The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1906-Feb 1907)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. 19 A GOOD SOLICITING LETTER. [The letter printed below is one being used by A. F. Smith, an Edison Dealer at Holstein, la., for sending to prospective customers in his territory. It is printed in imitation of a type-written letter and is accompanied by a stamped post card for the reply of the recipient. It is reprinted in full because it seems to us to meet the requirements of so many Dealers who do not feel equal to the task of writing one themselves. Holstein is a place of less than 1000 population, but Mr. Smith carries the complete Edison catalogue of Records]. Holstein, Iowa, December 20, 1906. Dear Sir: — I have sold 67 Edison Phonographs since I started with them a little more than a year ago ; I want to make it a hundred before this year's up. Mr. Edison himself made a statement not long ago that he would like to see a Phonograph in every home, and since I have from my own experience and that of every one of my Phonograph customers learned the true value of one in the home, in added pleasure, entertainment, instructiveness and comfort, I have that same enthusiastic feeling myself— not because of the pecuniary benefit, as I could make just as much money doing something else, but it is a genuine pleasure for me to sell an Edison Phonograph. Not one of my customers would part with his Phonograph outfit. Isn't that a good recommendation ? If I had time I would pack up one (like most everybody around here has bought), with the proper size amplifying horn for the home and a dozen select records and bring it out to you and let you try it for a week or so and see just how it would suit you anyway, and then if you didn't want to buy it, I would take it to someone else, but just at this season of the year I am too busy at the store to take the time this would require and 1 am anxious to make my 100 sales as stated, so I am going to ask you to come in after this outfit I have mentioned and take it out and keep it a week or ten days on trial and then return it, if you want to. I will charge you nothing for the use of it, whether you buy or not, and you will be perfectly welcome to return it if you want to. This way is the most satisfactory to both of us. It saves me time and it gives you an opportuity to test the Phonograph where it is to be used, and you will have plenty of time to make up your mind whether you would like to have one, and it won't cost you a cent unless you buy it — and you needn't buy it unless you think it is worth the money. Regarding price — Machines and records are the same everywhere and no one can make them any different, viz: Gem, $10.00; Standard, $20.00; Home, $30.00; Triumph, $50.00. Records, 35 cents each, $4.20 per dozen, but I have spent considerable time experimenting with different combinations to get the best results and can therefor be a decided help to you in selecting the outfit best suited for you. I have amplifying horns from $1.50 to $15.00. Naturally some one of these would be the best for home use; I have found it. I also have the largest stock of Records to be found in this part of the country. Now will you take one of these on trial as suggested? If so, fill out the enclosed card and mail it to me at once. Please return the enclosed postal card at once, as I need to know how to gauge my orders. Yours truly, A. F. SMITH. COULDN'T FIND A PRICE CUTTER. We are going to drop you a few lines to pass to you a compliment, that, to us, seems to be one of the highest that could be paid you, regarding the method of placing your goods in the hands of the public. Yesterday our Mr. Hampton accidentally came across a man who buys everything possible from department, bargain house and catalogue stores. In fact, the man makes a fad of this class of purchases. Incidentally the conversation drifted around to Edison Phonographs and he told Mr. Hampton that he had written to every bargain house he knew, looked up all the catalogues of mail order houses, etc., and had been unable to strike a variation in price from that quoted in direct Edison advertisements, or the prices we had shown him on our wall as dealers' retail prices. Knowing the man as we do, we can realize what this means better than you. But it certainly proves the care you have taken to prevent injury to the trade and your goods by price cutting. And you will permit us to express our highest compliments to you for your thorough system, and constant watchfulness regarding this particular feature of the Phonograph and Record business. As Dealers we appreciate it most highly, as everyone connected with the distribution of Edison goods must do. — Geo. D. Hampton Piano Co., Newport News, Va.