The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1908)

Edison Phonograph Monthly, August, 1908 3 Store Management A monthly comment on things Edison dealers have done with a few suggestions on what they should do to increase sales. If you want a bargain — a genuine bargain — take advice. Considering its cost — which is usually only a minute or two, just long enough to listen or to read — advice is the greatest bargain on the market to-day. Take advice. Listen to it. Read it. But don't act on it unless your better judgment tells you it is good. The man who "knows it all" puts cotton in his ears, blindfolds his eyes, and starts down hill. The man who succeeds is the man whose eyes and ears are open, who profits by the experience of others, and who has the wit to let other men's wits work for him, as well as use his own. It is with this purpose in view that we plan to run a department in the Phonograph Monthly called "Store Management. A monthly comment on things Edison Dealers have done with a few suggestions on what they should do to increase sales." You, as an Edison Dealer, must realize that we have all the same interests in common. We do not sell a single Phonograph or Record except to a Jobber, who in turn sells to you. When you sell a Phonograph we sell a Phonograph. When you lose a customer we lose a sale, too. We are vitally interested in your personal, individual success, because our success depends on yours. Naturally, then, we are anxious to help you sell all the Phonographs and Records you can. One of our ways to help is to give you the best advice and suggestions that we can secure. We shall give you the ideas of men who have been successful in solving those problems which every Dealer must meet. And from the suggestions published each month we are confident that you will get at least one idea which you can adapt to your particular business needs and use with profit. In return we are going to ask that you help us with your experience. Write us. Tell us of successful selling plans, of practical economies in store managing, and of special schemes that have worked out well. It costs just as much to operate your store whether you sell one Phonograph a week or ten. You cannot cut down your fixed expenses and you must push up your profits. One way to increase your sales Is to make your store work more. You work — your clerks work — your stock works — but how about your store? Does it work? Does it make people want to buy Phonographs ? And when you have sold Phonographs, does it make people want to buy Records? When the Bryan Records were put on the market they sold like hot cakes. They are selling yet. When Bryan was nominated, how many of you made a special push on Bryan Records? How many put his picture in the window ? The nomination of Bryan was the most important news in the papers Wednesday, July 8th. A very little effort on your part would have made it your advertising. But that's all over now. Let's take up to-day. The new Records are new only one day in the month, but you can sell old Records all the time. An old Record is just as good as a new one if a man hasn't heard it. Some Dealers begin to look forward to new Records as early as the middle of the month. Next month's Records are no newer to most of your customers than those you have right on your shelves, and the profit is just as good. Don't let the dust gather on old Records while you try to sell new ones. Make the outside of your store work as well as the inside. Use the wall space to advertise your goods, something you sell — Edison Phonographs. We have a big banner for any Dealer who will put it up outside — where it can be seen — where it will work for you.