GOODS ON APPROVAL

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 193, 9 May 1908, Page 11

GOODS ON APPROVAL

A trado journal, published in England, tells some woeful stories of • American customers who havo had goods sent to their homes on approval, ami, after making uso of them, returned them to the' shop as not wanted. It admits that the custom of sending things on approval leads to business not obtainable in any other way ; t-liat this is particularly so, when articles of dress aro in question, or such things as curtains, or tabloTcovers, which can often bo seen .to best advantage in their natural surroundings;: But American customers seem to tako a very unfair advantago of the storekeepers, according to the stories told. Hero is oiio vouched for by a big Now York house. Ono of their best customers, a lady, asked for samples, "on approval," of tho handsomest and most costly lace curtains to bo had. These woro duly' obtained and submitted, and the lady ordered a dozen pairs .of one pattern, to bo delivered. In or three days they were all'sent-, back. She had decided not to keep them! Inquiry revealed tho fact that the curtains had-only boon wanted for a special event of social importance at the lady s house, and she .'adopted this means of furnishing her windows at the draper's expense. Of course, tho 'firm remonstrated, and urged that they could not take the curtains back, that they wore specially obtained to order, and so on. All was useless. The lady insisted upon returning them or closing her account. "If you do not take them back," she said, "I will, take all my trade to B 's." Tho draper took the goods back, and possibly. has'them in stock even now.' . A somewhat similar case happened to another firm, a quantity of valuable rugs being ordered "oil approval.". After a day or two, tho firm sent a van to fetch away thoso not selected for purchase. The carman was interviewed by a servant, who explained that lie could not have the rugs till next day, because. "the party was only being held that ©veiling." In this instance, the firm determined to make an example of the customer, and commenced an action for tho price of the whole of the rugs.' The customer stormed and threatened, but the retailor'stood firm,.and before, the date arrived upon which the case was "to bo heard the money was paid into court. It isf however, the almost unanimous testimony of retailers that it seldom pays: to tako such drastic action. As a mere matter of profit and loss, it is oftcner ;wiser to suffer tho injustice. 'An American carpet-dealer once had 1 a funny experience in connection • with. goods being sent "on, approval." He received an order for-a quantity ,of Oriental rugs "oil appro.," and it turned out that tlioy wore wanted'in reality for uso at a .function I ,where tho husband ivas inviting all the guests. The carpet man chanced to be ono of tho invited, and had the pleasure of seeing- all his nigs disposed about tho houso. ■ Of course, the hostess looked'very uncomfortable when alio saw tho carpet, man present, but nothing was said. ■ Next .day the. rugs" camo -back; with grapes and raisins trodden, into some of them, arid the principal's attention was called to tho fact. "Never mind, Sam," he said, "1 was there myself, and I had a splendid time."' ". \

V I-'6il THE RACES. 'This smart'costume is. a gown of pearl' grey - satin cloth,' braided with narrow, silk soutache, and .possesses the "very .newest", sleeves; - thb revers ar.o of. handsome insertion. . -