How to buy furniture for the home

Front matter

RMPON

HUM

HOW

CHAPTER I Page

Introduction 1

High cost of living.

Education is important.

A little advice to beginners.

To buy wisely is to buy economically.

Production and distribution.

The middleman "The Distributor".

A word about the cost of furniture-making.

Furniture profits are not enormous.

Patronize reputable dealers.

American-made furniture is universal.

Home buying versus mail-order buying.

Freight, damages, etc.

Think twice before buying on the installment plan.

A kindly word of warning.

Trading" stamp, premium and gift schemes.

Dishonest buyers harm honest buyers and honest

merchants.

Eliminating and discriminating.

Leaders or specials.

Terms should be a secondary consideration. Better to buy where acquainted.

CHAPTER V Period Furniture 43

Study kindles desire.

English furniture predominates.

Chronological arrangement of period furniture.

Classic period.

Gothic period.

Fifteenth Century Renaissance.

Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Tudor periods.

Elizabethan.

Jacobean.

Cromwellian.

Queen Anne period.

Chippendale period.

Hepplewhite period.

Adam period.

Sheraton period.

Louis XIV period.

Louis XV period.

Louis XVI period.

First Empire period.

Colonial period.

Post Colonial period.

L'Art Nouveau.

Modern mission style.

CONTENTS xi

CHAPTER VI Page

Kitchen 64

Stoves and ranges.

Directions for setting up stoves and ranges.

Directions for operating.

Base burners.

Electric cookers.

Gas stoves.

Kitchen cabinet.

A practical suggestion.

Kitchen stools.

Kitchen tables.

Refrigerators.

Care of a refrigerator.

Window refrigerators.

Fireless cookers.

CHAPTER VII Dining Room 83

Modern finishes.

Dining table.

Table pads.

Buffets and china closets.

Dishes.

Dining chairs.

Chair glides.

CHAPTER VIII Living Room 90

Rocking chairs.

Davenports.

Sanitary couches.

Couches.

Living-room tables.

Straight chairs.

Arts and crafts construction.

CHAPTER IX Bedroom 97

Modern finishes.

Dressers, etc.

Bedroom desks.

xii CONTENTS

Bedroom — Continued. Page

Dressing tables.

Cheval mirrors.

Bedroom chairs.

Plate glass tops.

Casters.

Locks.

Beds.

Brass finishes.

Brass beds.

Lacquers. ^Clothes trees.

A brass cleanser.

Wood, poster and bungalow beds.

Twin beds.

Bed springs.

Box mattresses.

Mattresses.

Inferior mattresses.

Silk floss mattresses.

Hair mattresses.

Proper care of mattresses.

Pillows.

Cedar chests.

The auto valet.

CHAPTER XVI Carpets and Rugs 141

Carpet terms.

Printed tapestry Brussels.

Tapestry Brussels and body Brussels and velvets.

A poor test.

Axminster, Moquette and Savonnerie Carpetings.

Sweeping of Axminster carpets.

Sizing of rugs.

Moths. # Sprouting.

Smyrna carpets.

Ingrain carpets.

Points of service.

Shrinking of carpets.

Carpets fading.

Table, giving yardage for different size rooms. Carpet widths and measurements.

Selecting carpets.

Color blending chart.

xiv CONTENTS

Chapter I

In considering that the cost of living is now an all important topic for discussion, it is most essential that everybody, especially the younger people, be advised in a degree, at least, as to how, where, and what to buy in the furnishing of their homes.

Commodities, on an average, are today little, if any higher priced than years ago, but the public demands better things and when an analysis is taken, it will be found that the high cost of living is not so much a matter of the great increase in prices as it is a growing demand for the best ; not a question of the high cost of living, but as some one has said "The cost of high living."

When any article is purchased nowadays it is usually found that the quantity received is much less than in previous years, but an attractive transformation will be noticed in that the article is encased in an elaborate carton, or wrapped in tissue paper and perhaps bound in ribbon ; all of these things are summed up and called "Service."

