Credit and the Credit Man (Volume 8)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1917. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... no monthly statements be sent. His (or her) wishes are promptly complied with. Others--and their number is much larger--do not wish to be called upon by the store's collector. Again, the customer's wishes are respected. Still others do not wish to be reminded of their indebtedness oftener than once, or at most twice, a year. If the customer is believed to be financially responsible beyond a doubt, this concession too is readily granted. It is somewhat surprising to learn that despite this apparent laxity in collection methods, the actual losses from unpaid debts that are finally written off to profit and loss, represent only a very small percentage of the total volume of yearly sales. But the indirect losses caused by customers who disregard payment terms, who pay only "when they get ready" and who thus tie up part of the merchant's capital for months and sometimes even for years, are unquestionably very large. Such habits of the customer are in a great majority of cases simply the result of indifference and in no wise caused by inability to pay, but this does not mitigate the economic result. 3. Importance of correct initial attitude.--Tardiness in payment is often induced by the credit man's own attitude at the time when the account is opened. If he asks merely perfunctory questions and makes no reference to a credit limit, as is often the case, tho a limit is always put upon the account in the books, the customer carries away the impression that the house has no anxiety whatever about payments, and promptly adjusts himself to this attitude. Under these circumstances a good share of the blame for subsequent tardiness or delinquency must be placed on the credit department of the store. Frequently, however, the question of the amount of credit desired is in some...