The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-22
TO INCREASE AMERICAN TRADE.
Suggestions by "a United States Com
mercinI agent in France

mercinI agent in France
Walter T Griffin United States Com
mercial Agent at Limoges, France, in an
exhaustive report to the State Depart
meut gives advice as to the means by
y Inch American trade can be created in
France He refers TO the impetus recent
~ given to expectations from the United
States, .nd 10 the zeal that American ex-
porters are showing to increase their
trade with foreign countries.
This consuIate-and it is presumed 9TH
er consulates, aiso-is flooded with re
quests from American citizens for infor-
nation and aid in extending their trade, g"
says Mr.. Griffin. The form of the re
quests Is generally that names and ad-
dresses of firms interested in particular
branches of commerce in which the writ
ers are engaged be furnished by the con-
sui, or that their catalogues, which are
often sent in large quantities and usually
lack sufficient postage (which mUst, how
ever, be paid TO the French postman).
should be distributed by the consular Off
Ger.
Tho parties making these requests are
as rule entirely unfamiliar with the
country and its requirements, and. if the
consul makes any suggestions that are
contrary to the manufacturer precon-
ceived icea. his word is considered unsat-
isfaCtory.
1T is respectfully suggested that Amer
lean exporters desiring to extend their
foreign business comply with the follow
ing conditions before they take the trou-
bic to send catalogues, etc, to European
countries
The american exporter must under
stand the wants Of the market he desires
to enter and supply before he can find
purchasers. 1t is no proof or reason that
because a certain article finds a ready
sale in the United States, it viii sell
abroad.
A short time ago, two letters from
American exporters were received at this
Office. One was from a manufacturer Of
Tefrigerators, the other from a manufact-
Urer of kitchen ranges having hot-water
backs.
After carefully studying this consular
district. it was found that only two private
houses possessed refrigerators (both of
which were owned by Americans who
brought the articles from the United
| States, ard two ranges having hot-water
backs were also in houses belonging to
Americans
Ice is commodity that ordinary per
| sons here never use except In sickness
The winters are so damp and mild that
practically no ice can be collected; there
fore, if any be consumed, it must be manu-
featured artihciaHy-
The ranges with hot-water backs are
unknown By these people. II viii be many
years before such articles are required !:
while. on the contrary. plain, simple base
burners (using bituminous coaD Will find a
ready and steady sale If manufactured
| especially for the French market and 10
suit the French taste.
Rocking chairs never sail, with rare ex-
ceptions; but plain chairs, such as have
been used In France for centuries. will
continue to be sold for another hundred
! years This rule applies 10 many other ar
ucles popular in America but unstable in
/ France
Every catalogue. business card. etc
that is TO BE- distributed in France must
be in the French language. weights and
prices must be expressed according to the
metric system and IN francs. No dealer,
either wholesale or retail. IS going TO
translate any documents OF push Aneri-
/ can articles unless he IS richly paid for
/ tha trouble An ounce, busheI yard,
/ pound, and mile carry no meaning 20 the
1 ordinary Frenchman. and he would prefer
I 10 pay more for an inferior article de-
! scribed in familiar terms and language
than TO bother trying 70 decipher a paper
I In an unknown tongue and with Huintelli-
I gibie weights. measures. and currency.
! Not only should the French language be
:
/ insure their being read.
An commodities destined for table use,
such as preserved meats, fish, fruits,
I preserves etc should be neatly attrac-
{ lively, and carefully put up and packed
The appearance of packages has much TO
90 with selling merchandise in France
/ There IS no country in the world whose
people are more particular as TO the man
neT IN which food tand IN fact everything
/ is presented to them than the French. It
! il certain that many excellent articles
! fail to be accepted through faulty and
careless OF sIOVenIE packing
ANY deViatiOn-eyeu an UnintentiOnal
/ deyiatiOr-ia the shape. style. or color of
1 the WrappingS. OF any difference in the
! apt to awaken suspicion in the mind Of
the foreign purchaser. although no wrong
/ may be done or intended: exact couforIni-
/ ty to samples. on the other hand. always
inspires confidence
When presenting bulky goods. such as
hardware, agricultural implements, wood,
tools. etc, the seller should he careful
/ TO give the purchaser a definite idea as
/ to the probable costs If a French BUYER
can know that the merchandise viii cost
! 50 many francs per 100 Kilograms in New
York. and that the freight to HavTe. BOr-
deaUX, MaTseileS. or any other French
port viii be a certain sum on Il given
I date. with an average price for a year, he
/ - enlightened on the very points that he
/ wishes to know before considering the
! purchase Sales may be made more read
I lly II this way than otherwise.
The exporter is advised 10 state that
/ the price given includes cost. freight. and
/ Insurance 1t Is also wiser for the seller
| 10 insist that the buyer shall pay the
customs dues. dock dues. and inland
/ charges (if any, because the COnSfgnee
I can make better terms than the foreigner
/ can ever hope to make.
There is published in France a com
merciai directory called lie BOttin' Cop
/ les OF this book may be found in the Ii
bT9TieS Of nearly all large American cities
and in many of the important hotels in
! the United States lie BOttin gives the
names and addresses Of manufacturers
dealers. and merchants IN the several de-
DaTtmentS of the country which are cIaS-
sitled according to trades. professions
etc, in the various cities and towns of
France. Exporters will find this an aid
in trying to extend their foreign business
If they care to examine this directory
/! they can easily find out the names of
persons apt to be interested in their line
of trade. and if they desire further in
| formation concerning the French dealers
! the consul Of the district in which these
people live can readily give any inforna-
ton about them that ne may be able 10
obtain
The solvability OF merchants. manu-
facturers, and dealers in France is per-
! hdpS more difficult to ascertain than IN
the States, but general data can be gotten
| IN most instances without much trouble
| All banks in France will give information
| as to any house or firm required for
small fee-from = to 70 cents for each
person
I If the foregoing suggestions are fol-
lowed time will be saved to the exporter
and consul and much useless correspond
euce avoided"
TuE TNnITSTRTAT C0NHTcSToHT