Don’t make the mistake of selecting a variety of goods for your display. Confine it to one line as much as possible, and when that is impossible confine it to kindred lines. You don’t need so very many goods if you know how to display them. Some of the best windows I ever saw contained very few goods; but, bear in mind, every piece stood out as distinctly as a wart on a man’s nose. At the same time a well-filled, or “stocky” window, as it is called, frequently is quite as effective as any, and a reputation for carrying a full stock is a desirable thing for any merchant. Unto them that have goods shall be given trade. You can’t sell what you haven’t got.
ROBBING WINDOWS.
Frequently a merchant finds his stock so reduced that the only size, color or style of a certain article remaining is that displayed in his window trim. When you have a call for such an article do not rob your window display, but take the customer’s name and address and agree to send the article C. O. D. when you change your window.
This method has been adopted by all the large stores, and has proven very satisfactory. The effectiveness of your window remains unimpaired, and usually a customer is willing to wait in order to secure the desired article. In rare instances, when there is danger of a good sale being lost, this rule may be abrogated, and the article taken from the display; but if it is understood by your patrons that no goods will be removed from your windows until the trim is changed, they will readily see the advisability of such action, and be willing, in most cases, to wait a reasonable length of time.
WINDOW TRIMMERS’ ROOM.
Every window trimmer should have a fair sized room for the sole purpose of keeping his fixtures, wax figures, a work bench, etc. It should have plenty of light, with one portion set aside for ticket writing; a place with a door to keep out the dust, in which to keep his cardboard, cut in the desired sizes for his use; a place to keep wax figures when they are not in the windows (dust proof stalls, large enough for each figure, are best); a sign in the room to read, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Keep your room locked and carry the key in your pocket.
TOOLS.
A proper outfit or kit of tools is a necessity. For carpenter work, such as building your own framework, you will require cross-cut and rip saws, chisels, screwdrivers, awls and a hammer. Don’t attempt to make very fine joints; it is unnecessary, since the frame will all be covered. But be sure your work is substantial and will not pull apart. In order to preserve your lumber for future use and to obtain strength in your structure, use screws wherever possible, first boring a hole with a small bit, or, if the material is thin, using an awl to make the holes for your screws. In your tool box have partitions for all sizes of screws, nails and tacks, and keep each size separate.
For upholstery work, such as pleating, puffing, draping and covering the frame with cloth, you will need a large pair of shears and an upholsterer’s hammer, which has a long, extended head. Also provide yourself with a small pincushion, 3 or 4 inches square, and put a loop of tape on opposite corners. These loops can be placed over two buttons of your vest, to hold it firmly in place, or you can pin the cushion by the loops to any part of your person. Don’t loan your tools to anyone. Keep them locked up in your tool box. Carry the box into the window with you, for then you have everything at hand you will be likely to need. Keep a supply of screw eyes and hooks, wire and cord in your box, for you will often need them. Tools for electrical work will be explained in the chapter on electrical designs.