WATKINS, Provider, NEWPORT.
In presenting this our 157th Edition to an intelligent and discerning world, we heartily thank the thousands of our customers who has sent us grateful Testimonials from all parts of the universe on receiving goods ordered from us, wishing they had bought from us before instead of sending their money to Swindling Advertisers and getting quite different goods to what was ordered and very inferior to what they Illustrate in their Lists. In fact, these Humbugs do not stock the goods they pretend they do, but wait for your money to come and then they send you goods you did not order and do not want and what you will never be able to sell.
If you wish to succeed in business to-day you must keep a large variety of Goods (see our Lists) that will sell on sight, being absolutely needful and useful; not a lot of trumpery Jewellery, Clocks, Rings, etc., that will not sell and which you could hardly give away. You should never buy a business from anyone. Watch the growing suburbs of any Town, pick out a shop on the side most frequented by the people (a corner shop if possible) and start with a good selection of useful goods, with bright clean windows and all your goods well marked up in Plain Figures. If you have a situation keep it and allow your wife to manage the business until it is established. If you wish to make the business pay from the beginning, we strongly advise you to go in for a little Picture Frame making from which you can easily make a profit of a few pounds per week in addition to looking after the shop. Our grand Coloured Illustrated Moulding Lists will be sent you free of charge. If you want to learn the Frame Making send 8d. in Stamps for our Illustrated Pamphlet (How to Frame Pictures).
Fortunes are now being made in Trade more rapidly than in any other way or profession, but start soon. Select from our List what you think you can sell and order in any quantity you want, never mind the trouble as we wish you to succeed, and you can pay cash on Receipt of Invoice, or to save any delay send cash with order, and goods will be sent same day. Always be polite and obliging to your customers, and let them see that you value their custom and they will come again, and very likely speak well of you to their friends. Remember, "Yes, Sir," "No, Ma'am," "Thank you, Miss," cost you nothing, and people like to be made much of. If you are thinking of a business always keep your eyes open and act promptly and take advantage of new and growing districts where there is always a good opening for pushing people, but do not put it off until you see somebody taking the very place you have been thinking of, and open in the very business you thought about.
Our Bankers are the London and Provincial Bank, Newport, Mon., and we recommend all money to be sent by Post Office Order, or Registered Letters, made -payable to William Watkins, Provider, Newport, Mon. If Postal Orders are sent, they should in all cases be filled up before being sent, although during the last 28½ years we have never failed to receive any cash or orders sent to us by post.