Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-08-10
MODERN BUSINESS METHODS.
A Brief Insight into the Private Business
System of a Successful Modern
Merchant


paration for semi-annual event of
much Importance TO the people Of De-
corah and vicinity, let them look up
on the splendid cut of Mr.. Ben Bear.
Decorah's most prominent business
man. in this issue. Dropping into
the store a few days ago we found him
in his shirt sleeves, busily engaged in
sorting over huge pile of papers,
booklets, etc.. and at our suggestion
he slipped on his coat, stepped up to
Mr. Reynolds gallery, and this is the
result. AS is often said of him. he
looks best when he is deeply engro sed
i'll some great undertaking.
Busy as he always is. no one ever
found him when he did not have a
few moments time to stop and talk
with friend. And naturally the con-
versation drifted into the subject up
permost In his mind at the time. his
tifty-ninth semi-annual purchasing
trip to New York and the eastern
markets, upon which he departed Mon
day evening. We soon became deeply
! interested in an investigation of the
system he uses in preparing for these
trips, and it would be matter of use
! full information for anyone TO note it.
! First he makes a complete inventory
of the goods on hand in each depart
ment of the establishment. on large
| specially ruled sheets Then he re-
ceives samples of cloths from the cas-
| tern manufactures from which he
makes his selection of materials, en-
tering each into book used for this
purpose only, together with the
prices, styles of lining. finish. ETC.
! These advance orders are then sent in
in large numbers, and when Mr.. Bear
gets TO New York he goes carefully
over the suits, sees that they have
been made up exactly according to in
structions, and that they are in every
sense the very best both in uality,
style and nanufacturr that an be
| produced tur the ~ ley.
In still another book he makes an
estimate of additional stock for the
conin@ season, wbIost.s will selert
when he gets to New York. Each de-
partment of the big stock is given the
closest personal attention. and the
system is so perfect that when he
leaves home he has at his command
| for reference at the instant his stock
at home, the advance orders now be-
ing made up and an estimate of added
requirements. Although it involves
a couple of months labor to prepare
it, the convenience and in fact neces-
sity of it is experienced during every
trip to market.
! Mr.. Bear goes to market this year
with the realization that he is at pre-
sent better enabled than ever before
to be of the best service to his large
clientage as we'll as himself 1t has
always been his business policy to buy
the very best goods in the market and
to give the public the benefit of his
long experience and superior advan-
tages, and each successive trip he has
succeeded in getting better grade of
goods throughout at no advance in
| price. Ths stock is now mostly made
up for him in advance according to
his explicit instructions. and is in a
sense tailor made from exclusive
styles, not patterns found everywhere
The general improvement in cloth
ing stocks of this kind enables one to
purchase here 10 his entire satisfaction
both in styles, qualities and fit. The
boys and childrens departments are al
so receiving special attention, the
same as the mems department. and the
line of gents furnishings will this fall
be larger and finer than any ever
brought TO this county.
The association of Mr.. Bear with
several of the large clothing establish
ments of the country gives him al ad-
vantage over western clothiers, in that
he is able to avail himself of every
facility in puying. and this added to
his recognized financial standing and
many years of experience enables him
to save from five to fifteen per cent in
all his purchases over the average mer-
chant.
Through over a quarter of a century
of absolute fidelity to his customers.
taking them into every confidence in
his business relations, holding strict
ly to the rule of buying for cash and
selling quickly at close margins, thus
giving his trade the benefit of every
advantage he has gained. he has built
up business far reaching and stable
in its character, each year reaching
out into greater proportions. alike
profitable TO himself and those who
are clothed from his establishment.
We are overstocked on linseed oil
and white lead. Call and get prices.
Brunt & Parman.