Education Is Important — Education, therefore,

i seems as indispensable when it comes to the important matter of furnishing- a place where one expects to spend, perhaps, the rest of one's life, as it is along any other channel. The matter of educating the public in the economical buying of furniture, that is. to use better and more serviceable furniture, has been sadly neglected. It has been stated that the annual expenditure for furniture in the entire country at the present time amounts to only one dollar and fifty cents per capita, while the amount spent for cigars, tobacco, and coco-cola is something like eight times that amount. Whether this be true or not, the indications are that the furnishing of the home, so far. has not entered into the high cost of living; instead, the money that should go into the home is spent for things that appeal to and attract the pleasure loving.

A Little -ld:;cc to Beginners — "Rut very little has been offered in really good all-around advice to beginners as to how to go about the furnishing of their new home, and yet there is nothing in the whole curriculum of commodities of which there is as little known as the buying of household furniture. The reason is easily seen, for if a girl has been properlv trained. she has. by the time she reaches a marriageable age. become somewhat proficient in cooking and sewing, in the selection of her clothes, in the management of a home, but she knows least of all relative to the furnishing' of the same, while the young man knows much less. His time has been occupied in gaining- his education, or if a laborer or a tradesman, his schooling and his work have occupied his time. At the time of their marriage the furnishing of a home enters abruptly but surely into their life and they together are compelled to figure out something entirely new and foreign and in most cases without the aid of even having previously visited a furniture establishment.

To Buy Wisely Is to Buy Economically. — Young people would be better pleased with their purchases if they would make their own selection, but they are sometimes inflenced by their friends or relatives against buying what they wish. Many a couple, when starting to furnish their home, has made the huge mistake of buying a quantity of the cheapest goods they could find, with the idea of purchasing a better grade later. After a few years of wear and tear they find that it would have been economy to have purchased goods of quality rather than quantity. "More quality and less quantity," therefore, should be the slogan of every purchaser.

Quality, it must be understood, should be considered in all phases. Quality of material, quality of workmanship, quality of design, quality of finish and appearance.

Production and Distribution — The great problem of trade consists fundamentally in the process of production and distribution. While these activities must be co-existent, the great commercial problem is more that of distributing than that of producing, because production is governed by the demand, or distribution. A moment's reflection will reveal the fact that the selling or distributing forces are perhaps the greatest activities in the world to-day, as every man, regardless of his profession, has something in one form or another to sell.

The Middleman "the Distributor" — The distribution of commodities in most cases is ultimately the work of a retail shop, sometimes called the "middleman." The retailer is to the home what the architect is to the building; the decorator to the interior of the home. If one will consider the quantity of goods that a single manufacturer puts out, and that this same manufacturer makes hundreds and possibly thousands of a single pattern, and that probably only a very few pieces of each design go into a community, one will appreciate more fully the value of the middleman. Through him we are able to obtain an article at the same low price as does the person who lives in a large city where hundreds of the same design are sold. Imagine the inconvenience and dissatisfaction of one having to communicate with the manufacturer for each article needed in the home. The fact that there is an army of merchants makes it possible for a manufacturer to offer an article at the minimum cost. To fill these demands enables him to make hundreds of duplicates rather than six or a dozen. It must be understood that the first article of a given kind sometimes costs hundreds of dollars, but just as soon as this article is made in quantities, the cost lowers in proportion, which gives a reduced price to the consumer.

A Word About the Cost of Furniture Making — One not engaged in the manufacturing business little appreciates the value of cost making. Is it merely some one's idea that a certain article is to bring a certain retail price and that that theoretical price is simply attached, or is there something with a more fixed basis that determines the cost of an article ? There must be — so there is. What is the worth of a large oak in a forest? One may buy it for a trifle, perhaps turn it into a household piece of furniture. That thought may lead one to believe that one's furniture will cost but very little ; however, it would be found that by the time the tree is converted into furniture the investment will be ten or twenty times the price of the tree, and in the end one will have an article much smaller than the original oak. The real cost of furniture is not the wood that is in it, but the labor and service rendered during its transformation from a tree in the forest to a piece of beautiful furniture in a home. The cost of services and labor can be determined to one's satisfaction by purchasing an old piece of furniture or an antiquity, and having it refinished. Rare specimens of antique furniture have been purchased at a low figure, but when refinished and put into first-class shape it was found that the cost was greater than a new reproduction is worth and not as good, since the workmanship of the high grade manufacturers of today usually surpasses that of the past.

