CASH OR CREDIT?

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1014, 2 January 1911, Page 4

CASH OR CREDIT?

THE PROBLEM' OF THE LOAF. About two years ago the Wellington bakers almost unanimously adopted the coupon system, which is, theoretically, at all events, equivalent- not merely to "cash trade, but to payment in advance of delivery. Customers did not at first tako very kindly to the scheme, but they submitted perforco to the rule of "cash ,or ccupon,' and the inconvenience after, all did not prove very serious. There was a measure of compensation in the small discount off the standard price that was obtainable by purchasing the coupons. There was also the hopo that tho bakers would be so advantaged by the eliminating of bad debts, the saving of bookkeeping, and the more 'effective check upon their employees that they would voluntarily keep down the price of the loaf. Whether this last has actually been the case it is difficult to say, but tliero is no doubt about the discount to the consumer and a certain saving to tha baker. Lately, however, a few of the bakers have reverted-to tho old system of weekly accounts. They, say that the.coupon scheme in practice was troublesome because people lost their coupons, induced the delivery man to give, them a few days' credit, and then disputed the amount due. So.far as can be ascertained, only a small minority of the bakers have gone luck to tho old methods, biit they include the president of tho Wellington Master Bakers' Association. Whether the association will endeavour to reestablish uniformity of practiceeither with or without the coupons—remains to bo seen; If not, the' consumers will presumably have tho finai word, and it will be interesting to see which system they prefer.