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Editorial
June 26, 1925
The Independent
Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Editorial estimates $82,000 of $116,000 in annual money orders from Elizabeth City post office goes to mail order houses for merchandise available locally. Urges merchants to advertise and offer superior service like catalogs and returns to compete and keep money in town.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
OUR MAIL ORDER BUSINESS
OF an annual business of some $116,000 in money orders bought thru the Elizabeth City postoffice, more than $82,000 goes to mail order houses for merchandise, much of which could be bought in Elizabeth City, according to an estimate made this week by R. C. Job, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Merchants Association.
Only a few days ago, while Pryor Irwin was telling Elizabeth City merchants that the only way they can get business is by advertising to let the people know what they can get in Elizabeth City, the writer standing on a prominent Main Street corner, heard one merchant who counts himself a leader, say to another merchant:
"Do you know, there is more money sent out of this town to mail order houses, than is spent with the merchants of Elizabeth City?"
That man didn't stop to think that any of the mail order houses, that do business, with people who might trade in Elizabeth City, will do the following things:
Send their illustrated catalog, with full descriptions of every article they have to sell, to any man, woman, or child who may send a postal card for it.
Take back any article of merchandise, that does not meet the approval of the customer, and refund every cent paid, including postal charges both ways.
These two features combine advertising, and service that back up the advertising to the final degree.
The same merchant who criticised the people for sending out of town for things, had never spent $50 a year in telling his home people what he had to sell, or explaining to them just how much service he was willing to give them. His advertisement had not been seen in this newspaper in fact, where he might have reached more than 20,000 readers who should buy in Elizabeth City.
There are several business men in Elizabeth City, who carry good merchandise and give good service: they do not hesitate to tell the public what they have, and they do not fail to make good with service. More of this kind of thing and only this, will cut down the money order business and keep some of the $82,000 at home. --D. V. M.
OF an annual business of some $116,000 in money orders bought thru the Elizabeth City postoffice, more than $82,000 goes to mail order houses for merchandise, much of which could be bought in Elizabeth City, according to an estimate made this week by R. C. Job, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Merchants Association.
Only a few days ago, while Pryor Irwin was telling Elizabeth City merchants that the only way they can get business is by advertising to let the people know what they can get in Elizabeth City, the writer standing on a prominent Main Street corner, heard one merchant who counts himself a leader, say to another merchant:
"Do you know, there is more money sent out of this town to mail order houses, than is spent with the merchants of Elizabeth City?"
That man didn't stop to think that any of the mail order houses, that do business, with people who might trade in Elizabeth City, will do the following things:
Send their illustrated catalog, with full descriptions of every article they have to sell, to any man, woman, or child who may send a postal card for it.
Take back any article of merchandise, that does not meet the approval of the customer, and refund every cent paid, including postal charges both ways.
These two features combine advertising, and service that back up the advertising to the final degree.
The same merchant who criticised the people for sending out of town for things, had never spent $50 a year in telling his home people what he had to sell, or explaining to them just how much service he was willing to give them. His advertisement had not been seen in this newspaper in fact, where he might have reached more than 20,000 readers who should buy in Elizabeth City.
There are several business men in Elizabeth City, who carry good merchandise and give good service: they do not hesitate to tell the public what they have, and they do not fail to make good with service. More of this kind of thing and only this, will cut down the money order business and keep some of the $82,000 at home. --D. V. M.
What sub-type of article is it?
Trade Or Commerce
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Mail Order Business
Local Economy
Elizabeth City
Merchants Advertising
Retail Service
Money Orders
What entities or persons were involved?
R. C. Job
Pryor Irwin
Chamber Of Commerce
Retail Merchants Association
Elizabeth City Merchants
Mail Order Houses
D. V. M.
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Mail Order Business Draining Local Economy In Elizabeth City
Stance / Tone
Advocating Local Advertising And Service To Retain Business
Key Figures
R. C. Job
Pryor Irwin
Chamber Of Commerce
Retail Merchants Association
Elizabeth City Merchants
Mail Order Houses
D. V. M.
Key Arguments
Over $82,000 Annually Sent To Mail Order Houses For Local Merchandise
Mail Order Houses Provide Illustrated Catalogs On Request
Mail Order Houses Offer Full Refunds Including Postage For Unsatisfactory Goods
Local Merchants Must Advertise To Inform Public Of Offerings
Local Merchants Should Provide Comparable Service To Compete
Some Local Merchants Succeed By Advertising And Servicing Well