“How can I buy best?” is a question that agitates more than one mind in the commercial world, and one that very seldom is solved to the perfect satisfaction of the querist. I propose to go into some of the phenomena of the art of buying in this issue and, if possible, portray some of the obstacles in the way of the non-successful purchaser. There are two prominent classes of successful buyers, which are subdivided into many, but I intend to treat of these two only at this time, first among these, and the most favoured is the one who has intimate knowledge of that which he intends to buy, and who is thoroughly informed as to the best goods to purchase; the prices; where they are from, etc. The second best buyer is he who makes a great plunge among those from whom he intends purchasing and endeavours to impress them with his importance as a buyer, and his pretended knowledge of the subject on hand. This last fellow is styled the bulldozer. As to which one of these two classes of persons buy the closest and best there can be no dispute, the person of knowledge is free and unfettered because he is on an equal or superior footing to him from whom he intends buying, inasmuch as his information gives him the necessary leverage. The second is in the power of the seller because if a misstatement of fact is made, the purchaser is at a disadvantage in not knowing whether it is fact or not, and he has to rely upon his powers of depreciation and arraignment of the goods to carry him to success.

I remember once being in a merchant’s store and his tactics and manners on that occasion created the impression, which has lasted up to the present time, that he was the best buyer, or at least one of the best, I ever met. I will tell you what he did and you can then see for yourself. I walked in and awaited my turn; as soon as he was at leisure he came to me, and telling me his name, asked me if I wished to see him personally. I answered him I wished his attention, and told him my business. He said he was exceedingly busy and would like me to call again. I specially requested his time for a short space, and he gave me five minutes. I pulled out my watch and taking it off the chain laid it upon the counter, open. I commenced to tell him about my goods, and as fast as I could, dealt out the points respecting them. As the minute hand crossed the point, and my time expired, I was in the middle of a sentence, but I stopped abruptly and informed him “time was up.” He said he was sorry he could not grant me a longer interview as he had an engagement “but” said he, “I am interested in the information you have imparted, and I want you to come and see me when I have time to listen.” I promised I would, and did so. I went into all the details. I gave him all the knowledge I had amassed by months of study of that one object, and when I left him it was with a feeling of satisfaction that I had been partly repaid for my labour in informing myself of the subject, and that man at least knew enough to buy of that commodity intelligently.

The great difficulty in the way of most merchants becoming good buyers is because they are not satisfied to expend from three to five minutes with a salesman when he comes into their stores in finding out his prices, goods, etc., so that when the next one comes along if his prices are below he can take advantage of it, but at any rate, I would suggest the following to all merchants: Treat the salesman coming to your store with courtesy, politeness, and consideration, and you may be sure you will receive in return information that will repay you for the expenditure. I am sorry to say a great many business men forget that a compliment to their credit is paid to them when a man enters their stores to solicit their trade. Then remember the “goods well bought are half sold.”—[Review.