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Show THE PROBLEMS OF RETAIL TRADE This Is tho first of a series of editorials edi-torials on tho nbovo Bubjcct. H Is hoped that It will mako some useful suggestions, both to tho public and to tho merchants. This Is n period when many people buy for appearances, rather than for durable values. If nn nrtlclo looks attractive, many peoplo will buy It. oven If their own Judgment and tho sloro pooplo warn them It will not glvo durahlo wear. As durablo goods, aro often not stylish, and ns stylish goods are often not durable, tho merchant Is a good dual puzzled ns to which quality tho public really values tho moro highly. Thoro aro probably not so many good Judges of tho value of fabrics as In former years. Tho old tlmora, oven In making a small purchato, scrutinized It very carefully and deliberated de-liberated thoughtfully, often nsked advice of neighbors and trends. To-day To-day tho thought that used to go Into tho matter of wear Is dovotcd to tho question of stylo or At, Modern sclonco has dovolopod many methods of making cheap goods appear ap-pear attractive Ono morchant said recently that though ho had been in business 20 yonrs ho was frequently unablo to detect tho presenco of poor material, so clovcrly Is It concealed. So he had to ask tho salosracn what tho goods wero inado of, and had to depend on their honesty, as evidenced evidenc-ed by past dealings nnd tho record of tho housos thoy represont. If nn ox-pcrlonccd ox-pcrlonccd dealer Is thus sometimes dccolvcd by clover Imitations, tho gnnoral public Is oven less ablo to buy on Its own Judgment alone. So tho public depends moro than over on tho honesty of tho men with whom It Is dealing. Hero comes in tho advantago of dealing with tho merchants near ono's homo. Thoy I can't afford to soil goods that aro not as represented. A sale made undor n misunderstanding or falso impression impres-sion Is loft handed advertising of tho worst kind. Tho success of tho homo merchant Is dependent upon selling goods for Just what thoy nro. |