The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1905-Feb 1906)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. CONCERNING SPECIAL OUTFITS. Our present Agreement provides that where other goods, such as horns, horn-stands, carrying-eases, etc., are Included with a regular Phonograph outfit, the price of the additional articles must be advertised separately and must be the same whether included with the regular-outfit or sold separately. This provision was made necessary in view of the fact that in some instances special outfits were advertised at prices only very little in excess of the list prices of the regular outfits, and a suspicion was created thxit in such cases the prices of the regular outfits were cut. To remedy this, it was provided that in every case the prices of the additional goods should be advertised separately. Recently a number of cases have arisen where Jobbers and Dealers have advertised special outfits in which the additional sundries have been listed far below cost, and in some instances at only a few cents* In these cases obviously there must be a considerable loss on the additional sundries. In any event, such a practice violates the Agreement in the respect that other goods are sold at less than current prices in order to induce the sale of Edison Phonographs or Records, and for this, reason Jobbers and Dealers who had offended in this respect were suspended. We take this opportunity, therefore, of notifying all Jobbers and Dealers that in the event of any special outfits where it appears that the prices for the additional goods are below what would be' a fair cost for the same, to thereby •create a suspicion that special prices were being made to induce the sale of Edison Phonographs or Records, the Jobber or Dealer in question will be immediately suspended, pending an investigation in the matter. Where Jobbers or Dealets have any doubt as to the proper interpretation of our Agreement, or as to any question arising thereunder, we suggest that the matter be referred to us, rather than run the risk of temporary or permanent suspension. Such communications can be addressed either to the National Phonograph Company, or to our General Counsel, Mr. Frank L. Dyer, Orange, N. J. NOTICE TO THE TRADE. Nos. 7298 &7333 also « Cut Out." The list of Records to be dropped from the catalogue, and whose manufacture is to be discontinued, as printed on pages 6 and 7, contains two more titles than given on the list mailed to the trade on February 17th. After the list had been sent out, it was found necessary to cut out No. 7298, "Daily Paper at Pumpkin Centre," and No. 7333, "The Lightning Rod Agent," by Cal Stewart. Jobbers and Dealers will note this addition to the "cutout" list, and be governed accordingly. SAMPLE RECORDS MUSI NOT BE SOLD. Jobbers are cautioned against allowing their sample Records each month to permanently leave their possession, "or to be sold either to Dealers or to the public ahead of the receipt of their stock orders. The object in sending these samples to the trade was primarily to permit Jobbers to play them, over and determine their possible selling qualities before placing their orders. Many Jobbers have, in turn, passed them from one Dealer to another for the same purpose. Although this was not part of the original plan, no objection has been made to it by us as long as the Records were only used by Jobbers and Dealers. Our attention has been called to a few cases, however, in which Jobbers have allowed the last Dealer hearing the Records to retain them and have them charged to, his account. This is a distinct violation of the understanding" under which the sample Records are being shipped, and any further violation of the same character will compel us to refuse to ship samples to the offending Jobber. We have no desire to be harsh in a matter of this kind, but it seems only fair to ask Jobbers to keep faith in a plan that was promulgated and is being carried out for their benefit. OUR NEW OFFICES IN NEW YORK None of our Jobbers or Dealers visiting New York should fail to call at our new offices in the Metropolis Bank building at 31 Union Square, corner Broadway and 16th street. We moved into these new quarters on February 1st and are now fully settled. These new offices are more like those that we formerly occupied at Broadway and 26th street and 135 Fifth avenue. They are a great improvement over those just vacated at 83 Chambers street. The Metropolis Bank building is one of the most modern in the city and contains the finest equipments. Our offices are on the fourth floor. The . fittings, furnishings and decorations are of an attractive and substantial character, the woodwork and furniture, in antique oak finish, harmonizing with the warm, rich color scheme and luxurious rugs. The rooms of the executive offices are light and pleasantly located, while the staff have ample accommodations. The city and foreign departments have also facilities denied them from lack of space in the old place on Chambers street. We are now in better shape than ever to handle the rapidly increasing demands of Edison Jobbers and Dealers.