Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-09-21
JUNK WRIST WATCHES
hucksfers mukinq
Suckers Out OF
Columbus Folks
JUNK WRIST WATCHES
By AL HARRISON

Transient hucksters are still making suckers out
OF columbus County resident who can't resist bar
gain
This years bargains" are in wrist watches .
The going price depends on the customers If the
huckster can squeeze hard enough he'll get the limit
Fifty dollars is the highest price that been quoted
by those who learned the hard way that you don't
always get what you pay for when you put confidence
in the with a suitcase.
AT best, most watches sold to local people by the
transient hucksters aren't worth more than three dol
lars.
In checking the difference it was pointed out by
Lloyd Hipps and Billy Dorman operators of local
Jewery stores that most of the watches assemb
out of the question.
Peddlers are prone to follow the markets. They
are at their peak during tobacco in this area
1t isn't uncommon to see a salesman with array
of watches displayed from wrist to elbow. By merely
rolling up his sleeves he gives prospective customers
a chance to see his entire stock of bargains.
Watch statesmen monopoZing the trade this
season but there others who deal in a variety of
inferior merchandise.
"One family here bought crystal from travelling
salesman They paid more than the regular price and
found themselves with crystal that had been classified
rejects said Hips.
father of two young sons learned the hard way.
His boys had bought watches from Suitcase" mer
chant Each paid SIS for his watch. One gave
about 30 minutes service and quit The enraged father
was still looking for the salesman at press time today
But it has 81 jewels is the favorite for
those who try their luck and get stung
Hpps and Dorman both qualified watchmakers
who operate their businesses here, laugh at the
Jewel" count.
ut could have SO jewels and still be worthless.
The jewels must be in the correct places before they
of any value in determining the efficiency of the
WATCH they remarked
AS for the Jewels and cost - you purchase
II jewel wrist watch in practically any jewelry
store for less than $50. When purchasing from
legitimate dealer the customer has place to lodge
complaints if the merchandise should render poor
service. Those who buy from the travelling salesman
ordinarily him again.
The chief complaint of merchants against transient
hucksters is not much that they deprived of
sales. They feel that residents cheated with in
feror merchandise. Too the transient pay5~or y
slight license fCi without having to pay taxes for the
privilege of operating his business.
Merchants have their hands tied in such cases
Few ever lodge complaints
Mayor II. G.. Cameron said Il don't like to see
yearround merchants deprived of business and the
transient statesmen hurt them until the buyers realize
they have been gyped. Then they return to dealing
with reputable firms
Some towns have system whereby transient
dealers must clear with the Merchants Association
before being granted permission to peddle merchan-
disc.
This protects the residents of the community from
being victmized by INSCRIPTIONS pedders.
Protection against watch peddlerS was offered this
week by both local jewelers..
IF anyone finds that he wants to buy from
transient salesman, will inspect the watch without
charge and advise whether not the watch has STAN
dard movements" said Dorman and Hpps.
It's public service feature being initiated by the
local men in effort to curb unhealthy situation
that grows greater each year.