Spirella Manual (1913)/Section 13
SECTION 13[edit]
- Terms.
116. THE VERY LIBERAL TERMS allowed you on our goods necessitates that our business dealings be conducted on a cash basis or its equivalent. To accommodate many worthy and industrious local Representatives, we allow them their choice of three different ways of ordering which we give in order of our preference.
117. First: Cash with order, the cheapest and most satisfactory for both parties. It saves expense and any further reference to the transaction and insures prompt attention.
118. Second: C. O. D. by express. When goods are ordered C. O. D. by express, at least ten per cent of the amount of the bill must accompany the order as a guarantee that the goods will be taken from the express office promptly. Such advance sum must he at least $1.00, when ten per cent would amount to less.
119. Third: Letter of Credit. This security allows thirty days' time after the date of shipment in which to pay for goods. We furnish blank forms free on application. As surety an Letter of Credit, we will accept a person owning real estate above all encumbrances and exemptions to the amount of $1,000, or a business man favorably reported by the Commercial Agencies. If you find it necessary to use a Letter of Credit, have it properly filled out and at our office not later than fifteen days before the goods are shipped, as we must make inquiries concerning the responsibility of your surety. This is imperative. If you are late in sending us your Letter of Credit and your order is delayed, don't blame us. In opening an account with you and shipping you goods on the strength of the Letter of Credit, we do so with the understanding that you will make it as near a cash transaction as possible. By this we mean that you will send us the first money collected on the goods and get it to us just as quickly as possible, if no more than five or six days have transpired after receiving the shipment. As already stated, our terms are cash, not thirty days. You owe it to your surety, who has placed confidence in your honesty and integrity, and to the firm, who have granted you this special accommodation, and to yourself, as you are certainly interested in your own credit, to demonstrate that this confidence has not been misplaced. A habit of meeting business obligations promptly and before they are due is the very best business habit anyone can form.
120. We will not, under any circumstances, open an account until a satisfactory Letter of Credit has been received by the firm. Representatives owning $1,000 worth or more of real estate, above all exemptions and liabilities, can became their own surety and sign their own Letters of Credit, by us with satisfactory reference that the statement set forth in regard to such ownership of property is as represented. When satisfactory Letter of Credit has been provided, we will allow a Representative to open an account for the full amount, or any proportion of the amount stated herein. All accounts must be settled within thirty days, or earlier, if possible, from date of shipment.
121. WE DO NOT SHIP A SECOND ORDER ON CREDIT unless a remittance of a part or in full of the previous account accompanies the second order. We will allow a running account on a Letter of Credit, provided the whole amount of your indebtedness and order at any one time does not exceed the limit of your Letter of Credit. To insure your orders receiving prompt attention at all times, keep your credit good with the House. If any of our rules seem strict to you, remember that we endeavor to be as accommodating as we can possibly be consistent with sound business principles. You could not afford to do business with us were we more liberal than this. For further instructions in regard to terms we refer you to "Rules of Shipping," on our Order Sheet, and to our regular Letter of Credit blanks, both of which we will promptly send on application.
122. Remittance should be sent by Post Office Money Order, Express Money Order or Bank Draft. Do not send personal checks unless you send 15 cents extra for exchange, and are willing to have your order delayed until it is known that the check will be honored by the bank on which it is drawn. This sometimes necessitates a delay of two or three days. If working in a rural district where "none of the above facilities are accessible, you may send money by registered letter from any postoffice in the United States. This is the least satisfactory way of remitting on account of delays in reaching destination. Cash sent in an unregistered letter is always sent at owner's risk.
123. We make extra charges for Special and Custom work. A complete list of Specials with charges for each is found in our Wholesale Price List.
If you soil or damage a corset in fitting it so we must replace it with a new one, you must pay cost of material and labor wasted.
One or two corsets can be sent by express at postal rates, one cent for each ounce, with a minimum charge of 20 cents on a single shipment. You would better order single corsets by express when possible. This insures the delivery of goods. You can obtain this special rate only by sending money with your order to prepay express. Nothing is saved, however, by prepaying express charges on packages weighing over four pounds.
124. Be sure your remittance is right. When ordering goods sent by mail, include the correct amount of postage. The cost of mailing is from 17 to 30 cents each, depending upon the weight, if necessary to order by mail.
Goods will be sent by mail only upon receipt of price and amount necessary for postage in advance, and at the risk of the one ordering.
If your order includes Specials, do not forget the extra charge. This. will insure your orders being filled promptly and accurately.
Put your full address an every letter, and IF FOR ANY REASON YOU RETURN A CORSET TO US, SEND BY MAIL, PLACE YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PACKAGE.
125. SAMPLE LINES.—Samples are furnished at regular prices. We add the cost price of the sample cases in outfits to the retail price of the goods contained therein. The usual price of the leather sample case is $2.00.
126. REFUND.—When a Representative has bought and paid for goods to the amount of $100.00 at wholesale price within one year from date of contract she is entitled as a refund to an exact duplicate of the goods contained in any regular sample Line ordered, free of charge, provided price paid for line does not exceed $30.00. Lines from $30.00 to $50.00 are duplicated on a $200.00 sale. Lines above $50.00. are refunded an a $300.00 sale per Refund Coupon. This is not a cash refund, but simply a duplicate of stock in line. As we supply the cases at cost price, no rebate is allowed on these cases under any circumstances.
127. YOUR SAMPLES.—Every Local Representative should start with at least four sample corsets to show, and should wear a Spirella Corset of the proper size and model for herself when taking orders. As fast as possible enlarge your line until you have a sample of every corset we are making. While we do not advise your carrying more than seven samples at a time, it is often valuable to have a sample of each style in your home so that you can study it and have it on hand when the occasion requires. If you follow these suggestions you will do a much larger business. IF YOU HAVE NOT A LARGE LINE, ENLARGE IT AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
128. Never lace samples carried in your outfit. You can display them better by simply hooking them together with the clasp. They do not show up as well when laced in the back. The front is the most attractive and the corset should be displayed to show it to the best advantage.
Before ordering, women naturally want to see specimens of the goods you are selling, consequently you must have samples to show. There are many different kinds of figures and we make corsets suited to all. The more samples you carry, the more women you can interest, the more corsets you can sell. Always have your samples clean, fresh, and therefore attractive. Whenever you have an opportunity, sell them at a slight discount if they have became sailed, and order new ones. It will pay you well to do so. It is poor policy to carry soiled or worn samples. It detracts from the looks of the goods and makes the first impression of the new customer an unfavorable one. Remember, then, you should always have fresh samples—it is very important to your success.