University of South Carolina Libraries
J. D. Collins, of Laurens, S. C., has conceived the idea that the ideal form of advertising would be one which would give at least the greater part of the enormous sums spent in various forms of advertising directly to the consumers, to the customers. Working upon this idea, he has actually at tained this worthy ideal. Mr. Collins realized, however, that any such plan would certainly sound specious to the naturally skeptical pub lic; and that consequently (as well as because of perhaps too much enthusiastic expectations on the part of some) a possible reaction might harmfully affect the growing confidence being place in the (People’s Hive) J. D. Collins’ Store, in Laurens. For this reason, he quietly put the idea into practice, and has allowed it enough time to de monstrate to the most regular of his customers-, its practical and mutual benefits, to his custom ers, and, therefore, to his already thriving busi ness in Laurens. Mr. Collins, therefore feels justified in an- nouncing this novel means of effective adver tising to the public at large; thus soliciting their trade (in spite of the fact tha his available space is hardly enough even now to accomodate the growing crowds congregating at the J. D. Col lins Store, alias, People’s Hive, Laurens, S. C.) THE J. D. COLLINS STORE PLAN IS SIM PLE, AND AS FOLLOWS: A wheel is provided which is turned for each purchase. No matter how small or how large one’s pur chase is, he or she has a number upon which if ' the wheel stops, the said customer pays abso lutely NOTHING for his or her purchase. Not only are the lucky ones thus provided for: Because some people complain of always being unlucky, provision is made that if they are un luck enough to miss their number as far as pos sible, they are then given their purchase for exactly HALF PRICE—for being unlucky! (Now, by “half price”, Mr. Collins explains that this means HALF of a price that is euaranteed to be ALREADY LESS than the same article could be bought for, ANYWHERE ELSE-and the way the jguarantee is lived up to is by re funding the price, giving the money back, to any dissatisfied customer.) Also: If the wheel stops at unlucky No. 13, every customer obtains his or her purchase at HALF PRICE, for being unlucky! - • Also: If the wheel stops on the Horse Shoe, every customer obtains his or Her purchase ABSOLUTELY FREE! And: If one misses the Horse Shoe as far as possible, he or she obtains the purchase at HALF PRICE—again for being unlucky! Now, Mr. Collins explains, for the sake of the overly-scrupulous, that the plan cannot be tainted with the name or idea of “gambling,” by any except the ignorant (observation has actually PROVED this); because - Mr. Noah Webster, himself, asserts that “gambling is risk ing something for the chance of gaining some thing for nothing, or relatively nothing.” Of course, even the ignorant can see that they are not paying and risking anything for this chance; and a little thought will make plain that even the J. D. Collins Store (People’s •Hive), is ndt risking anything, BECAUSE THE LAW OF AVERAGES will fix a CERTAIN DEFINITE PERCENTAGE of the sales of the store to be given' away—in the long run. It is simply a means of advertis ing, whereby the customers get the greater part of what the J. D. Collins Store (People’s Hive), has allotted to its advertising expense (instead of its going to newspapers, signs, and other means of advertising). The wheel merely fur nishes an absolutely impartial choice of WHICH customers share in this gift, made for the mu tual benefit of the customers and this store. Beginning next week, this paper will list, in conspicuously and without ostentation, an itemized statement of what is being given away, weekly, by the J. D. Collins Store (People’s Hive), Laurens, S. C. This statement will al ways appear on page two. GUARANTEED rJE VALUES “FOLLOW THE CROWDS” LAURENS, S. C. LAURENS, S. C LAURENS, S. C. Everything from Toothpicks and Notions,-to Blankets, Shoes, Dry Goods, and Ready-to-Wear; Shirts, Suits, Dresses and Cloaks, Etc. >2 *, t: . .