ENGLISH vs. AMERICAN FILES.* 



REPORT BY CONSUL MERR1AM, OF IQUIQUE, CHILL 



There is no demand for American files in this district, for the reason 

 that dealers find that they can buy files from Sheffield much cheaper. 

 So considerable is the difference in price, as may be seen from the ac- 

 companying comparative table, that one is inclined to believe that the 

 question of quality may be an important factor in favor of the Ameri- 

 can article. 



This point, however, can not now be determined here, as there is not 

 an American file in the market to enable me to make the coinparision. 



Still, one thing is certain. While as a rule, speaking of merchandise 

 in general, first-class articles are in demand, and are sold at remunera- 

 tive prices, in some lines of goods, as files, for instance, people have be- 

 come accustomed to pay a certain price for them, and will not pay a 

 higher price for a similar article, which may be better, while the inferior 

 can be obtained. 



The only way for the American manufacturer to compete with the 

 English in the sale of files in this district, is to furnish them to the deal- 

 ers here at the English prices, even though at the outset they may gain 

 nothing, or even suffer a small loss. If the American file is really su 

 perior to the Sheffield article people will soon find it out and will readily 

 pay a higher price, once accustomed to its use and convinced of its su- 

 periority. 



The accompanying table shows the comparative prices in Troy, 1ST. Y., 

 and Sheffield, England. On the prices in the Sheffield list, there is at 

 present in this market a discount of 60 and 5 per cent. The duty on 

 all classes of files is 15 cents on 30 cents the kilogram, payable in silver 

 with the surcharge corresponding to the rate of exchange from month 

 to month. 



J. W. MERRIAM, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Iquique, December 29, 1889. 



* Constant reference to Sheffield file prices are made throughout these reports. 

 Consul Merriam, however, was the only consul who forwarded a Sheffield price-list. 

 For this reason (for ready reference), as well as for his table comparing American and 

 Sheffield prices, Consul Merriam's report is inserted first in the series. 



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