(Q) Why do the retail stores known as ... and ..., of which
[
5417] is merchandiser - not seem to progress?
(A) There are MANY conditions that are to be considered in
these relations. There IS progress, and progress in the
right directions. There must be acknowledged that there are
strenuous seasons at the present, and in reality HAVE BEEN
for the last five months. The changes as will be found
necessary, not so much in the inducements in price - other
than that as has been, is, customary in certain seasons, but
more interest should be given as to the courteous handling of
the varied individual groups TO whom, THROUGH whom, the
business has been and is dependent upon for the success.
Now, these present a different angle from what is ordinarily
called the retail stores, where there is the perchance of the
sale, or of the group, or of the masses passing, or of the
mass production in the distribution, but rather through
CLASSES, through GROUPS, and not so much MASSES, does the
interest need be made keen by the competitive forces in the
sales departments, as to their abilities to meet each and
every situation in the best possible manner; and we will find
that, with a little more of the newspaper ads - yes, but in
certain group classing, or group massing, of distribution of
individual articles along certain lines - these also
following, followed up, by the distribution of those
NECESSARY elements to keep this, not at a high pressure - but
as the most economical from the standpoint of getting or
obtaining JUST that as is sought through these channels.
Get that?
(Q) How can new life be brought to the business to show
added sales and profits?
(A) In just the manner as has been outlined. In following
up the groups TO whom and THROUGH whom the distribution is
at, and should be in, the highest points.
(Q) Would contact between union organizations be successful?
(A) Will the articles, or those properties, or those
articles that are to be distributed, come through the same
channels. This is bad business, to make this as an EXAMPLE.
Rather that of the various groups in various centers. Of
course, this may be MADE to be worth while, but this calls
for some very diplomatic handling, else you would have a
rebound that would NOT be satisfactory; for, for a demand on,
or for the appeal to, certain groups - there comes the appeal
in the opposite direction, see? THAT is the spirit that must
be kept first and foremost, that it is HONEST endeavor, to an
HONEST group, to give an HONEST product for that necessary,
or to MEET THE NEEDS of the varied conditions. THIS is the
manner to make it the most successful.
(Q) Shall we combine all ... and ... Stores under the name
of ..., Incorporated?
(A) This, in some respects, offers, of course, a channel -
but in such changes made at the present would entail such an
enormous AMOUNT of change, that at the very present, or
outset, would be NOT in keeping with that desired; yet
EVENTUALLY could be MADE to be worth while. Get that? Just
partially. That is, there is at the present time discussion
and dissension along this very line, and there are groups and
classes that would be made to FEEL the change was aimed or
directed at a different group, see? Then, these would make
for hardships for the time BEING, in the quantity - and
unless quality AND quantity is maintained, until at least the
latter portion of the present year, or the first of the next,
these would hardly be the BEST policies at present.
(Q) Should [
5417] endeavor to buy in another city a store of
his own for his future protection?
(A) This would be very well, provided that -
(Q) How would his present associates feel about it?
(A) (Continuing) provided that this was DONE in the proper
way and manner; that is, that all associates and all of those
interested would KNOW, full well, that such was being done,
not ONLY for the protection of SELF, but as an OUTLET for
certain of the conditions as HAVE arisen, and naturally DO
arise, in such conditions and such surroundings. This might
be made, then, to be a valuable asset, not only to [
5417] but
to those others interested.
(Q) Will [
5417] put it over, and will he stay after his
contract expires?
(A) He will be able to put it over, and that is with HIMSELF
as to whether he stays after the contract. He will be asked
for another!
(Q) Would [
257] be of any specific value to [
5417] in the
conduct of the retail stores?
(A) In many ways and manners, each and every individual may
be made an aid to another, provided neither chooses to be
that position of the final answer. THAT must be left WITH
the one in charge. There may be COUNSEL, and then there is
COUNSEL. The counsel that is of the constructive type is
ALWAYS helpful. That of the opposite, NOT always pleasant -
nor not always helpful.
