Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1920-09-15

farm products for the table and are
eating their food with relish born
iof good food, favored with the sauce
of economy and service. After oil,
the final test of this method of direct
marketing Is the measure of satisfac-
stion secured by buyer and seller. In
stances of successful parcel-post sell
,ers, North, South, East and West,
which have come to the attention OF
the bureau Of markets, United States
department of agriculture, prove quite
as much as pages of theory and dis
cussion the immense practical value of
this method of buying and selling.
While the extent to which the people
of this country are marketing produce
through the parcel post is not definite
ly known, there is every indication
that the volume of business is In
creasing steadily.
A "ParceI Poster" Prospers.
And there is every reason why the
parcel-post business should increase.
Men and women are succeeding splen-
tdidly in building up businesses with
the mail service as their chief aid. OF
course, the producer cannot succeed
without an accessible market; he must
he sure that he has the kind and quail
iity of produce that is wanted; and ne
must learn the art Of conducting his
business, writing his letters, etc., in
such a way as to give satisfaction.
THAT is what a fruit grower in Oregon
has done. For three or four years ne
has specialized in marketing fruits,
berries, and vegetables by parcel post
to customers in small towns within a
radius of 200 miles. His mailing list
now includes about 1000 names, and
his sales amount to about $1,000 an
snually.
BY supplying products Of extra quail
ity which are carefully Grated,
packed, and shipped, this man has Sc
cured additional business through the
recommendations which original pa
irons have supplied. Many Of his
customers he has never seen, but they
trust him because he guarantees sat
:isfaction. When an occasional ship
iment proves unsatisfactory it is re-
placed free of charge and no questions
are asked. His business has grown so
that recently he has bought fruit from
other producers in order to supply his
trade. But he has always taken par
iticular care to ship only high quality
fruit, so that his high standard Will be
maintained. He realizes that unless
he does this he will soon lose his pa
irons confidence and voluntary COM
mendation-his best business asset.
Down in Kentucky is farmer whose
ieyperience furnishes similar proof OF
the value of the parcel post in direct
marketing. This man sells dressed
poultry, eggs, meats and fruits TO
customers in Nashville, Tenn. The
business was started two years ago by
selling to friend who was so pleased
with the results that he told his
lneighbors of his good fortune.
Other things being equal, purchasers
expect to save something over esti-
mated retail prices by dealing direct
with the producers. 1t does not al
ways follow that the prices of parcel
most goods must be below the market.
levels. This Kentuckian, for example,
roc novar catared to those desiring
ilow-priced goodsA Rather, he has built
.iup his entire business on the basis
of high quality. He is just as partlcu-
lar in selecting customers as some GUS
toners are in selecting a producer
from whom to obtain farm products.
He retains his customers by never
breaking his rule, which is "Sell only
the best" Many producers would oc-
casionally be tempted to sell second
grade produce when the orders exceed
ed their supply of first grade produce.
This is something which the Ken
tuckian never does. Instead, he
frankly tells his patrons that he is
out of the desired supplies and. un-
less otherwise instructed, ne VIII III
the order as soon as possible.
New Engander Sells Eggs.
Up in a little town in New Hamp-
shire is a retired business man who
has built up a good trade in marketing
eggs direct to customers. The business
was started because of the unsatisfac-
tory prices at certain city markets.
After some unsatisfactory experience
in shipping with containers of vari-
Gus kinds, he finally evolved one
of his own planning, which is proving
very satisfactory. These are now
manufactured for him in large quan-
titles, thus bringing down the cost.
Particular care is taken in packing
the eggs and in tying the parcels AS