The talking machine world (Oct-Dec 1921)

108 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD December IS, 1921 ACTIVITY IN THE AUTO FIELD HELPS TRADE IN DETROIT Promised Rush After First of Year Serves to Stimulate Buying of Musical Instruments — Interesting Association Meeting — Jewett Plant Active — Strong Drive for Business Detroit, Mich., December 5. — This is the month that tells the story and we believe the story is going to be an interesting and important one. All year the talking machine has been in a depressive situation, so far as Detroit and some of the larger cities in Michigan have been concerned, not due to any fault of the industry itself, but caused by the general slump in the motor-car business. Michigan is the hub of the world in motor-making and there have been only three or four months out of the whole year that factories have been working normal or near normal. We can report ofificially, however, that at the present time conditions are showing great improvement and it is predicted by men who know that the year of 1922 will see Detroit near normalcy. Automobile factories have been adjusting themselves to after-war conditions, have weeded out the useless employes and created greater efficiency in their plants. This means that after the first of the year, when these plants begin to prepare for the Spring rush, they will be employing more men that at present and the people thus employed will have permanent positions. "If people haven't the money you can't get it out of them," said C. A. Grinnell, vice-president of Grinnell Bros., recently in discussing conditions with The World correspondent. "We are not doing the business we should be doing, of course, and we can't expect to, right now, with so many people out of employment." This doesn't mean that Grinnell Bros, are not doing business. What Mr. Grinnell means to infer is that the stores could be doing so much more if times were normal. Mr. Grinnell believes it will take some time yet to bring about better trade conditions, but he is optimistic and feels that when the time does come more talking machines will be sold than ever before. Collections play an important part in the business of to-day, but dealers are not worried about their charge accounts. Most of the dealers report that many people are paying cash for their machines; and to others they are more liberal than ever. Even customers who are behind in their payments are not being "pestered" or dunned excessively. This applies to people who get behind because of unforeseen conditions and who are doing their utmost to pay as promptly as they can. We have yet to find a dealer who is taking advantage of the situation by replevining machines because people let payments lag. Going After Holiday Trade It seems that every dealer in the city is making a drive for holiday business. At least, this is indicated by the number of dealers using space in the daily newspapers and the amount of space they are buying. If anything the advertisements are larger than last year. Special prices are being featured by some dealers on some makes of machines and there are special inducements in the way of terms, while others are giving books and records with every purchase to stimulate sales. Exhibit of Period Machines The Max .Strasburg Store on Library avenue recently held an exhibition of "Period talking machines," the first display of its kind ever held in Detroit. Mr. Strasburg advertised the event quite heavily and it attracted a lot of people. He had no less than two dozen models in period designs at all prices and they were exhibited in the window and on the floor. The periods were in uprights and console models, all Victor made. People came from all sections of the city and praised the periods very highly. Meeting of Local Association The Detroit Talking Machine Dealers' Association held its November meeting at the Board of Commerce on November 27, about thirty-five being in attendance. Following an excellent dinner President Sidney J. Guest introduced his own brother, Edgar A Guest, Michigan's famous poet, who recited a dozen of his poems and told some interesting and humorous stories. It was a real treat to the dealers to listen to Mr. Guest. Following his recitations and stories the regular meeting ensued. There were important discussions on current trade topics, one of the matters that came up relating to dealers who sell lines of records for which they are not authorized dealers. For instance, in Detroit there are a number of dealers selling Victor records who are not licensed to do so. It was brought out that such a practice is unfair and all those present agreed that it should be stopped. The matter will come up again at the December meeting. Gratifying Report by Lind & Marks Co. S. E. Lind, general manager of Lind & Marks Co., Vocation distributors, says that the last half of 1921 has shown up much better than the first half and he is already anticipating more than 100 per cent increase in sales during 1922 over 1921. "It took us all year to get started," he said to The World. "And now that we have a fine class of dealers, all of whom are hustling, we look for big business next year. We have had more than we figured on for November and December and we are proud of our dealers and the manner in which they have taken hold of the Vocalion line. The machines are selling very nicely and the records are selling faster than we can get them in." Jewett Factory Very Busy A. A. Fair, sales manager of the Jewett Phonograph Co., reports that the factory at Allegan is working almost twenty-four hours a day to get out the orders. "We are way behind and our factory is way oversold, but we are doing everything possible to get as much merchandise out as we possibly can,", he said. "It is surprising the repeat orders we are getting and, really, this pleases us the most because it is not so difficult to get a dealer to put in a new line, but results speak for themselves when dealers reorder, and that's what all of our dealers are doing." Mr. Fair intimated to The World correspondent that he would have several very important expansion announcements to make after the first of the year. Are You Running Short of Certain Victrolas and Records ? Write for list of records selected by our committee as the best sellers for the coming month. To allow us to furnish this will not obligate you in the least — and it imll aid you in making up your order. The heaviest part of the Christmas buying is still before you — but, time is short! Don't miss business through lack of stock. This is the season of the year when the intending buyer will not delay his purchase. He is buying for Christmas. He wants a certain model. If you haven't it, you have lost the sale. We Fill Orders Same Day Received Mail or wire your order TODAY! Round out the year with the greatest possible volume of business. Have a stock that will enable you to sell each and every one wanting to buy! Grinnell Bros Wholesale Distributors of Victrolas and Records First and State Streets, Detroit