The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-05-19
MAIL ORDER PROBLEM

Editor Gazette:
The appointment Of a committee
on the mail order question has stirred
up a tremendous turmoil. The queer
ideas and misconceptions Of Just what
this committee was expected to do
have prompted this communication,
to which 7 will ask you to give the
greatest publicity possible.
The fact that a very large amount
Of goods IL being bought outside Of
Billings was called to the attention Of
the 't25, 900 club and this committee
was appointed to investigate the mat
ter that Is the whole matter.
Our local merchants are here for
business--they have everything in
vested in their locations, their stock,
their business-and they must depend
on the trade Of this territory to suc-
coed, sS8 HE
The local merchants pay the taxes,
provide schools and churches and pub
lie buildings and roads; they are CIV
ing credit to those of us who do not
happen to have the ready cash when
we are in need Of certain goods or
services; their money stays right
here and helps to build up this place.
They need and expect the trade Of
their neighbors, and in all reason
they should get tiff they deserve It.
II they don't deserve that trade they
can have no objection to seeing 1t go
elsewhere.
In all common Justice, however,
they should have a right to be told
why and how they r at fault. and
for what reasons this trade is going
to houses who have never done one
single thing for Billings or Billings
territory. That is the whole story.
Now, there is a reason for every
thing, and this committee wants to
find out the reason for this condition.
If the Billings merchants have
failed in their duty to their patrons
in any way It Is only fair to let them
know Just wherein they have SO
failed.
II their goods lack quality, or are
too high priced, or their methods Of
selling are discourteous they should
know 1t, they want to know it. They
are as anxious to satisfy their patrons
as these are to be satisfied.
When you pay a man to work for
you, and he doesn't satisfy you, you
will tell him Just why before you dis
charge him. He has q right to know
and you have q duty to tell him. But
when you are not satisfied with your
treatment in a store-in goods, prices,
treatment or what not-do you always
act fair BY the merchant and give
him an opportunity to make good?
Merchants, IN spite Of the common
opinion to the contrary, are only hui
man. They do not cheat, and over
charge, and act rudely Of malice afore-
thought. They want your business,
and they know that they must de-
serve your trade to get and retain It.
But remember that they are human,
and that mistakes d misunderstannd-
ings will arise in the best regulated
family. That when, for some reason
OF other, you cease or refuse to deal
with them, they have no means OF
finding out that reason, SO that they
CAN satisfy you, unless you explain.
Now, the merchants Of Billings be-
lieve that they can sell just as good
goods. Just as cheaply as any house
outside Of Billings, and they ask to
be given a fair show to prove that
they can do so.
They want to know the reasons why
outside firms are getting the business
that should remain in Billings.
/. as one Of this committee, want
to meet with U farmers who have
goods to sell, and with all others who
are buying goods outside of the local
stores, and find out their reasons.
I want factsI don't care about
names. It matters less WHO you
are than WHY yon are sending away
for your goods.
I want this to be an invitation to
every one in the surrounding terri
tory tc see me or 10 write to me-. and
register all the kicks that nave any
reason for existence against the local
merchants. Don't be afraid to give
me your full reason for not dealing II
Billings, II you have one. and don't
worry about any publicity want
your reasons, not your name.
believe that out OF the concerted
action Of the consumers and the mer
chants, we can evolve a plan that vii
be satisfactory to all concerned. and
that when your reasons are presented
to the merchants you will find then
~ wocvn %hon willing tt