The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-04-30
CAN MAIL ORDER HOUSES
SELL DEPENDABLE MER-
CHADISE CHEAPER THAN
THE HOME MERCHAATS7
BY o. A. CHARLES.

In order to intelligently discuss the
question as to whether or not mail
order houses can sell dependable mer-
chandise cheaper than home mer.
chants we must first see whers the
mail order house gets the goods they
offer for sale.
In reading the catalogues Of the
principal mail order houses we find
that these houses claim they manu-.
facture a large percentage of the
goods they sell. Now, then, to be
able to sell these goods so much
cheaper than the home merchant 1t
would be necessarysfor the mail order
house to manufacture these goods
chaper than the manufacturer who
produces merchandise for the home
merchant.
Is 1t reasonable to suppose that the
factories owned and controlled by the
mail order houses are any more pro-
ficient In the making of merchandise
than are the Independent factories Of
the country? Isn't 1t true, rather, that
manufacturing concern which Is
managed by the men directly and
financially interested in the success
Of the factory will have better man.
agement than the factory that is man.
aged by an overseer or foreman, who
Is not In any way financially interest
ed, but who is working merely for sal.
ary? Isn't the man with his capital
as well as his salary, depending on
the success Of his facory, keener and
more industrious in producing the
product that he Is manufacturing than
a man who is merely foreman of
factory?
The economic history OF our coun-
try proves that the concerns making
the best goods at the most reasonable
prices are the Independent or indi-
vidual manufacturers. The reason for
this is that the man who has risked
his capital as well as his time and
labor is more vitally interested, con-
sequently works harder and thinks
harder to make his project success.
Another phase of manufacturing
goods which enters into this argument
Is this the mail order house is forced
to produce merchandise to sell at a
low price. The Independent or indi.
vidual manufacturer makes goods not
to sell for certain price, but to pro.
duce certain results. Then isn't II a
fact that the concern manufacturing
goods to sell at low price Is going
to use the cheapest material, the
cheapest labor, and to turn out the
cheapest product in order to be able
to sell the goods at the low price? d,
On the other hand, isn't It equally
true that the manufacturing concern
making goods that must produce cer-
tain results is going to use the best
material and the most skilled labor
to make merchandise that will pro-
cuce the required results, knowins
that II they can not do this they can
not get fair price for their product?
In other words, the mail order houses
have to manufacture goods to sell at
a very low price-really made to sell,
while the goods sold by the home
are manufactured to give
service.
Now in order to sell merchandise
so much cheaper than local mer-
chants, the mail order house must
buy cheaper as wen as manufacture
first grade goods just as cheaply as
can the mail order houses, but manu-
lecturers all make different grades OF
goods.
1t Is impossible not to make mis-.
takes In construction. Manufacturers
can not afford to throw away the i'm
perfect work nor can they destroy an
article that may have been acciden.
tally marred In the making, but con-
houses are honest In these
The progress Of construc-
Ion is watched with care. each imper.
Of material or workmanship is
carefully noticed; the result Is differ
snt grades OF goods-firsts, seconds
md thirds.
When the local merchant buys. he
Knows HIS goods must be sold before
he eyes and in the presence of the
purchaser. That every article and
very part of II must be subject TO
'arful personal inspection; not only |
his, but 1t goes to a regular custom
n who resides In the immediate VI
Unity OF the merchant, and the goods
must stand the test OF actual use.
rhe home merchant whose business
depends on pleasing his customers
lare not buy any but the first grade
Il goods for which he. of course, must
'ay the price Of first-grade goods.
Much different is It with the cata-
osus house. Because they sell their
aerchandise by printed pictures and
Il acr ri nffoua ana tha .~..L .kt.r- -