Radio Broadcast (May 1929-Apr 1930)

Valuable Pointers on Retailing and Servicing RUNNING A SMALL RADIO SHOP jiiiniiiNiMiiimiimiiMimiiMi By MARY TEXANNA LOOMIS President* Loo mis Radio College Fig. 1 -A ivell-equipped work bench for the efficient servicing of radio receivers. Note especially the convenient arrangement of tools and testing equipment. WHEN the editor of Radio Broadcast asked me to prepare an article giving details of a small radio retail and servicing business, it was obvious that the service-shop classroom of the Loomis Radio College did not answer this description, and that the most effective way of making such an article practical would be to pick out some prospering little shop as a model. Naturally the choice would have to be made from available material. I have chosen to describe the Capitol Radio Service, of the Mount Pleasant suburban section of Washington, D. C, hoping that the ideas gathered may be of assistance to persons contemplating going into a similar line of business. The shop referred to is located in a remodeled house, giving two floor levels, as indicated in Fig. 3. Many such store buildings exist throughout the country, and this is mentioned merely to explain the drawings and pictures which accompany this article. The showroom, with a small array of highclass broadcast receiving apparatus, is shown in Fig. 2, and the service shop in Figs. 1 and 5. Several antenna-ground wall outlets, such as used in apartment-house installations, are arranged around the showroom and wired in parallel so that any set can be conveniently plugged into contact with the antenna and ground without having to move it. The retailing branch of any radio store is a matter of buying wisely and selling at a reasonable profit. Most dealers have arrangements with two or more manufacturers of standard sets as their representatives in their localities. One high-priced and one lowpriced set from different manufacturers need not conflict. All sets are purchased on either cash payment or short-time credit, with standardized discounts. Manufacturers of The author of this article looked into the shop of a typical dealer in Washington, D. C, and reports what was found. Particular stress is laid on the physical service equipment of this shop and how it is employed, and from this description dealers may compare their own problems and how they are trying to solve them with what the Capitol Radio Service organization is doing. Servicemen who find their businesses expanding to the point where they need a shop from which to operate will find this story especially useful. — The Editor. standard radio equipment will not release goods on consignment. Side Line Advisable IT IS a good plan, especially in suburban districts, for the radio dealer to handle a small stock of electric lamps, flash lights, etc. Even a few standard automobile electrical devices may go well. The prospective radio merchant will profit by making a study of the location that he has chosen, to check up on the field that is likely to be open to him in electric side lines. In the matter of purchasing stock, the older experienced dealers could give valuable advice, if they coidd be induced to talk about their mistakes. They would no doubt tell newcomers in this field to proceed cautiously, without permitting conservatism to stand in the way of progress. One must always take a certain amount of chance in any business, but it is wise to avoid risking too much until the way ahead can be seen clearly. It is very easy to clog the stockroom shelves of a small radio store with a quantity of obsolete goods which only bargain sales at great sacrifice can move. In the matter of receiving sets, and auxiliary equipment, the best goods, with the dealer's and factory's guarantees back of them, will pay best in the long run. Sets designed to meet the means of customers who can afford to invest only modestly may be as good, of their kind, as the more elaborate and costly apparatus. Often a large portion of the difference in price between two models from the same manufacturer may be due merely to the difference in design and finish of the cabinets or consoles. If the prospective customer cannot afford to buy beautifid furniture with his radio set, he should be advised to put his money into the "works." The Service Department THE service department of any radio store is the cause of its showings steady increase in business and profits. On the other hand, an inefficient service department is the cause of a store losing its business and finally, in extreme cases, of bankruptcy. The sets sold must be kept in working order, usually for people having only the vaguest of ideas concerning their operation. A short term of free servicing following a sale is standard practice. The dealer must deal pleasantly and patiently with his customers if he intends to make a success of his business. Therefore, the service department is a most important factor and worthy of careful consideration. The first step toward installing a practical • may, 1929 jut*:* 10 •