
one disadvantage in this system and
therefore make 1t rule to discriminate
in regard to the persons to whom goods
are sent on approval-women some
times have hats and gowns sent home
that they may examine them or show
them to the home trimmer or dressmak-
oh nj,
where. OF course it goes without say
ing that no lady ever thinks of such
| sharp practices but there are women
who do, but it is not long before they
are found out and favors at the hands
OF shop people for her become few.
The best way to shop is to make
list of what Is needed, not depending
on the memory, as most womel, do.
The articles to be bought should be
classified according to departments in
which they are found. For instance,
the different threads, needles, tapes and
hairpins are to be found in the notion
department; muslins and all linens are
generally near the same place, and so
on. II the shopping list has been sys-
tematized, 1t is amazing how soon the
work Is done.
In household where there is only
a maid Of all work it is good plan to
rise early and finish the homework as
soon as possible, emitting anything that
can be allowed to go over for day.
The servant maid will doubtless be glad
of day in the shops and will be quite
willing to accompany her mistress to
look after any small parcels or take
care of the children while goods are
being examined. In some of the large
stores there are ladies' reception rooms,
and Bridget and the little ones can be
left there while their mother does her
buying.
One cannot but be impressed with