SHOPPING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21708, 15 February 1936, Page 2

SHOPPING

ESSENTIALS and nonessentials

(SPECIAL!* WBITTEK TOB THE PBBS8.) It is always a thrill to have some money to spend. The trouble is there is so seldom enough. " The lament, I Sort afford it,” so often on-people’s i; n c tells its own tale. By the time we can. very often the felons have changed, and our needs with them. Of bourse, in the meantime, one has to have something to go on witlv and fnr aafetv’s sake, must be able to distinguish between essentials and nonSsentials.andto retain a certain sfflse of nrooortion. There is no need, however, to be too rigid in apportioning the expenses. Once m a while, if there is any margm, it is good to be judiciously reckless, even if economies have to follow after. ■ In most wen-managed homes woman has the honour and privilege of spending the greater part of the income, very oftenwithout If she approaches the ihatter of finop ping with an alert and invested mmd, it can become an absorbing There is no greater,satisfaction than to know one is getting at least jood value and paying one’s way. K a falls capacity she soon becomes the ! lesser instead of tnA better half. We will suppose and hope St she justifies the confidence , reposed in her, and takes a rear pleasuse in equipping the household.and supplying the family needs. Naturally, much depends on the size of the Income, and whether it. is received .as a weekly wage, a monthly, cheque, or in occasional payments. . These latter present real difficulty in calculated bt For Successful shopping a few points to be borne, in mind. . It is welT to know just what is wanted, where to get a good standard make, at a reasonable price, and the quantity required. It is fatal to be vague. In business transactions, nothing is given away, and whatever .the mode of payment, the account has to be met sooner or later. Credit or Cash There are many advantages in having a good credit account with a good firm. The chief is. perhaps; immediate possession with payment at a later date. It is thus often possible to buy profitably for future use, and if the date on which the books are closed for the month is known, the shopping can be adjusted to the" monthly statement. In the event of an unsatisfactory purchase, a good house will nearly always oblige with an exchange, or be willing to give credit . if the article is returned promptly. This extends to the approval trade, a privilege bv which one has more time and opportunity to consider. The favour of negotiating nonnegotiable cheques is an act of grace extended to known clients. It is fatally easy to buy on credit, and One sometimes receives a bad shock to discover how small purchases have swelled the total. . When cash is paid for everything, there are no privileges and no obligations: but, one can go anywhere and buy in the cheapest market. It is an accepted fact that there may be differences in the price of the same or very similar articels in separate shops. Some houses specialise in certain lines, in which, perhaps, a greater variety at a greater range of price is offered. Knowing this, the cash buyer is free to patronise these establishments. There is a great satisfaction in paying as you go, and for small purchases it is much the best. The cash on delivery system saves a certain amount of time, and is useful shopping from a distance, either by telephone or letter. One has to be precise in ordering and be on hjmd to take delivery, nay the account, and get the receipt. That is the end of the transaction. Time payment or the instalment plan is In a separate class, and has as many lures as pitfalls. It seems to me that this method can only be a safe and happy means whep the purchaser is sure of a certain income, and a certaip surplus to provide for emergencies. A little ingenuity hnd patience might sometimes help to tide over the supposed urgent need until sufficient funds lor a substantial deposit accumulate. ' .. In the actual shopping transaction the human relatiorts count. It is my experience that- most shop asistants are courteous and anxious to please. The good ones know their stock, and introduce customers, sometimes with advantage, to new lines, and while eager to make a sale, their first object is to produce what is wanted. It is therefore very important to have a definite idea of one’s need in the first R late. ! Should there be an opportuny, it is always good policy to study the displays beforehand, or to get patterns, which, by the way, should usually be returned. An assistant cannot be expected to know the exact purpose to be fulfilled in every case, or now things will look in the light of day in one’s own home. Nowadays, when so much merchandise is displayed and clearly priced, selection is comparatively easy., It is bewildering to be shown a wide choice, yet some people delight in having everythin* fetched off the.shelves, and then wonder why they are dazed. Unwise Buying Quality and price should be considered in relation to the possible use and length of service. The possession of something good is always a pride and satisfaction. For such a thing a fair price must be paid. Herein lies the advantage of purchasing regular stock during sale periods, when it is possible to buy a first quality at the usual price of a second grade. A bargain once in a while Is a real excitement, and people are human. There is seldom anything cheap m ordinary cheapness. On the other hand it is sometimes wise to buy a cheaper article for immediate and brief Use. One does not want to be sur* rounded with things which will last for ever, and it is always a thrill to get something new. Remnants and short lengths of material are often great bargains for nimble wits and fingers, 'lt is a great help to know the lengths required for possible purposes. Very occasionally the nieces are too short to serve any ready purpose, and can become like money lying dead. Not even the cleverest nerson can get a blouse out of a yard = 6f the prettiest stuff. I have tried, and I know. Again, it is a great temptation to get three yards for the price of two. A woman needs to be very strong-minded when she goes to a sale. Her husband should bear that fact in remembrance when he looks at the bill. If she gets good value for her money without going into debt, he must admit that is fair and square.