The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1916)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, JUNE, 1916 Edison Phonograph Monthly Published in the interest of EDISON AMBEROLA PHONOGRAPHS AND BLUE AMBEROL RECORDS By Thomas A. Edison, Inc. ORANGE, N. J., U. S. A. Foreign Offices: 164 WARDOUR ST., LONDON. W. ENGLAND 364-372 KENT STREET, SYDNEY, N. S. W. 3 YORKSTRASSE, BERLIN 59 RUE DES PETITES-ECURIES, PARIS How is it that some Encouragement Amberola dealers report that business is humming, sales are plentiful and profits large, while others are complaining that it is difficult to sell the cylinder line in competition with the many makes of disc machines now on the market? How is it that with many dealers the spring months have seen a decided increase in the demand for Amberolas and Blue Amberol records, when, as some dealers seem to think, the bottom has fallen out of their business? Why is it that many dealers are chuckling over present and prospective profits while others are mourning over the passing of the days when the cylinder line sold itself? It is human nature, that's all. The answer lies in the difference between the successful merchant and the unsuccessful one. Dealers who are not doing an active business should analyze themselves and their business methods rather than criticize the line they are handling. If one dealer can make sales there is no reason why every dealer cannot. And they should find inspiration in the fact that not only one dealer, but thousands of them, are finding the Diamond Amberola line both lively and profitable. This periodical is being Criticism published in your interest, Mr. Dealer, and we want to do everything possible to make it interesting and profitable to you. Nothing is more constructive than critcism when accepted in the right spirit and profited by, and for that reason we welcome, and will continue to welcome, any criticism that dealers have to make in regard to the Phonograph Monthly. It is our ambition to make this paper of, by, and for Edison cylinder dealers — a paper that we all take an interest in and that we can all be proud of. To do this we will be very glad to receive suggestions from those who read this paper. Is there anything that you would like omitted from the Phonograph Monthly? Can you think of anything that would make the periodical more interesting? Do you read articles in it with which you do not agree and do you find therein advice that you do not consider practical? Or, on the contrary, have you had any experiences which have proved to you that the sales and advertising suggestions made in the Phonograph Monthly are practical and valuable? Give us some information along this line and then give us your ideas as to how you would make this periodical more interesting or more valuable if you were editing it. We wish to call attenSales Insurance tion to the fact that practically every Blue Amberol attachment sold means the ultimate sale of a new cylinder instrument. It will be profitable to bear this in mind, especially with the approach of summer, when a little advertising will induce many owners of old-style Edisons to have their old instruments fitted up with th equipment that will make them available for vacation use. If you revive their interest in the phonograph by equipping their instruments with Blue Amberol attachments and then supply them with good stocks of records, they are going to buy a Diamond Amberola when they decide to secure a new phonograph. And, when they want a new cylinder instrument they will have to buy it of you because you have no competition in this line. Get alive to the logic of this Blue Amberol attachment question and you will see the wisdom of pushing the sale. WANTED— CONTRIBUTIONS ! We desire articles relating to the merchandising of the Diamond Amberola line — articles written by our dealers or by their sales or merchandise manager, or others who are con nected with the retailing of the Edison cylinder line. What we want particularly is the news of YOUR store and the things that develop in YOUR place of business. We want YOUR idea as to the best methods of stimulating sales and the most effective and cheapest way to demonstrate or otherwise advertise the Diamond Amberola and Blue Amberol records. Credit will be given those who prepare articles for the Edison Phonograph Monthly and pictures of windows, interiors, etc., featuring the Amberola will be used as far as possible. Address EDITOR, PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY Care of THOMAS A. EDISON, INC., ORANGE, N. J.