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There are, in the United States and Canada,hundreds of concerns who obtain their revenuealmost exclusively by means of transacting businessthrough the mails. In addition to these,many regular city retailers have of late openeddepartments for mail order trade.

The habit of purchasing by mail is rapidly assumingenormous proportions in this country,and the custom has been catered to, in such amanner, that the ranchman on the plains maywear a latest style metropolitan custom-madesuit, while his daughters may equip herself a laFifth Avenue—all by inspection of a catalogue, apostal money order and a letter.

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These facilities have been brought about by thegeneral march of improvement, and, perhaps,more particularly on account of the greatly improvedpostal system. Almost every intelligent[3]person has had more or less experience in buyingthrough the mails, but the object of this littlebook is to show how a small business can be profitablyconducted for this purpose.

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One of the most essential things to start with isan attractive article or line of goods. Shall it bein the nature of a staple or a novelty? The difficultyin handling staple goods in a small way isthe lack of profit.

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Staple goods are handled by retailers everywhere,and, people will not readily send away forthat which they can procure at home. Of course,there is always more or less mail trade onspecialties in the line of staples, such as PlymouthRock Pants, Douglas’ Shoes, etc., but eventhen, manufacturers tell me that there is no profitin the mail orders, they are handled merely forthe sake of augmenting regular trade by makingthe goods popular.

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

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