New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-29
NEWS OF THE WEEK AMONG WOMEN
SHOPS AND THINGS

them to do what they~had been accus-
toned to pay others to do for then.
The first venture was a self-servc
grocery. Rows on rows of sugar bags
butter tubs and package goods were
/ placed on tables in large storcroon.
Everything was plainly marked as to
quality, condition and price, 80 that
with a basket on ones arm one had
only to march through the store
| which boasts Of not one single clerk
and pick up the things wanted, select
/ ing here, rejecting there, until the
mornings marketing was done The
basket Of goods was examined by the
cashier at the turnstile near the exit,
where packages could be wrapped.
When business grew here to the
point where as many as 1000 purchases
we're made in one day it was decided 10
open a bargain basement on the same
principle. Now one can buy shoes,
hats, calico by the yard, readymade
clothing, anything in general lines Of
merchandise in just the same way.
Piece goods are cut into ordinary
lengths, such as five, seven and ten
yards Garments are hung on racks,
plainly marked with the price, size and
quality Of material
If the habit of gregariousness is too
, strong, one may summon a woman su-
pervisor, who is a variation of the
floor walker and who is on the floor to
direct customers, but not to sell. And
if tour Of inspection reveals nothing
which is wanted the turnstiles will
click behind you without comment
1t has been proved to the satisfac-
ton of the managers Of this store that
the self-serve departments are patron
lied by the prosperous classes Of pa
irons as much as by the poorer ones.
Intelligent buying appeals TO the auto
mobile owner as we'll as to the street
car user, so with the chauffeur carry
ing her basket more than one wealthy
woman wends her way daily through
the self-serve and does her shopping
with care.
In two months this unique store viii
have been in existence for an entire
year, and SO successfully that its origi-
majors have been asked to hold con-
vention in New York for the purpose
of spreading the gospel Of self service
TO other stores throughout the country
TIME Red Cross Shop, at SGT Fifth
4 Avenue, did not set out with the
intention Of becoming an Oracle Of
Things Second hand. But since il
opened its doors some three weeks
ago there have poured into it from
kindly donors SO many things Of so
many different kinds and in such a
variety Of conditions that technique
Of appraisal is rapidly becoming one
OF the chief assets of the women in
charge there.
Take the case of the peacock blue
evening gown, for example, which
came III one day from the Fifth Ave
nue. home OF It's owner, who is said to
be one of the est-dressed women III
New orls. Made OF ahimmering vel
vet, with a bodice of embroidered
cloth, it bore the trademark of one of
the exclusive designers of the city.
Now what was it worth
It was the duty Of Mrs. Bayard Dom
inic, jr., chief appraiser for the gar
ment department, to decide that, and it
took her about three minutes to do it.
"Afark it $25," she said, and at once
it was so tagged and hung on the rack.
A few minutes later modestly
dressed woman came into the gown
shop locking for an evening dress.
Il want something smart she said,
"and something which isn't too OK
pensiVe. I rather like that blue one
twenty-five dollars, please" Mrs.
Dominic asked, akilfully turning to the
light the name of the maker, and in
an instant the customer had produced
check book and paid for the gown,
which she carried out of the shop with
her, as if fearing that her bargain
might have been a mistake
Really, that gown was bargain
as most things are at the Red Cross
Shop, but the customers eye, occupied
with the label, had perhaps failed
see some of the things which the
keener eye of the appraiser had no.
ticed when marking it.
we must not only look at thing
twice when appraising, but We must
remember that we have various sorts
of customers,' Mrs Dominic explained
The principal thing in deciding value
Is material; that is, if one intends to
have the gown made over. But there
arc some women who prefer a gown
with style, so that must be considered
too, and that is where the name Of tho
maker comes in. Many women will give
good deal for gown if it is onlv
from well-known- couturiere.
when we first take down the boxes
in which the things come thew lool,
wonderful, bat afterwards the defects
are apparent. From lining to draperv
garments must be scanned, but en- if
they are inferior in some respects. we
price them invariably lower than even
the secondhand shops"
Part of the reason for this is to en-
..1..Ls