A New Departure.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 127, 4 May 1885, Page 3

A New Departure.

It has long been a standing grievance with cash customers (writes the Wanganui Chronicle) and people who are m a position to pay cash, that the storekeepers and others do not offer them any inducements to pay as they go. The credit system they say, has obtained such a hold upon the community, that business people really prefer to book everything rather than be bothered with taking cash over the counter, the result being that cash and credit customers have to pay the same prices, which are made sufficiently high to allow for the losses that must inevitably accrue where accounts are allowed to remain so long outstanding. The grievance is a subBtantial one, and we notice that Mr P. Bell, of Wanganui, has entirely remodelled the business platform of Victoria House with a view to remedying it. Mr Bell's plan seems to us to hit the nail of the difficulty on the head, and it will doubtlesß secure for him a large increase on his present extensive business. The plan is simplicity itself. In future all goods are to be marked m plain figures at lowest remunerative priceß, and customers will be able to judge at sight of the value they are getting. All goods booked to approved customers will be charged at the marked prices, but customers who prefer to pay cash will be entitled to, and will receive, a discount of ten per cent., which will apply to all purchases alike, whether large or small — as Mr Bell puts it, from 2s 6d to £5. The idea is a good one, and we havo not the least doubt will receive the encouragement which it deserves.