It is a difficult matter to ascertain the real monetary value of an article. Some claim to do so, but in truth no one knows the cost of an article except the manufacturer. Thousands of manufacturers have failed in business, owing to the incorrect estimates of the cost of production, and in consequence, selling the article at

little or no profit. An article of good merit and construction was placed where experienced buyers from all over the country assembled, who were asked to name a price on the piece. Their guesses varied from ten to fifty dollars. If the educated buyer makes such widely varied answers, how could it he expected of the laymen to know the value of an article? In most instances the shopper is not really satisfied in his own mind, simply because he does not know values when he sees them, but often buys to suit his pocketbook, thus sacrificing- quality and trusting to luck tor the service, which sometimes proves unsatisfactory.

furniture Fronts .Irs Not Enormous — Some people entertain the erroneous idea that the profit on furniture is something enormous. This idea must be 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 bills for ten years only and see how that will compare with a bill of furniture that is bought once in a life time, if chosen with know ledge.

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.

Patronize 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 hut 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. lie 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, arc 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 unpack it carelessly knocked it against a door, thus mutilating some oi the carving, and under that carving was the bold trade mark oi an American manufacturer. This is but one oi thousands of cases where American made goods are purchased abroad.

Home Buying Versus Mai! 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 awn pictures and nicely worded advertise-

ments which sometimes represent the goods to be better than they really are. Mail order houses seldom get the branded advertised tines oi gooo\> and seldom get 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.

Freight, Damages, Etc. — Freight and drayage is an item that is added to the cost of the goods, the same as an item of production. If the goods are bought of a home merchant, the price includes the freight, and the goods arc placed in the home free of any other charges. If they are purchased from a mail order house the freight is usually not considered and is to be paid by the purchaser on arrival of the goods, besides the extra trouble of unpacking and setting up the furniture. Freight alone sometimes makes a difference in price between mail order and local concerns of from five to twenty per cent, owing to the distance of shipping points.

In receiving a shipment, one should be sure to see that the goods are not broken before taking them from the freight house, and before signing a clear receipt for them. As soon as the receipt is signed the railroad company is released. If anything is broken, a breakage or damage notation as to what is broken must be made upon the freight bill, by the freight agent. After a satisfactory notation is made, the receipt for the goods may be signed. After broken parts are replaced at your expense, a claim must be filed against the railroad company, with a paid invoice of the repair expense along with the freight bill showing the breakage notation, if remuneration is expected. A settleio HOW TO BUY FURNITURE

ment for damages will come as soon as the transportation company sees that the claim is just, which takes from thirty to ninety days, sometimes longer. As soon as a shipper places goods in a freight house and obtains a signed receipt for same from the railroad company, he is no longer liable, and in the event of breakage or damage in transit the settlement must be made between the railroad company and the person to whom the goods are sent or consigned.

Think Twice Before Buying on Installment Plan — It sometimes occurs that when young men are ready to establish a home they are financially limited. Up to this time they have probably lived comfortably, but have accumulated very little money, consequently they seek the installment store for their furnishings. The installment or credit business has greatly developed in the last twelve or fifteen years. There are two kinds of installment stores, although few people are aware of the fact. One is the sort that will extend a reasonable amount of credit with a certain amount of cash demanded at time of purchase, the balance to be paid within a reasonable given time. Almost every first-class store will extend such credit, although they may not advertise it. This kind of a store does a great deal of good in its community in that it sells goods of quality at a reasonable profit. The second is the store that will sell almost any amount of goods with a small payment down, with an agreement that the balance be paid in small weekly or monthly

HOW TO BUY FURNITURE n

installments. They usually have an inferior grade of goods and sell at a large profit. While this kind of a store poses along with the first mentioned as a credit house, this is the one to shun. If their inferior grade of furniture is bought it will probably wear out or fall to pieces before it is paid for, or if their goods of quality is selected the price is prohibitive.

