The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1921-03-25
FARMERS OPINIONS
ASKED'AND RECEIVED
Letters Read at Kiwanis Club Starts
j q Wind That May Blow Some Good
to the Community Writers Hit
Bulls Eye,

previously sent OUT a letIeT III qucS-
tionnaire form to about one hundred
farmers living within driving distance
from Medina. Strict confidence was
maintained with the farmers as we'll
as the merchants, all names being
withheld by the committee.
In the letter mentioned the fact was
emphasized that Kiwanis ideals are
beyond the selfish, unreasoning, hard
shelled business man, and that the
club stands for bigger and better
community inlwhich to live.
The Kiwanis club was highly graft
fled at the large number of replies
and the fact that while they were
evidently straight from the. shoulder,
yet they were evidently written with
. the purpose Of making suggestions
which would be for the best interest
Of both town and surrounding CONF
munity.
The opinion seemed to be quite gen
eral that Medina is poor market for
country produce with the exception Of
wheat. That it requires only>a small
amount ITO flood the market and that
the margin between the price paid for
such produce and the price at which
1t is rctailed Is too large.
One case was referred to where a
barrel Of vinegar was sold to a gro
Ger for l7c and rctailed at 35c a gallon.
Attention was called to the fact that
even tho the margin of profit taken
by the merchant and received by the
farmer was the same, the farmer
turns his money once a year, while
the merchant turns his maty times
during the same year. Y n ssse1s
- Another custom which brought out
frank criticism was that of giving
those who have their purchases deliv-
1 cred several times daily and who spay
their bills once week or month, a
cigar or bag Of candy, when they set
tie, while those who pay cash and car
s7ry their own purchases home ase
charged the same price and receive lfIo
rebate or present. "
Some Of the writers felt that more
considerate policy toward customers
who wish to return purchases which
for some reason have proven unsatis-
t factory, would be appreciated. While
it sometimes has opened the way to
abuses, yet the policy Of some very
successful large firms to assume the
attitude that the customer is always
right has been large factor, in pro-
noting good will, which Is fundameri-
tai in building up and holding trade
A merchant who takes back pur-
chase cheerfully and refunds the price
as tho he enjoyed it will hold his pa
irons. If he takes back the article
unwiilingly, the customerSleaves the
, store ready to knock whenever he has
an opportunity. One knocker car
do more damage than dozen custom.
ers can repair. ,j%s
The universal courtesy and atten
tion shown all patrons by the clerks
in large Cleveland store was giver
as an example of the treatment which
pays the firm big dividends in goot
will and cash as we'll.
The plan, to have bargain day ono,
each month seemed to meet with pret
ty general approval, provided the bar
gains are exactly as represented ant
a standard grade of goods. No on,
y seemed to be interested in the idea, i
it meant cleaning up the shelves O
shop-worn goods, or trash, nor, as on,
y writer said, they did not, care to b,
skinned" during the remaining day
of the month to reimburse the n1er
chant on his loss on bargain day.
real honest-to-goodness bargain da,
would draw large crowd of buyer
to town. aI,--
Opinions were divided on the valu
of a sales pavilion. Some towns wer
mentioned~where the plan had bee
tried successfully for a number O
years. The majority were in favo
. of giving it trial.
Buying of mail order houses ha
strong champions on both side.
There were some regular buyers VIII
were satisfied, and others who neve
patronized them, or had tried ther
and quit because theytweres not we
pleased One fact was brought OF
very plainly, namely, that the good
had to be just as represented, or the
could be returned at the. sellers es
pense. and the money refunded.
the words of one writer, ..the. none
WCuiu DC ICluliuCu IL tuc SOOQS Wei
returned for one reason, or no rea.
on" frequently, however, in sue
cases the amount saved was not con
mensurate with the trouble involve,
This has been one Of the big factor
contributing to the popularity of III
mail order houses. Alocal merchai
who would conduct his business 3
the same basis would be rewarded B
I the same popularity. The majority
the Writers preferred to spend the
money with local merchants whel
they could see what they are buyin
provided the price for the privilef
and the accompanying service WI
reasonable. \, IN as IA A
There was only one answer to II
n question Of the comfort station. Mar
M seemed to think it would add to Il
@ popularity OF tilc town as JradiI
center, for women and tiIildrl
especially, than any other one thin