Miscellaneous Series Volume 89 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ...the price at first fixed is subject to reduction by shrewd bargaining. Travelers who have to use pack trains will find it advantageous to telegraph ahead before undertaking a journey along roads over which there is not much trading, else they may not succeed in finding pack trains at ail points. Packing.--Pay strict attention to instructions of merchants and transmit them carefully to the home office. Take pains to explain why it is necessary to make small, strong packages, as light as possible, consistent with mule-back transportation, which obtains in so many places. If customers are located in Cartagena or Barranquilla-they may still wish the goods packed in bales, as they transact business with the interior. Terms.--Have the question of terms fully understood. If goods are sold with documents attached to drafts which must be paid or accepted before goods are released, the customer living in the interior will suffer, since it often takes from two or three weeks for the transmission of mail from the coast to the interior. In the meantime the goods may have arrived at the port. No "to order" shipments are allowed in Colombia. Merchandise thus shipped is liable to seizure. Hotel Rates.--In the larger cities, such as Barranquilla, Cartagena, Medellin, and Bogota, the best hotels (American plan) charge from $2.25 to $5 per day, American gold. The rates at second-class hotels are somewhat less. In the smaller towns accommodations can be had for $1.50 to $2.50 per day, American gold. They are necessarily inferior. In Bogota one can obtain rates on the European plan also, as there are good restaurants. Generally speaking, the American plan is most acceptable to the majority of travelers. Sales Agencies.--In order to cover Colombia properly, the territo...