Such advertisements as : "Stop worrying, take advantage of our liberal credit plan," "One dollar down and fifty cents a week," "Pay when you can," "Let us carry the load," etc., seem to offer much, but really give little, and attract certain people, and many sales are the result. Not until one is into a deal contracted under such alluring promises is it realized that it is, after all, a burden. It will be learned that the promise of such easy payments, etc., has been somewhat magnified. Not until after the second or third month does one realize that five dollars a month on a two or three hundred dollar bill will take from forty to sixty months, or three and one-half to five years, of continuous monthly paying to pay the debt. Most young people do not stop to reason this out before they enter into their contract, otherwise, they would not assume such a large obligation.

Many a young couple has tried to go to housekeeping on a meager salary, only to be final victims of the installment house or loan shark, or both. This is due mostly to inexperience or to a lack of forethought, as the actual running expenses of the home, such as rent, light, heat, doctor bills, car fare, insurance, laundry, grocery, and other necessary bills had not been carefully considered.

On the other hand the credit accommodation has been a good thing for some people, as they undoubtedly could never have furnished a home had they not have had the advantages of credit.

One should not object to giving the merchant proper references when asking for credit (a loan of his property). If one is not worth fifty dollars, credit for fifty dollars should not be asked, nor should one blame the merchant if he does not grant it. If a person draws but twelve dollars a week and has no other resources, how much credit can he expect? If one can not pay the first weekly bill how can one expect to pay twice that amount at the end of the second week? These things should be carefully considered before entering into any form of a contract.

A Kindly Word of Warning — A word of warning relative to the buying of goods on "lease," or "contract" or "form" or "agreement," or in whatever term it might be applied; it all has the same meaning. A "lease" is a written contract for the letting of goods on certain terms for a specified time. Failure to meet the required terms gives the owner of the goods rightful possession, and will hold good in almost every state. When a bill on a lease is paid, obtain the original signed lease or contract and have it marked paid in full. Buying more goods and having it added to the former lease makes all the furniture on that lease liable to seizure by default by the firm from which they are purchased, as all the goods will show to be on the same contract over your signature.- However, when one needs more goods and hasn't additional money it is a good plan to bind the previous bill of goods with an additional form of contract, thereby gaining credit and securing the merchant. It is the best plan to pay for one bill before entering into another contract. There are many forms of contracts or leases, so be sure to read the agreement before signing, to know exactly what is expected of you.

Many unprincipled business methods will be found. Catchy schemes and bright salesmen are sometimes alert to take advantage of the unwary. Warning should be taken against such schemes as the following: A second-hand sewing machine is advertised for sale. The advertisement is answered and probably a machine is bought, and yet day after day the same advertisement appears in the paper. A second purchaser calls and he will find another machine, hears the same story about the owner having to leave the country on account of poor health, or some equally pathetic tale. A thorough investigation will reveal the fact that this so-called private family is acting as an agent for some second hand or unscrupulous concern, and that the constantly appearing advertisements serve as bait for the unsuspecting public. All kinds of house supplies are disposed of in this manner ; the agents will tell almost anything, many times misrepresenting the goods, and only too late it is discovered that the article was not "Solid Mahogany" or "Genuine Quartered Oak," but merely a poor imitation. In large cities many schemes are being devised daily to lure the inexperienced into buying a lot of cheap goods that are not fit to go into a home. The smaller cities and towns prove a poorer field for such operations.

Country folk also prove easy victims for schemers, and it is surprising how often they are duped into entering into contracts without a thorough investigation. Cases have been known where agents selling an article to country people, especially, guarantee to allow from four to five years to pay the bill of $45 or $75. The agent agrees to take a note made out for three months for the amount, and promises at the end of that time to renew the note for another three months. The promise sounds good and the contract is closed. The note is taken to the nearest bank that will discount it, the agent gets the money and when the note falls due in three months the bank expects a settlement from the one who signed it, while the agent by that time is working some other territory and is not to be found.

