The talking machine world (Oct-Dec 1921)

102 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD November 15, 1921 INDIANAPOLIS DEALERS LOOK FOR GOOD HOLIDAY TRADE Talking Machines and Records Moving More Quickly and on a Better Merchandising Basis Than for Some Time — Establishments and Sales Forces Expanded — Monthly Letter Tells the Story Indianapolis, Ind., November 8. — Contrary to business conditions among the piano dealers of Indianapolis, which are not satisfactory, the talking machine dealers report increasingly better business with everything pointing to a lively holiday trade. Practically without exception the leading dealers say that both machines and records are moving better than they have any time this year. Sonora Business Improving Business is better among the Sonora dealers of the State, according to O. C. Maurer, manager of the Sonora department of the Kiefer-Stewart Drug Co., State distributor. He says the recent reduction in Sonora prices has encouraged the dealers to renewed efforts with the result that prospects are for a nice steady business through the remainder of the year. Sales, he says, are as frequent in the $200 and $300 as in the lowerpriced machines. Concerts Help Taylor Business Miss Minnie Springer, of the Taylor Carpet Co., reports business in Victrolas picking up. She says the number of sales in the last three or four weeks has been very encouraging. She reports good returns from the recent concert of the Eight Famous Victor Artists. Two Join Widener's Staff T. E. Gardner, as an outside salesman, and Miss Helen Ike, as a record saleswoman, have been added to the sales force of Widener's Grafonola Shop. W. G. Wilson, manager, reports better business in both the Granby and the Columbia machines and also increased sales in Columbia records. He says the adding of the Granby machines to the line carried by the store has done much toward bringing increased business. The new $175 period model of the Granby is in particular favor, according to Mr. Wilson. Reports received from the territory in southern Indiana and Kentuckj being covered for the Granby are that the machine is meeting with exceptional favor. Victor Dealers Charge Interest Victor dealers in this city now are charging 5 per cent extra on all Victrolas sold on the instalment plan. The charging of interest has been in effect nearly a month and, according to reports, there has been no change in the machine business. One reason given by some of the dealers for making the change from the old plan of accepting deferred payments without interest is that instances have been known in which customers able to pay cash have bought on deferred payments simply because no extra charge was made by the dealer. Victrolas Lead in Sales Contest In a contest among the various departments of the store of the Pettis Dry Goods Co., of this city, the Victrola department won first honors by showing an increase of 140 per cent over last year, when a similar contest covering a period of ten days was held. The prize for winning the contest was $10 given to each clerk in the department. Speaking of the contest, Ira Williams, head of the department, said: "It required hard work for us to come out first this year and the final results were very much in doubt until the last minute. ' The terms which we were able to secure were unusually good, and, considering everything, I am very well pleased with the showing we made." Music Course Attracts Patrons L. S. Ayres & Co., owning one of the leading department stores in the city, have established as an added ser\nce to the customers of their Victrola department a free course in music history and appreciation. Miss Caroline Hobson, of the Stewart Talking Machine Co., is acting as lecturer during the course. The course embodies and deals with interesting facts and stories of the world's best music. The beautiful tea room of the store is turned over entirely to the classes between 9.30 and 10 every Tuesday morning. Such subjects as "Principles of Music," "History of Music," "The Orchestra," "The Opera" and "The Oratorio" are discussed as a part of the course. Mr. Follis, manager of the department, says the service, which is offered gratis by the department, is doing much to stimulate the sale of Red Seal records among his customers. Several dealers outside the city are planning to carry out the same idea, using local music teachers to aid them. Victor Artists Hold Concerts The Eight Victor Artists, appearing in the largest theatre of the city, packed the house on a recent Sunday night. Glowing accounts of the entertainment appeared in the newspapers and the whole effect of the concert was a noticeably increased demand for records made by members of the group of artists. Adds Five to Sales Staff Five men have been added to the outside sales force of the Indianapolis Talking Machine Co., and a house-to-house canvass is being made in the city. As part of the plan for thus covering the city weekly meetings are held between the outside salesmen and J. R. Jones, a member of the sales force of the Stewart Talking Machine Co. A. C. Hawkins, manager of the Indianapolis Talking Machine Co., reports that the business of the first three weeks of October showed that the month would be ahead of the corresponding month last year. Sixtj' per cent of the sales during the month, he says, were made outside the store, whereas previously most of the company's sales were made in the store. As an indication of the business available for men who hustle, Mr. Hawkins reports that one of his outside salesmen, C. W. Larsh, put out five machines on approval and out of the five closed four sales in Equip Your Booths with Stewart Record Standi COMPACTLY bulk and designed especially for handling records conveniently in the demonstration rooms, this stand brings efficiency to your record selling. The customer places on the top shelf the records he wishes to hear; on the bottom shelf those he does not want, and on the middle shelf those he wants to buy. Result — no mix-ups and much time saved. A powerful aid to the busy dealer. No. SA 010 $8. 70 f. o. b. Indianapolis In Mahogany, Golden Uak and Birch finish. Height, 43% inches. Top, ISyi X I6yi inches. If you have no account with us please send check with order. STEWART JALKING MACHINE CO.. Victor Jobbers INDIANAPOLIS one week. Mr. Hawkins says the most serious problem he faces is the one of getting deliveries from the factory. He is substituting models now awaiting delivery of factory orders. H. A. Brown Is Promoted H. A. Brown, for the last nine months an Edison salesman for the Kipp Phonograph Co., has been placed in charge of the talking machine department of the Pearson Music Co. to succeed Thomas W. Hendricks, who resigned to take up work in a very different line. Mr. Brown heretofore has always been an exclusive Edison salesman, having been, prior to employment with the Kipp Co., one year with the Baldwin Piano Co. at Louisville, and nearly ten years with the J. M. Fisher Music Store at Anderson, Ind. Does Record Business During the third Saturday in October the record business at the Brunswick Shop was the largest of any daj' during the year, according to C. A. Grossart, manager. Mr. Grossart says the month brought better business in both machines and records with a large demand for the new models. Sales Campaign for Amberolas A selling campaign for Edison Amberolas to continue from October IS to December 15 for a purse of $500, to be divided into five prizes, has A Message To Victor Dealers in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana THE TOLEDO TALKING MACHINE CO. TOLEDO, OHIO WHOLESALE EXCLUSIVELY