The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1915-03-25

the organization this would be I'M
possible. Each of the thirty buyers
who recently secured New York City
for merchandise had orders never to
sacrifice quality for cheapness. While
low prices rule in the stores, a two
dollar hat is always worth two dol
lars.
The Penney stores are located in
towns of from 1000 to 10000 popula-
ton and, widely scattered as they
are, there is a great variation in the
demands Of their separate field
This adds to tn edificulty of the buy
ing problem, but it has been worked
out satisfactorily. Twice a year the
thirty buyers go to New York
where a permanent Office is maintain
ed. They are divided into six COM
mittees with an experienced man at
the head Of each.
The trips of the Golden Rule buy
ers TO- the metropolis are no pleasure
jaunts. The committees start work
at eight in the morning and spend
the entire day visiting the trade.
They return in time for dinner which
precedes a meeting at 1880. There
the results of the days work are
discussed and plans made for tbs. next
invasion Of the wholesale district.
Naturally, every member Of each
committee is not an experienced buy
er in all lines, but under this system,
the younger men learn quickly from
those who have been in the game for
years. Given a few trips to. New
York and they soon master the lines
which they are to handle. The buyers
committees work like a training
school,, where practical laboratory
work is taught, and the daily meet
ings correspond to lectures and reci-
tations. A graduate product of this
school knows exactly what the Golden
Rule customers want and just how to
buy it.
In how many great department
stodes are buyers given such system
attic training.
The Golden Rule patronage is
drawn AID held by such buying
methods. The people get the best
for their money, and they show their
appreciation by sticking" Prices
are low enough to tempt the most
frugal class of trade. The margin Of
profit is so small that it sometimes
seems dangerously near the line OF
loss. Nevertheless, there never is q
loss.
Mr.. Penney and his lieutenants
realize the soundness of the principle
that you cannot cut prices without
cutting out something else. So, early
in the game, they set about to get rlc
of the excess that weighs down sc
low-priced stores. In the first place
there are no charge accounts. In ev'
cry store the cash counted up at the
end of the day represents the tota
sales. No credit is given and none is
asked. The Golden Rule Stores buy
for cash and sell for cash. The buy.
ers get rock bottom prices because the
wholesale people know that every or
! der is followed by a quick payment.
After eliminating credit Mr.. Penne!
cut out delivery. If g. man buys {
double bed or dining room Jobie
it stays right there in the store unit
he carts it away. In a big city de.
livery system is necessary, but the
Golden Rule chain does not enter the
big cities.
Elaborate displays are another non
essential that has been eliminated
The Golden Rule Stores are very plair
affairs. They boast>no window trims
and they give no cabaret shows, bu'
they keep their stock up to date, turn
ing it as often as six times a year,
The net result of this system o:
elimination are: No complicated cler
ical work. no need of large loans tt