Trading Stamp, Premium and Gift Schemes — Many premium, trading stamp and gift schemes are offered as an incentive to trade, but every one knows, or should know, that nothing is given away. The consumer pays for everything he gets. A man stated that his friend tried to induce him to join a soap club in order to get a premium. His answer was that he would have to pay more than the regular price for the soaps and spices if he were to receive a premium. His friend insisted that he would not, but to satisfy himself, he telephoned to his grocer and learned that the articles could be bought for at least ten per cent less. Regardless of the fact that the price of a premium is provided for in the balance of an order, some people continue to believe they are getting it for nothing.

Do not be the victim of fraudulent furniture clubs in which you are to pay from twenty-five cents to one dollar each week or month, in order to obtain glittering premiums, or furniture at discounts. Do not be deceived by the concern that offers you a card of introduction to another larger concern, possibly in another city, giving you the impression of buying goods at manufacturers' prices or at wholesale cost. The small concern will get at least a commission, and the larger concern will get the regular profit. No difference what their claim may be, it must be understood that goods are sold for a profit the world over, and not for sake of friendship. A business to live and thrive must pay profits and to do this must give value which is the essential element in every sale.

Books could be written on the experiences of people who are easily influenced by unscrupulous business methods and yet through such methods great establishments continue to prosper.

Dishonest Buyers Harm Honest Buyers and Honest Merchants — Dishonest people have helped to make the credit or installment business a hard one. These people actually make a business of going from place to place, pretending almost anything to obtain goods on credit.

After paying a few installments on the debt, they move to another city to do the same thing over again. Some even go so far as to try to sell the goods that they have purchased on a lease or contract, and many have been successful. This is a penitentiary offense and is a risk not worth taking. As stated before, goods obtained on a lease belong to the owner of the goods until they have been fully paid for and until that time, an enormous risk is taken in undertaking to ship goods out of a city, under an assumed name or otherwise, or to move them to another part of the city or into another house without first obtaining the consent of the person who owns the lease or goods, providing such terms are in the lease.

For their own protection, dealers all over the country are forming into associations; first into state associations, the state associations into a national associaion, and it is becoming easier daily to locate the dishonest buyer. Even if a buyer moves across the continent, some dealer in the locality to which he goes will be notified through their association, and the person is usually found.

Eliminating and Discriminating — The order of things in the mercantile world seems to be that the poor man pays the long price for everything, while the man with the money in hand buys at the short price. Why should a man who has to labor hard for his money pay more for an article than the man who is not so unfortunate as to need accommodation on a purchase? This in a sense is true, and yet almost all stores cater to the public and not to a certain element. As buying is a process of eliminating as well as discriminating, there is no reason why any man should not go into the very best stores in the city. It is the buyer's own fault if he pays a high price for inferior goods, for if he familiarizes himself with the market, he will no doubt learn that he can buy a superior quality at this same price. Inferior goods deceive, in as much as they are made more for appearance than for practical use.

Leaders or Specials — The advertising of "leaders" or "specials" is a great modern method of getting business. Those leaders in most cases are advertised solely to attract attention. Go into a store and try to buy several of the advertised specials and nothing else, and see what success you have. Usually no leaders are sold if the buyer can be persuaded to take something on which a more substantial profit is made.

Terms Should Be a Secondary Consideration — Some dealers advertise to furnish four rooms for, say $87, or five rooms for $99. This can be done, but the goods will not last any length of time, and will not justify the investment. It is the buyers of such furniture who seem to overlook the quality and allow "terms" alone to influence them, who help to make such stores thrive.

Better to Buy Where Acquainted — For some reason young people seem to be somewhat embarrassed when looking for furniture, and often prefer to buy of strangers instead of merchants whom they know. On the other hand most salesmen would rather wait upon 2 a total stranger than on a friend or acquaintance. Usually the purchaser doesn't feel as much obligation and asks more attention from a stranger than if the salesman is known. Again some people dislike the idea of having their friends know that they are obliged to buy on credit (when necessary), and consequently go to a stranger. This is false pride and serves to increase rather than to limit the knowledge of their financial standing. In most cases when credit is asked by a buyer, his rating is investigated and he is advertised, confidentially, among the other credit houses as seeking credit. This is about the only way that merchants have of protecting themselves.