The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 23 dozen new dealers whose enthusiasm oozes out as soon as their initial order has been sold. "Mind, I am not discouraging the signing of new dealers, but more judgment should be used in establishing them, and they should be visited as soon as possible by a representative of the company, who should spend a day, or even two days, with him, to see that he gets started on the right road, and that he keeps in it. Nothing encourages the dealer so much as to feel that the company is interested in his success. I hope that the National Phonograph Co. will instruct their salesmen during 1908 to get off of the beaten tracks and make it a pointto call on all the new ' dealers and the little fellows and give them a helping hand. The big fellows can take care of themselves for awhile. Many dealers do not appreciate the value Of the Edison Phonograph Monthly. This little monthly should be watched for and read religiously each month by all dealers. In closing this I suppose it would be unfair not to mention The Talking Machine World, and to say that it ought to be subscribed for by every dealer in the country." C. W. NOYES. C. W. Noyes, secretary and western representative, Hawthorne-Sheble Manufacturing Co., said: "The talking machine business is now on a very solid footing and may be loolted upon as a staple business, and one that is not dependent upon the faddist for its support. Many years ago, to be explicit — ^about the year 1903 — the business was looked upon as one that belonged to the class of business men known as 'fakirs'; in fact, at that time it was worth a man's reputation to say: 'I am in the talking machine business.' If he was bold enough to say so he was at once looked upon as some sort of a 'faker' or catch^penny man. "This was during the days when the talking machine was only used as a means of picking up the nickels in some public place. I well remember the first machine that was built, which was supposed to be particularly adapted to home entertainment. At this time I was connected with a concern having phonograpli parlors in several large cities, and when this particular Instrument of which I speak was announced the president of this company visited me in Chicago, and I will never forget his criticisms of the machine and his dire prophesies as to the future of the business. According to his ideas the business was ruined, for 'who would drop a nickel in the slot to hear a talking machine when he could have THE ORIGINAL WESTERN EXCLUSIVE TALKING MACHINE JOBBER Edison Phonographs Zonophones Records Cabinets PHONOGRAPH OIL WIRE RACKS FOR DISC AND CYLINDER RECORDS «« Tl 7 IX " All-Metal Horn Connec * M. x\on for Cylinder Machines NONMETALLIC NEEDLES Enrich and Sweeten Tone Try Them SPRINGS. HORNS. SUPPLIES 192-194 Van Buren Street, CHICAGO one of these cheap machines in his home.' While this party was exceptionally shrewd and as smart a business man as one would care to meet, at the same time he could not see that the cheap machine would possibly develop a business for many thousands of dealers and jobbers all over the world. This proved to be the case, and although there was never a mechanical instrument placed on the market that cost so much to popularize it, at the same time there was never so popular an instrument after it became popularized. The very people who were the greatest enemies of the talking machine, notably 'the music dealers,' are now its best friends and making money from its constantly increasing sale. "The development of the business during the past few years has been unprecedented in the history of commerce. This is largely due to the wise heads who have been in control of the manufacture of the machine and records, and to them must be given all the credit. An absolute price maintenance and good business methods have tended to place the business in a position where it is looked up to and admired by all. "During the past year the writer has visited all of the important jobbers of talking machines from Pittsburg to San Francisco, and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, and he can truthfully say not a single one has complained of the line in a business way. Many of these jobbers were exclusively talking machine jobbers, with no side lines to depend upon and were absolutely dependent upon the sale of machines and records and accessories for their support, and as I say not one has complained of a losing ' business. "Take any other article of manufacture, and where can you find such a record. The furniture man is handling a necessity rather than a luxury, and how often do we find one selling out to get out of the business. Now, such is not the case with talking machine dealers or jobbers. "We never hear of a forced sale of talking machines, nor do we ever see the front of the building placarded with huge signs announcing the fact that the concern is forced to sell below manufacturer's cost to close out the stock. This must mean that the business is at least prosperous. During the past year much has been done to raise the standard of the business, and this has been accomplished by the advent of high-price instruments and high-price records. There is no reason why a dealer cannot get as much money for a talking machine as he gets for a piano; the talking machine does more for the entertainment of the household than the piano, and it is only a question of a handsome cabinet and elegant equipment and the talking machine will bring the price. As a matter of fact, many people buy pianos, not for their value as a musical instrument, but for the reason that they make a handsome pi§pe of furniture in their homes, and they are not to be outdone by their neighbors and friends who have them. "I think I can see a great future for the business in all of its lines, and while I would not say the business is still in the infant class, at the same time I do not think it has reached the Osier stage as yet." B. FEINBERG. B. Feinberg, of the Western Talking Machine and Supply Co., said: "While some people in the trade seem a trifle doubtful as to the outlook, in the talking machine lines, so far as immediate business is concerned, I will say that although it has not been very rosy during the past few months, I do believe that business will pick up very shortly, as the money flurry ends. While there was not as good a holiday business this year as last, I think, under the circumstances, that the showing has been fairly satisfactory. After conversing with several of the leading talking machine jobbers in the United States, I found that there seems to be a tendency to add on other lines, such as novelties. Talking machines will, of course, be their mainstay, but owing to the fact that the talking machine territory is so well covered it will be absolutely necessary for exclusive talking machine jobbers to take on other lines of business in The 72 Wabash Avenue Chicago Exclusive Wholesalers of Victor Goods Allen Fibre Horns Imitation Wood Fibre Horns Special Flower Horns Collapsible Horns Record Cabinets Exhibition Needles Petmecky Needles Mello-Tone Attachments Place Record Brushes Special Dealers Record Racks Carrying Cases Graphitoleo Many Use Oil 3-in-l Oil Thompson Modifier Circulars and descriptions of any of the above goods sent on application Exclusive Wholesalers