The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-22
AGAINST STAMPS.
GrOcers Trying to Do Away
With Premium Scheme.

"a special meeting of the grocers and
several other merchants of Topeka was
held last night to talk over the premi-
UNI stamp question which is creating
such a stir just at present in business
circles and if possible, to devise some
means to overcome the nuisance. There
was a large attendance of the repesen-
tative grocers of the city.
The meeting was called to order by
T. M. Hanley, who said: This spec
ial meeting is called to talk over and
discuss what shall be done with this
Premium stamp business. 1t has come
to that point now when the merchants
must take some action. We are not
receiving any benefit from this stamp
concern and in many instances the
merchants are being hurt by being
compelled to continue using these
stamps. 1t is a detriment to the legiti-
mate business man. hope that those
present tonight will thoroughly discuss
this subject and arrive at some conclu-
sion, in regard to course which we will
pursue in doing away with this evil,
w. H. Weber: There is no doubt
that we must act and do so at once.
We are deriving no benefit from this
stamp business but yet we continue to
use them, and the profits are going to
the stamp concern. The presents are
miserable, as every one here knows. For
many dollars worth of stamps, a pres
ent is given which could be bought for
about 25 cents
d
store on East Eighth street, said:
This stamp business has become a
veritable nuisance. have talked with
all the leading grocers of the town and
they all say the same thing. My Gus
toners, that is some of them, said
when the stamps first came out, that
they would have to trade somewhere
else unless I gave the stamps. Well,
what could do. I bought a few and
was compelled to do so. paid good
price for them. And I do not believe
that those stamps ever did me a single
bit of good. had gotten into the trou-
BILE and then I wanted to get out.
talked with several of the merchants
and they felt the same way. 1t was
benefit to no one but the people who
sold the stamps to US. They got the
money and we got the stamps and
our customers got a few cheap pres
entS for them in return.
Il saw Mr.. SprOat of the Star gro
Gerry and he said that it was a nuisance
of the worst kind and that he got tired
of paying that stamp concern $15 to
$40 week and so stopped using them,
and never expects to use them again.
I saw several grocers on Kansas ave-
nue. and also in North Topeka and the
feeling was the same in every case.
They all would do away with his stamp
business. There are a great many ar
ticles which have to be sold at so close
a margin that it is impossible to give
these stamps and make and profit
Charles Adams said: DO you ind
contracts?"
Mr.. Stearns: Yes, they generally
have a contract for year, but do not
believe that the contract need bother
US. We can do away with this stamp
business
H w Davis-I have had about so
days experience with those stamps and
they cost me 2 per cent They are
positive nuisance and I found it out so
and have quit using them.
W. H. Weber, have quit the stamp
up again. Some of the merchants are
giving stamps on the payment of old
bills but do not intend to be caught
that way. There is not much profit
in the grocery business anyway, and
what little profit there is, if I want to
divide it with some one why prefer to
give it to my customers and not to
some outsider who gives US nothing in
return.
VIM. Dransfield-We have never used
premium stamps at our store, and
never will use them.
Geo. J. Lepper; Il have used them
for two years and find them to be one
of the biggest detriments to my bust
ness. I do considerable RIGHTEOUSNESS
and I can not afford to give stamps
for old bills, but have to in order to
hold my customers. If the customers
only stopped to realize that the pres
ents that they received in return for
value, they would not be so anxious
to get the stamps. I intend to quit
using them"
T. NJ Hanley: "I do not use prem
ium stamps and never expect to give
Them
Charles Adams: I'VE had the stamp
people on the run last year when the
city council passed that stamp ordi-
nance, but after things quoted down
a bit they went to work again harder
than ever. We will do away with this
business this time and make it a last
ing arrangement. There is no use of
the merchants paying part of their pro-
fits to a concern that benefits no one
but themselves"
The meeting adjourned without tax
ing definite action