Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-17

time. 'f'iF iIA .
ct is a demonstrated fact that the
problem is not in getting new busi-
ness on the books, but in getting it
off.)
One of the most vital problems
confronting the retail merchant of
today is the collection of overdue ac-
counts. For some unexplained rea-
son, people generally seem to consid-
er it their privilege to withhold in
definitely payment of store bills, al
though just how they gain the idea
that the financial resources of the
merchant are unlimited it is difficult
to imagine.
1t is safe to say, however, that the
fault of the system is due largely to
the dealer himself, who has encour-
aged, either directly or indirectly, just
this sort of thing. How very easy
| it is to smilingly continue to charge
one item after another without a
word as to settlement, but when the
account assumes abnormal conditions
and remittance is not Forthcoming,
what then?
Now, what causes a man, once
honest, to desert the straight and
narrow path? He becomes first a
procrastinator, then a side-stepper. A
little study of this phase of the ques-
tion may be of some assistance in
solving the collection problem, as it
relates to this particular class of
debtors. Such a change is usually
brought about by shortage Of funds.
Payment of the debtors obligations
becomes an inconvenience, a burden
He waits for a time when cash is
more plentiful, which often means an
exceedingly long wait.
Few merchants have gon,, .nto the
collection problem :.aeply enough to
discover the r,.--c effective means of
getting the money, although it must
be recognized as vitally important
! ching to be considered. For without
adequate working capital no business
can long exist. Of course, there is
an advantage in the thirty-day ac-
count, if the customer, can be made
to realize what it means to meet his
| 1r,1n,, I,,a 10,
how good a credit the merchant may
have established, business law be-
tween the wholesale and retail man
is "pay when due" The retail mer-
chant is protecting the customer. Is
the customer protecting the mer-
chant?
The customer that can withhold
payment on a grocery bill, or bill
for other merchandise which was
sold on a thirty-day basis, and take
a summers vacation or buy an au-
tomobile or something else, at the
Expense of the merchant, has either
a calloused conscience or no consci-
ence at all. This party is moral
risk, and not entitled to an extension
of credit, or any consideration from
the credit department.
1t would be a calamity to the cred
it department to, have everybody turn
honest at once, and have all accounts
paid in advance or promptly when
due. That a mans credit standing
is of inestimable value to him is a
well-established fact. The slow pay.
er either does not realize that in per.
mitting accounts to run long over.
due he is jeopardizing his credit O,
else he does not fully appreciate his
real worth of having a good stand.
ing with the business and profession
al men of his community.
| An allowance is made for the GUS
toner who makes an honest effort
to pay and fails in his effort, fate
having willed it otherwise. The pol.
icy that pays is to avoid making OBJ.
legations you cannot meet, and helr
cut down the high cost of living.
Paying cash has it's many advan.
tages. 1t is easier to give the other
fellow lift if you are not already
over-burdened carrying his load
Again, one will feel better, live bet
ter, live longer, buy, wear, eat, wor
lr,y 1acc ord bova rooro