Furniture Profits Are Not Enormous

Some people entertain the erroneous idea that the profit on furniture is something enormous. This idea must he formed because the first outlay seems to be large.Would not the same profit rule apply to real estate or the house in which one lives? Figure the grocery hills for ten years only and see how that will compare with a hill of furniture that is bought once in a life time, if chosen with knowledge.

The public in general does not realize that the furniture business is a very difficult business to conduct properly and profitably. This difficulty is due to the spacious display rooms required and the large force of employes needed to conduct the sale of the goods, handling, unpacking, cleaning, etc.

Patronise Reputable Dealers

But few people know how to select goods advantageously, and if compelled to buy in large cities should be more cautious than in the smaller towns. In the cities some stores can thrive on the trade which comes into the store but once. They never expect to see their customers again and consequently are indifferent as to the quality of the goods they sell them. Therefore, those who live in a city should go to a reputable dealer where it is known that the quality of goods and the prices are right.

There is not a reputable house that cares to sell anything except quality goods, as such goods are an everlasting advertising asset. This does not necessarily mean that quality goods are free from defects. Instances occur where glue joints fail to hold or the silvering on backs of mirrors checks or peels. Some unpreventable thing may happen to the very best grade of furniture.

It should be remembered that the furniture dealer is merely an agent through whom goods are introduced. He should not be obliged to repair furniture free of charges after delivered and received in good order, any more than should a plumber be expected to keep a plumbing job up after it has been accepted. If an article that is purchased does not give as good service as it should, the merchant or agent should be notified and he will be only too glad to refer the matter to the factory or maker of the article, who, as a rule, will make satisfactory adjustment through their agent. Almost all manufacturers stand back of their own goods. Your interests,therefore, are protected by any reliable merchant.

American Made Furniture Is Universal

It is to one's advantage to buy goods at home. Don't be like the lady who went to Europe and brought home with her a beautiful chair. The man hired to impark it carelessly knocked it against a door, thus mutilating some of the carving, and under that carving was the hold trade mark of an American manufacturer. This is but one of thousands of cases where American made goods are purchased abroad.

Home Buying Versus Mail Order Buying

It is usually more satisfactory to buy furniture from sample than to select from pictures or a catalogue. The mail order houses are numerous these days and the unsophisticated are liable to be led astray by attractive or overdrawn pictures and nicely worded advertisements which sometimes represent the goods to be better than they really are. Mail order houses seldom the branded advertised lines of goods and seldom the best class of trade, because conservative buyers go where they can see the article they want. If one is not interested enough in what is being bought to see the goods before purchasing, and can pay cash in advance, and can wait for the arrival of the goods, one can eliminate a part of the cost of service for which a dealer, carrying a large assortment to choose from, must be paid.

In buying a household outfit from a mail order house it seldom occurs that the goods are in stock, consequently the goods are shipped from various parts of the country, necessitating a wait of from two to four weeks, sometimes longer, before the arrival of the goods.