(Q) What new plan will bring new customers in large
quantities?
(A) The appeal to the groups in certain sectors, or classes,
as has been outlined. Study that well, and you'll have a
whole store in itself!
(Q) When will the stores show the big improvement [
5417] has
hoped for?
(A) Beginning in April, present year.
(Q) What is main reason the stores have not succeeded as
expected?
(A) The general depressing conditions in ALL PORTIONS of the
country. That existent, and cannot be denied - and ISN'T
FOUND to be other than is expressed in THESE, in other
sectors.
(Q) Where should more stores be added?
(A) In the adjoining territories that have the larger
settled population; that is, those districts or those places
where there is the continued settlement, and not the SHIFTING
settlements.
(Q) Advise [
5417] how he can conduct himself so he can
become an outstanding merchant in N.Y.?
(A) Show thyself first approved unto thine self. Then, thou
will not be false to any man. Keep the faith as is set in,
"As thou would have done to you, do ye even so to others."
Work and pray, keeping the faith in that as "That I mete to
my fellow man, my fellow man will mete to me. That WILL not,
DOES not, EVER fail.
(Q) Should [
5417] plan to work with [
257] in having his
furniture built at ...?
(A) That is not best in all CONDITIONS; in part very well,
but that should be weighed WELL - because there should be
changes in ..., even before the real establishing would be
begun in such way.
(Q) Did [
5417] make proper decision in discharging Mr.
[...], Friday, in the $40 disappearance?
(A) He did correct.
(Q) How can we improve [
5417]'s present method of selling
and conducting our business?
(A) Following along the lines as has been given. These are
ALWAYS the manner in which to conduct such. First know that
the plan as is worked out is a plausible and a feasible one,
and a WORKABLE one in the EXISTENT SITUATION. Then work the
plan like thunder!
(Q) Is the one price policy correct?
(A) Correct. Though there may be made in such conditions a
three price policy, a more plausible or more feasible one.
That not meaning that there are three prices to the same
article, but rather the three priced article that follow
along, one after the other, see?
(Q) Please explain what is meant by the three priced
article?
(A) There are groups that are only able to pay a dollar for
a shirt. There are others that can pay two, or two and a
half. There are others that pay five. Now the three groups
must be handled in the proper way and manner! Do not try to
sell the two-fifty man a dollar shirt; neither try to sell
the five dollar man a dollar shirt, or the dollar man a five
dollar shirt! See?
(Q) How can [
5417]'s associate, [...], be of most valuable
assistance in the success of the business?
(A) These plans as have been set, as regarding the ways and
manners in which the body has been or may be of aid, are the
better. These followed and worked closely, should be the
most satisfactory.
(Q) Why have stores not progressed under his sole
management?
(A) On account of - not indolence, but on account of the
lack of acumen in the handling of those in charge of
departments. [...]'s.
(Q) Should we continue so many of [...]'s relatives in the
business?
(A) Gradually weed them out.
(Q) Should any of our managers be changed?
(A) These should have due consideration, but unless the
plans as set forth are worked - then change. As given, be
sure the plans are set correct in the various circumstances,
and to meet the various conditions in the various places.
Each store represents a WORLD of its own, and the management
of same - or of one - may not BE the same character as
necessary for the management of another. As these are worked
out, see that they conform to the IDEALS - as well as the
IDEAS - of one managing same. We are through for the
present.
Copy to [5417]
Copy to [257]
Copy to Ass'n office
Copy to Datastician
BACKGROUND
See
5417-2, a previous business reading.
See
257-55 on
2/14/30.
REPORTS
3/02/30 Mr. [
257] obtained
257-56 answering further questions.
3/03/30 See
5417-5, a physical reading.
12/04/35 See friend's rdg.
619-5, Par. 47-A advising
possibility of [
5417] obtaining position with Crowley Milner
Co. in early 1936.
7/24/36 Friend [
257]'s letter: "[
5417] returns to live in
N.Y. Sept. 15th."
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation