CUSTOMERS’ INTERESTS 427 
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number of hands through which the product has passed; cost of 
production; and cost of handling, which varies with the market 
and manner of fitting for market. 
Supply—tIn many ways the supply of poultry products in 
various markets is affected by the following: Quality; the higher 
the quality the less the supply; variations in amount of products, 
such as eggs, being produced in great numbers, while with capons 
and turkeys, for example, the production is very limited. The 
source of supply very often affects the amount of a given product 
in certain markets according to the distance from place of pro- 
duction and size of producing plant. The amount of capital in- 
vested in production and distribution affects the total supply, 
especially during seasons of limited output. The extent to which 
business is carried on in a community determines largely the 
available supply of products handled. 
Accessibility—This is one of the chief factors from the con- 
sumer’s standpoint, for if large quantities of first-class products 
are in the vicinity, yet not readily accessible, they are of no value. 
Distance from point of consumption, proximity of reserve sup- 
plies, telephone and railroad connections, mail facilities,—all 
play an important part in bringing producer, middle man, and 
consumer closer together. 
Systematic Delivery—The customer desires regular and sys- 
tematic supply, whether it be eggs or dressed poultry, and this 
supply is affected by the location of the distributing point, 
express rates, method and regularity of final delivery to cus- 
tomer. The exact method of delivery varies according to the 
customer. 
Responsibility of Salesman.—The ultimate seller has the re- 
sponsibility of delivering goods to the consumer that will be 
satisfactory and thus keep up the demand for these goods. His 
ability to please the customer will depend largely on his distance 
from the consumer, his business methods, care in filling orders, 
financial standing, acquaintance with customers, and amount of 
business handled. 
The consumer is a valuable partner in a profitable poultry 
trade, and the salesman who caters to the interests of the con- 
sumer will not only increase the demand for his products, but can 
demand—and will be gladly paid by the customer—a price so 
much higher that it will more than cover the time and expense 
involved. 
