The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-08-18
Taking Things Back
By Avis Gordon Vesta1

packed away again neatly nor displayed
so as to look attractive to fastidious
purchaser. so am forced to sell them
at a reduction on special sale days, along
with the soiled embroideries that care
less women handle over while waiting
for a busy clerk.
A grocer in small town had the fol-
lowing experiences: A country customer
bought a quart of seed peas in April, then
changed her mind about planting them.
In August she offered to swap the seed
for crackers.
A cousin of this farmers wife rented
some dishes for reception and after
ward without the grocer's knowledge,
loaned them to this slow woman who
promised to deliver them to their owner
promptly after her own party. The cous-
in soon left for extended visit and
it was six months before the dealer
learned in whose cupboard his absent
plates and cups were reposing. letter
to the woman, asking the return of the
rented china, brought no reply. sec
ond letter, stating that, as the dishes had
been out in so long. he must consid
er them sold instead of rented, and en-
closing bill for their retail price sue
mad to use the provoked merchants
words. and brought the dishes to town
curing the noon hour when she knew the
little "order-boy" would be there alone,
OTHER undecided purchasers have
~ brought back-or have tried to exchange
tissue paper, creased by folding: books
which they did not like after they had
read them; soothing syrup which did not
agree with the baby; false teeth: win
dow shades spotted with mud; fashion
magazines after the next months issue
was on sale; rolls of wall paper of
previous years pattern, and duplicate
wedding presents minus their attractive
wrappings and bookings and without
sign of the cards which had marked their
cost and selling prices
1t seems that this custom of asking
exchanges must be Il habit. for some peo-
pie are constantly doing this. while others
practically never request 1t. Lack of abil-
ity to decide even trtling matters when
choosing article and carelessness in
buying what one does not need are
causes of real harm to the thoughtless
buyer herself. Mrs. Mlliken, for instance.
might have saved her time. nervous en-
ergy, and car fare if she could have made
up her mind even approximately, before
her first trip Then, with shopping list,
She could have searched more quickly for
definite things, examined them if they
to be had, made the purchase once
for all. and have gone home with a salts
fled mind, free to think of other things.
The results to the merchant and to the
customer of this indiscriminate buying
and needless exchanging have been men
toned; now what about the retail clerks!
Are they affected by this multiplied tenn
porary purchasing:
Mollie. who sells me gloves tells me:
I'm these big stores, If we salesgirls get
an increase in wages it is because our
tickets show an increase in sales. SO, If
| sell pair of gloves and exchange them
once because the color doesn't suit the
girls mamma, and again, when she ue-
cidcs that she can squeeze her hands into
Il smaller size after all. have spent the
time necessary for three sales, yet get
credit for only And maybe then l
miss a chance to attend another customer
who gets impatient of waiting for me.
and goes TO another store to buy two
pairs.
.s77AKJNG things back'' is sometimes
justified. you know, however the
abuse of the custom be deplored. If Il
merchant deliver diseased chicken to
you, sells you silk with splits in it, or
calico with imprinted spots stale bread
for fresh, Il book bound upside down,
you do we'll to return it. The majority
of dealers base their regulations upon
good goods aud are very willing to
correct any matter of faulty merchandise
OF of orders misunderstood. Often boxed
aud canned groceries and some forms of
dry goods. are sent out by the local trade
in the original packages in which they
We're received from the wholesale or job
hing house, and any fault in them is not
discovered When you report any spoiled
goods to your retailer he will usually
square matters with you at once. and
then, either stand the loss himself, or
hold the manufacturer, in turn, RESPONSE
BILE to him for the damage.
The exceptional dealer it is true. may
purpoSely cheat you, in which case if you
have proof, you have redress in law
Moreover. you can easily relieve him of
your trade and that of your friends and
n few such experiences will quickly show
II cheater that whether he believe in hon
nsty for its own sake not ii is at
least the ..best policy"
An invalid busy housekeeper might
fnir Sly have ha no n ihaS
sent to her ION approval but she should
return them promptly and in good con
dition if they do not suit her
In all, the habit of making wel-consid
cred. permanent purchases should be
deemed Il reasonable courtesy To Il busy
clerk and an honest merchant hehind the