The Republican., 1920-11-18

The proof of parcel-post marketing
IS in the eating.
Many thousands of consumers have
tried out this method of purchasing
farm products for the table and are
eating their food with a relish born
of good food, favored with the sauce
of economy and service. After all,
the final test of this method of direct
marketing is the measure of satisfac-
tion 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 "Parcel Poster" Prospers.
And there is every reason why the
parcel-post business should increase.
Men and women are succeeding splen-
didly in building up businesses with
the mail service as their chief aid. OF
course, the producer can1Ot succeed
without an accessible market; he must
be sure that he has the kind and quail
&C &c, and bp
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 he
has specialized in marketing fruits,
berries, and vegetables by parcel post
to customers in small towns within
radius of 200 miles. His mailing list
now includes about 1000 names, and
his sales amount to about $1,000 an
nually.
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
ment 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
J,,4n in n SnnnlU his
trade But he has always taken par
ticular 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 a farmer whose
experience 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 a friend who was so pleased
with the results that he told his
neighbors of his good fortune.
Cheapness Not Essential.
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,
tn fhncn HpcirinO
low-priced goods. Rather, he has built
up his entire business on the basis
of high quality. He is just as particu-
lar in selecting customers as some Gus
toners are in selecting 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
tuckan never does. Instead, he
frankly tells his patrons that he is
out of the desired supplies and, un-
less otherwise instructed, he will fill
the order as soon as possible.
New EngIander Sells Eggs.
Up in little town in New Hamp-
shire is 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 guam
titles, thus bringing down the cost.
Particular care is taken in packing
zx-,.- aoJ a.. kxyfnor ho yoroaIc