New Britain herald., 1915-06-17
PROBERS HOLD UP
 MIRROR 0N CITY
Tell Merchants Why People Do
 Not Trade in New Britain

} Reasons why New Britain people do not trade in New Britain were fur nished at a dinner of the mercantile bureau of the Chamber of Commerce at the Hotel Beloin last evening by 8 com n1ittee which has been studying the problem The committee consisted of George H. Dyson, chairman; George l.. Damon and F. J. Porter. Chairman William H. Crowell called on Chairman Dyson for the report and 1t was given as follows:
 Why Trade Out of Town.
 Several months ago, a committee was appointed for the purpose of studying trade conditions and develop ment in New Britain. A letter was sent to number of men and wome en- residents of New Britain, whose every interest should be favorable to New Britain. This letter called attention to the complaint in regard to out of town buying, and asked for the opin- ion of the recipient as to why, in their opinion, some people trade outside of New Britain. We have replies sep resenting about twenty-five or thirty women and a like number of men.
 A very few opinions in the list were given only once, but most of them sev- eral times, and some by many of those replying. The following is a list:
 Poor selection of merchandise, high prices for same quality, many dupli- cates in dresses suits, coats, etc.: few distinctive articles, no extra sizes for large children, no desire to accept special orders and great delay in fill- ing them, attempt to substitute goods for those desired, charge accounts in Hartford with mail order privileges, not quantity enough of any one thing, not able to match colors in laces, cheap trimmings. threads, etc.; the often received reply, All out, but will haxe some in few days; many ar ticles regularly called for, obtainable in much smaller communities, are not carried at all; poor window display, poor advertising, milliners refuse to
 make over material bought elsewhere by new customers, first-class mater ials, silks, underwear, etc., not in stock; go to Hartford to get what could not be secured here and buy other material possible to obtain here at the same time, not agreeable to exchange, families of merchants known to trade out of town for goods in all other lines than their own, many salespeople incompetent many salespeople not courteous. Social feature of trip out of town, lack of public spirit hardware and tools 1920 per cent. higher in New Britain, meats and fruits and foodstuffs quality not as good, prices higher, passive accept ance on the part of the merchants of the apparel fact that a large city is near and that people will trade there, statements that the goods want cd are out of date, statements that the goods wanted are not manufactured. lack of confidence in the Judgment of the salesforce, lack of team work among the merchants.
 Without question, there are many stores where many of the reasons giv- en in the list do not apply, but where they do ~not. the burden of the proof is upon the merchant, and not the customer. It is up to the merchant to advertise in whatever manner he
 
 consumers of, New Britain will know the conditions in regard to his store. and it is, of course, necessary for him to back up his advertising by facts. Conclusion of Investigators.
 Tt must also be admitted that the purchaser has the privilege of spend | ing his money where he sees fit, where he believes he can get the most for 1t. We believe also. that the follow ing conclusions will be agreed to:
 i That no reason exists why prices in l New Britain should be higher for l ordinary standard grades of merchan- l disc than in any other retail center That there is no reason why our l stores in New Britain cannot give l equal service with those in any other city In the matter of clerks knowing