Part 1

Transcriber’s Notes:

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (italics).

Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end.

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PRICE 5 CENTS.

HOW TO CONDUCT A SMALL MAIL ORDER BUSINESS.

HINTS AND HELPS BY W. E. SKINNER.

MULTUM IN PARVO LIBRARY.

Entered at Boston Post Office as second class matter. Published by A. B. Courtney, Room 74, 45 Milk Street, Boston.

Vol. 3. MARCH, 1896. Published Monthly. No. 27

Subscription Price, 50 Cents Per Year.

HINTS ON CONDUCTING --A SMALL-- MAIL ORDER BUSINESS.

There are, in the United States and Canada, hundreds of concerns who obtain their revenue almost exclusively by means of transacting business through the mails. In addition to these, many regular city retailers have of late opened departments for mail order trade.

The habit of purchasing by mail is rapidly assuming enormous proportions in this country, and the custom has been catered to, in such a manner, that the ranchman on the plains may wear a latest style metropolitan custom-made suit, while his daughters may equip herself a la Fifth Avenue--all by inspection of a catalogue, a postal money order and a letter.

Good Postal System.

These facilities have been brought about by the general march of improvement, and, perhaps, more particularly on account of the greatly improved postal system. Almost every intelligent person has had more or less experience in buying through the mails, but the object of this little book is to show how a small business can be profitably conducted for this purpose.

Start Right.

One of the most essential things to start with is an attractive article or line of goods. Shall it be in the nature of a staple or a novelty? The difficulty in handling staple goods in a small way is the lack of profit.

Staple Goods.

Staple goods are handled by retailers everywhere, and, people will not readily send away for that which they can procure at home. Of course, there is always more or less mail trade on specialties in the line of staples, such as Plymouth Rock Pants, Douglas’ Shoes, etc., but even then, manufacturers tell me that there is no profit in the mail orders, they are handled merely for the sake of augmenting regular trade by making the goods popular.

Perhaps I might make an exception in the staple list of watches, silverware and jewelry. These are good mail order sellers.

Numerous Novelties.

In the line of novelties, there are hundreds of things such as books, toys, games, photographs, perfumery, etc.

Small toys, not easily broken, and of light weight when packed, sell in immense quantities if advertised in November and December. Of course, the advertisement must be properly arranged, good journals used, and the price of the toy should be small.

“Frozen Perfumery.”

Millions of perfumed cakes of Plaster-Paris, put in small ornamented tin boxes, have been sold during the past ten years. These goods cost about 4 cents each, can be sold at ten cents, give satisfaction if well made and can be mailed at a cost of a cent each for postage, which will admit of the “wonder stone” being wrapped in a quantity of advertising circulars.

One or two ingenious advertisers put up packages of sachet powder and sell them as “Love Powders.” They are said to enable the recipient to “gain and maintain the love of another.”

Several Saleable Specialties.