Quantity Discounts
So how much did a tray cost you back in 1903? Well, if you bought one hundred, they were 25 cents apiece - 5 cents apiece if you sprung for a thousand. Can you imagine a shipment of one thousand trays showing up on your dock? Some trays were a bit pricier than others when you bought smaller quantities, but fairly consistent across.
And if you were wondering if they sold many of these trays? Page 44 of the catalog will set that question to rest quick, as they brag that they have produced and sold over two-hundred and fifty thousand of Tea Tray No.1.
It becomes a bit clearer why so many of these trays can still be found today despite their propensity to get damaged if used and or how many may have been donated to the metal drives of World War II.
This page also helps explain why none-printed stock trays are pretty common, as it you could get a sample for only 30 cents to allow you to take a look before purchasing.
So how much did a tray cost you back in 1903? Well, if you bought one hundred, they were 25 cents apiece - 5 cents apiece if you sprung for a thousand. Can you imagine a shipment of one thousand trays showing up on your dock? Some trays were a bit pricier than others when you bought smaller quantities, but fairly consistent across.
And if you were wondering if they sold many of these trays? Page 44 of the catalog will set that question to rest quick, as they brag that they have produced and sold over two-hundred and fifty thousand of Tea Tray No.1.
It becomes a bit clearer why so many of these trays can still be found today despite their propensity to get damaged if used and or how many may have been donated to the metal drives of World War II.
This page also helps explain why none-printed stock trays are pretty common, as it you could get a sample for only 30 cents to allow you to take a look before purchasing.
Establishing Brand Loyalty
Many of us no doubt thought these trays were just used as serving trays, or perhaps colorful point of purchase displays, or maybe even prizes given to favorite bar owners as gifts, as they sold a brewers beer. All true most likely, but this page from the 1903 The Meek & Beach Novelty department shows us there was even more going on with these beauties.
Not only were they focused on product brand loyalty, but they were also trying to help shops and business establish shop or business brand loyalty to keep their customers coming back.
The plan was to entice customers to continue to purchase items in their store and get re-peat brand or at a minimum store alligence, much like grocery store and S&H Green Stamp types of give-a-ways that were common in the 60's and 70's. $10 spent in the store and you would get a tray by cashing in your "Tea Tray Checks."
You have to love the detailed explanation of how you can make this approach work for you. Wouldn't it be great to find one of these "Tea Tray Checks!?"
Many of us no doubt thought these trays were just used as serving trays, or perhaps colorful point of purchase displays, or maybe even prizes given to favorite bar owners as gifts, as they sold a brewers beer. All true most likely, but this page from the 1903 The Meek & Beach Novelty department shows us there was even more going on with these beauties.
Not only were they focused on product brand loyalty, but they were also trying to help shops and business establish shop or business brand loyalty to keep their customers coming back.
The plan was to entice customers to continue to purchase items in their store and get re-peat brand or at a minimum store alligence, much like grocery store and S&H Green Stamp types of give-a-ways that were common in the 60's and 70's. $10 spent in the store and you would get a tray by cashing in your "Tea Tray Checks."
You have to love the detailed explanation of how you can make this approach work for you. Wouldn't it be great to find one of these "Tea Tray Checks!?"
The 'Stock' Exchange
The 1903 Meek & Beach Co. Novelty Department Catalog
The 1903 Meek & Beach Co. Novelty Department Catalog
Meek & Beach Co. Novelty Department - Catalog No. 12 Coshocton, OH 1903
Speaking of S&H Green Stamps, can you imagine our excitement when these great tip trays showed up on a Facebook Group post! Thank you California Antique Bottle Group and their openness to having a Tray Day every once and a while....