Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-31
EvERYMAN'S CREDIT
BY LEWIS SINCLAIR GRIGSBY
Assistant Secretary Associated Retail
Credit Men Of Washington.
No. 3-Proper Use of the Account

No. 3--Proper Use of the Account.
The account is open, you have been
formally notified, and then what? Let
US make every effort to properly care
for this extension Of cred. First OF
all, when making a purchase give full
details to the salesperson. Do not say
merely Mrs. J. Smith" and then be-
come impatient when the office falls
to authorize the charge in the time
you expect. Do not say TAG d street
without proper geographical designa-
ton. And when the clerk asks iden-
LITIGATION Of purchaser, whether SELF,
wife or daughter, do not feel affronted.
as no dispersion is cast upon you per
sonally. The necessary detail must be
given on each purchase as matter
Of business routine. Assist the en-
poye of the store and watch for bet
ter service.
| If your husband has stated that he
will not be responsible for obligations
contracted by other than himself, or
, if, perchance, you have said the same
thing about him, do not expect the
store to hold the bag. You should en-
| pect delay and possibly reference to
the Office when trying to purchase on
an account that has been closed for
one or more good reasons.
Do not be indifferent about your ac-
count. See that payments are made
promptly or reasonable excuse for de-
linquency accepted by the store.
| Otherwise, you have no excuse if fur
Their credit is declined. Why should
! the store continue to extend credit, or
why should the bank grant you an.
other loan when satisfactory distribu-
ton has not been made of the existing
| obligation?
Do not allow others to use your
account without written order. This
particularly applies to young ladies in
= large offices, where there may be a
tendency for a girl friend to demon
strate a desire to purchase on your
account. Remember. if she does not
pay you or the store when the account
is due, your credit is jeopardized, not
hers. Always furnish written order,
giving explicit information to the one
who proposes to use your credit
The attitude of the credit grantor
| toward his charge customer is one of
exceptional generosity, but that is no
reason why you should expect to re-
turn merchandise after the same has
been worn or otherwise damaged. So
often we find person applies for a
charge account principally because it
| is found much easier to return articles
that were purchased on a whim and
when brought home considered useless
or expensive, He or she feels that be-
cause they are credit customers all
merchandise should be accepted with
out question or they will not pay for
the same Be fair with your mer.
chant. Fortunately, we do not find
this difficulty with the banker credi-
tor. Very few customers return cold
cash because it does not suit.
Make it a point to pay your account
when due. You had a thorough un-
Outstanding with the credit man rela-
tive to terms when the account was
opened. Do not plead ignorance so
or 80 days later. Budget your eX-
penses in order that you can make the
payment as promised and maintain
your credit standing. However, should
circumstances mitigate against prompt
payment, do the next best thing-call
in or write to the credit manager of
the firm OF the cashier Of the bank
Cite to him or her briefly the situa-
ton you find yourself in. not the har-
rowing details, just succinct facts that
will lucidly explain your delay. You
will find the credit executives more
than willing to meet you half way
We are all human and play little part
ofttlmes in controlling the destiny that
shapes our lives. 1t is simple enough,
the square and fair thing to do-just
notify your creditor that circum-
stances beyond your control have tenn.
porarily upset your plans. However,
by Indifference. and earelessness you
ignore the regular statements or no.
tees of due date, you deserve little or
no recognition, and your creditor may
rightfully expect payment of the full
balance due at once.
If you are in business, exert every
effort to make your discounts. Moth
ing advertises a firm more than the
simple statement that it discounts all
| bills. 1t costs the creditor a little
more, but the effect upon your credit
standing is remarkable. The average
| creditor Is only too glad to offer you
the discount IL you will but take ad-
| vantage of it. If you pay as much
| attention to meeting your obligations
in merchandising as you do to selling
| the goods, you are bound to succeed
1t is not often the individual is
given the opportunity of securing a
discount, but your reward is gained
by the increase in stability as re-
corded on the lodges of the business
house.
The proper use Of the account will
reflect greatly upon your credit stand
ing later on when the extension of
| credit may be dire necessity.