COST OF MARKETING DAIRY PRODUCTS 257 



III. Cost of Re-icing. The system of re-icing ice cream for 

 the retail dealers was started by some of the larger manufac- 

 turers about 1904. The object was to systematize thoroughly 

 the method of delivery. A wagon loaded with ice cream, 

 crushed ice, and salt would call at the dealers once or twice 

 daily, delivering ice cream and re-icing cream which was still 

 on hand at the retailer's store. The arguments in favor of this 

 system were, first, the customers would take a larger quantity of 

 ice cream at a time, and as a result special deliveries would be 

 eliminated; second, it would tend to create greater satisfaction 

 among the retail dealers, as they would not have to sustain any 

 loss due to melted ice cream, and to them there was no expense 

 for re-icing. These advantages were soon lost sight of when 

 comparing them with the numerous disadvantages to the 

 manufacturer. First, the retail dealers were willing that the 

 manufacturers should re-ice their cream, but they also de- 

 manded that they furnish them with an ice cream cabinet large 

 enough so they could take care of a greater quantity of ice cream 

 the manufacturers complied with their request; second, 

 some of the smaller dealers would not take ice cream each time 

 when the delivery wagon appeared, but they were always ready 

 to have their ice cream re-iced; the manufacturer had to treat 

 the small dealer the same as the larger dealers. Third, the cost 

 of such a delivery was greatly increased, as it required a heavy 

 team and two men to do the same amount of delivering as was 

 formerly done by a light one-horse delivery and one man. 

 There are places where re-icing may be done to advantage. 

 It has been the general experience, however, that it is a system 

 which is better not introduced unless extra charges are made. 

 It was found by most who tried it that such a business did not 

 return a very satisfactory profit. Some have perhaps correctly 

 considered that this system has resulted in discrimination 

 against the larger purchasers. This is true, inasmuch as the 

 manufacturer operating on this system is often spending on the 

 purchaser of smaller quantities the profit which he makes from 

 the heavier purchaser. This objection does not hold true, how- 

 ever, if the manufacturer charges extra for re-icing. 



