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Merchandise Class
Years ago when I was managing a department store in Ontario, California, it was my pleasure a couple of times a year to be a guest speaker for the merchandise class at Chaffey College in Alta Loma.
One of the questions that I liked to ask the students was "What is the most important thing to look for in selecting a garment to buy?" Invariably, most students would answer price. My reply would be "What good is a low price if the item does not fit?" Obviously, size is the Number One prerequisite. Quality is Number Two, style is three, and then price.
It is not easy to get good quality at the lowest price. Something has to give such as quality of fabric, stitches to the inch, pockets, tails, buttons, or zippers.
Department stores can give you good quality for a higher price. Big box stores can give you price by cutting on some of the aforementioned items. Good quality at a fair price is where specialty shops such as Crystal's come in. Crystal searches the market for manufacturers that can give us the quality that we insist on and the prices that you demand. Crystal's garments are made to last more than a few seasons but still not break the bank.
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Note from Crystal:
Dad is being very modest. He was one of the most popular speakers in Elwood Chapman's Merchandise class. I was in high school at the time, and my merchandise class teacher, Mrs. Coppo, at Montclair High School asked Mr. Chapman for advise on bringing a speaker to our class. I remember her saying to me, "How come you didn't tell me who you are?" Yes, Dad was a celebrity in our town. Not only as a business man, but Chairman of the Planning Commission, President of the Chamber of Commerce ... and at one time even the "Young Man of the Year" for the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He is still "man of the year" to my Mother, brother, and I.