10. Since the shipper is generally held responsible for 

 the condition of the merchandise on arrival at desti- 

 nation, care in shipping will save claims and a 

 disappointed customer. 



MARKET CCSMUniCATIONS 



TSxe prlmaxy and basic characteristic of shrlaqp marketing is 

 flexibility. To cope with the vagaries of the market for a highly 

 perishable product, sellers oust be able to shift quickly froB one 

 outlet to anotixer. Therefore the maintenance of a regular flow of 

 coaoBunlcatlons between market and producer is of great lurportance. 



The use of the telephone has become virtually indispensable 

 for the marketing process; nearly all buying and selling of shrlsrp Is 

 done by this meems. 



Characteristic of the marketing structure of the Industry Is 

 the total lack of written contractual agreements. Sales are negotiated 

 and closed by telephone, and the good faith of buyer and seller is 

 relied upon for performance. Because of the eisphasls placed on good 

 faith. It Is to the credit of those engaged In the buying and selling 

 of shrimp that this system has succeeded so well. Ml stinder standings 

 and cooiplalnts do occur on occasions . Such ccnplalnts are heard more 

 often in the fresh market idiere more latitude may be used In describ- 

 ing the product over the telephone than is used In the frozen or 

 canned shrimp market. 



Appendix 6 of this chapter contains a brief sxsmnary of 

 sources of Infoxmatlon on the shrliap Industry currently published 



by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, 



85 



