The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

Metropolitan Trade Activities Wholesale Radio-Music Trade Declares 1927 Sales Volume Was Satisfactory {Continued from page 84; tributors. I think that for standard lines, ably distributed, 1928 will be a banner year, as the introduction of electric sets has crystallized buying and taken most of the guess and service trouble out of radio. Hermann Krug, Clark & Tilson, Inc. We have enjoyed exceptionally good business since the first of the year, throughout the Summer and up to October 1. At that time we expected a brisk Fall business and from all appearances it now appears to be an offyear in radio. We believe that the condition is due to the fact that the public is skeptical of the new A. C. equipment and many people are holding back purchasing until they find out how A. C. equipment is standing up. We had a similar experience when "B" battery eliminators were put on the market and we found that the following year more than made up for the poor business of that previous season. Our business is still mostly in nationally advertised parts, although we carry some accessories such as speakers, A and B battery eliminators, tubes, etc. However, we believe that we will add to our line a new set, possibly A. C. operated, as we believe that they will be perfected by next Fall. Edward Biel, Progressive Musical Instrument Corp. Nineteen hundred and twenty-eight promises to be a year of elimination — elimination of many of the manufacturers, jobbers and dealers in the metropolitan area, due to the fact that the field is narrowing down to only quality merchandise, honest and fair dealing. The hysteria that radio experienced in the so-called "Gold Rush Days" is over and now radio has settled down to a stable business, with a very consistent and steady demand that will increase as the years go on, gradually. Nineteen hundred and twenty-seven was an exceptionally good, consistent year with us, insofar as our lines of merchandise were successful throughout. We are distributing Bosch radio, StewartWarner radio, Cunningham tubes, Eveready batteries, Powerizers, Dubilier antenna plugs, Brach products, Sterling products and Melofonic speakers. All of these lines are bound to become staples in the metropolitan trade. J. H. Langman, Halsey Supply Corp., Newark, N. J. The past year has seen a decided public preference for the 'All Electric" radio set. Farsighted radio manufacturers recognizing this trend have cashed in on this demand. As jobbers, our problem was to get deliveries. The outlook for 1928 in our opinion is a continued demand for electric sets of the better kind. The tendency in dealer distribution is the high-grade music and radio shop. D. F. Goldman, General Manager, North American Radio Corp. The ever-increasing demand for A. C. receivers has reflected itself in our 1927 sales, which show an increase of almost 40 per cent over 1926. We are concentrating our entire sales effort on the following for 1928: Zenith, Farrand, Eveready, Cunningham. Specialization, we believe, is the keynote to real success in the distribution field. Fewer lines, less inventory, less investment, no obsolete stocks and greater concentration by our sales force — these are the advantages of specializing. We expect 1928 to be our biggest year, as the A. C. receiver has placed the demand for the new, the up-to-date, where it was three or four years ago. Carl Kaufman, Auto Hardware & Equipment Co., Inc. Radio business for 1927 has shown a remarkable increase over the previous year. The A. C. set has stimulated the buying, and will keep the trade busy, no doubt, very late into 1928, as the demand for this type of set is still exceeding the supply. The year closes with very small inventories in the hands of factories, distributors and re tailers, and 1928 must show an increased turnover for the whole industry. Our own experience for 1927 shows an increase of 50 per cent daily over last year. George Ollendorf, National Light & Electric Co., Newark, N. J. Inasmuch as we have had our Indian ' Summer up to this present writing, it is quite e vident that the big buying in radio has not yet come. People are not in the habit of buying things unless they actually feel the need, and it takes a lot of snow, cold and miserable weather to make these people feel the need of radio in the home. It is logical then to assume that from January, 1928, the big radio business will be at hand. We are, therefore, looking for larger radio sales in the first half of 1928 than what we have enjoyed at any other period. As for the second half of the year, we do not feel qualified to say; but we have every reason to believe that a healthy radio business should be enjoyed by all. In any event, it is a year for the go-getter. M. Salzman, Wholesale Radio Equipment Co. We think that 1927 has seen the greatest change in the radio industry that it has yet seen in one season. The industry is changed considerably, with certain manufacturers, jobbers and retailers standing out as leaders in the trade. For those jobbers who watched their inventories and sought to do business with the better class of accounts, radio for 1927 has been a success. In 1928 we can see a reduction in the number of manufacturers, jobbers and dealers, and once again those concerns will be satisfied to do business with a limited number of good dealers, even with a loss of business, due to the fact that all dealers will not be able to get that merchandise, and those manufacturers will be building something for the future. Fred Wilson, E. M. Wilson & Son, Newark, N. J. Radio sales, as far as our observation is concerned, have been very disappointing during the past year to all concerned in the trade. Many opinions have been expressed to us as to the cause of this recession in buying, but none of these opinions seems more logical than our belief that the average consumer interested in buying a radio set this past season has been very much confused as to the true meaning of A. C. sets. Many manufacturers and dealers have in our opinion injured the market with their ads of electrified sets, socket power and house current sets and other such phrases which have in many instances misled the final purchaser. We believe that many owners of three and fouryear-old sets who were logical prospects for new sets this season have stayed out of the market until they feel more nearly satisfied with the products that are being offered by retail dealers. We feel that next season with the A. C. situation more clearly understood and the market generally more stabilized, better business may be expected. We believe that all trade journals and other publications who devote any space to the interest of the radio industry would do well to advocate more honest advertising in this industry. An Interesting Treatise The Dubilier Condenser Corp., New York City, manufacturer of the Ducon, which is plugged into the house wiring system and which makes that system an aerial for the radio set, has issued an interesting treatise upon "The Evolution of the Light Socket Aerial." This treatise should prove of value to talking machine dealers who operate radio departments. Gold Seal . RadioTubes A GSX 226 For amplification and Audio Frequency. List Price, $3. The Great Line for 1928 More and more jobbers and dealers are finding that the Gold Seal proposition includes EVERYTHING to assure a profitable business — (A) Highest quality tubes in a full range of types to meet all requirements. (B) A Policy that builds success on giving satisfaction in all dealings. (C) The largest factory in America making tubes exclusively. (D) Most complete selling helps for dealers and jobbers. (E) Effective advertising — national and local. Write today for full information. GSX 280 Full Wave Rectifier. List Price, $5.50. Gold Seal Electrical Co., Inc. Z50 Park Ave. NEW YORK All Standard Types 86