New-York tribune., 1919-05-11

permanently. Some dealers are won.
dering whether to enlarge, reduce OF
entirely cut off credit and delivery
others whether to abandon their
cash-and-carry plan. The trade
press is seething with valuable but
contradictory advice.
The Public
And Delivery
Marshall Field & Co., owners of
the great Chicago department store,
stated their opinion to the writer
thus:
eve believe the country will 20
back to schedule of two deliveries
a day, but that, because Of the edu-
cational effect of war economies. it
will not revert to three deliveries
daily.
"When we reduced deliveries from
three to two and then to one a day
our own judgment was that the SER
vice called for and needed by the
public, as well as the best interest
of our business, meant at least two
daily deliveries in the more populous
sections of the city. But men were
needed for military service, and we
cooperated. in the labor economies
urged. The situation is now re-
versed. Returned soldiers are seek
ing work. People are becoming
little restive under the one-a-day
schedule. There is a strong move
ment developing throughout the
country toward two daily deliveries"
Marshall Field & Co. found that
reducing deliveries from three to
one did not reduce costs in anything
like the same ratio. Out of 1856 ma
chimes and $50 persons involved by
the change only so machines and 13O
persons were saved.
The Adam, Meldrum & Anderson
Company, Buffalo drygoods mer-
chants, said:-
cit is our opinion that the one de-
livery day can and should be main
tained. During the year 1918 the
number of packages delivered daily
was one-third less than it was
during the year 1917. We would
regret very much having to return
to several deliveries day, with all
the extra special deliveries"
Oppenheim, Collins G. Co., of New
York City, explain:
We see no reason why we should
change to two deliveries a day. as
apparently we are giving our GUS
toners satisfaction, and certainly
find this method more economical to
ourselves"
The problem presents most COM
plexity for sellers of perishable COM
modities and nationally advertised
goods. Grocers furnish the best ex-
ample.
Against credit and delivery it is
urged that:
l. They add more than 3 per cent to
the price &C the goods.
2. They the customer who pavs
cash and carries his purchase for
credit and delivery furnished to some
,ne else.
8. They make the so-calIed indenen-
lent less able to meet chain store
prices.
A. They make the dealer practically
his customers banker, and by reduc-
ng his fluid cash lower his capabilitv
o take wholesale discounts. This also
dds to the retail price.
5. They waste labor, labor-tsme and
'ften customers time.
e. Credit makes good customers nav
'ad customers debts.
T. If dealer sells commodities that
an be consumed-food. coal, ice. bot
led goods, etc.-his cuSlomer-debtors
at up his collateral.
In behalf of the charge deliver
ystem it is urged that:
l. A credit customer gives one dealer
IL his trade in the dealers field. while
cash customer, shopping around. is
obody's customer.
z. Orders to be charged and de-
vered can be filled in slack periods
made over the telephone they save
till more clerk time.
3. Articles to be delivered do not
ave to be wrapped separately, but can ,
g heaped into delivery box.
4. Credit enlarges the volume of
usiness and thereby makes cheaper .
rices.
D. uehvery makes possible larger or
ers than the customer could carry
way personally.
b. Delivery has aspects of real
If 1t be cut off more helm s
us1 be used inside. This labor is l
ore expensive than that eliminated. |
From a study of figures gathered |
y the Council of National Defenca