The talking machine world (Oct-Dec 1921)

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Decembek is, 1921 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 111 Tom Oo ourQ H I QLn rmimQumTEm^ III VWI ^^^^ REPUBLIC BLDG., 209 SOUTH STATE ST TELEPHONE WABASH EDWARD VAN HARLINGEN WILLIAM BRAID WHITE EUGENE F. CAREY ARTHUR E. NEALY A. SNYDER Chicago, III., December 8. — During the month of October and the first half of November retail business in this section was not exceptionally gratifying to dealers; yet we have received reports that business during these six weeks was as good as during the corresponding period last year or the year before, and far outdistanced any period so far this year. The latter part of November showed a falling off to some degree, but the opening of Decemiber started the business ball rolling again. We are inclined to believe that the falling off was due to two factors — the miserable, rainy weather and a let-up in local advertising on the part of dealers. We know not only that business was good during those six weeks but that during that time there appeared in the local papers more talking machine advertising than had appeared previously during the year. The dealers were out to get the business and they got it. But the sad part of it all seems to have been that as soon as business started to hum in a manner satisfactory to the dealers the latter became slack again. It seemed that they supposed that it was only necessary to start the business a-going and it would then continue by virtue of its own momentum. Perhaps this would have followed out and the business would have continued to roll in had Mr. Dealer shoved hard enough, but it seems he merely got it started good and then stopped shoving. The natural result followed — the business quit rolling. On the first of December the dealers seemed to have awakened and publicity again appeared in the local papers. The canvassers were also started up again. The natural result followed immediately. Business beg-an to improve, and from present indications there is every reason to believe that the dealer has learned his lesson and will bring about a satisfactory turnover for the month of December. The unemployment situation has been very noticeably relieved, and we are now practically at the same level as we alkvays were in normal years. Chicago has always been a center of unemployment. It is the center of railroads, steel mills, packing and other tremendously large undertakings, such as harvesting machinery, building trades, etc. Whenever there is a strike or labor dispute affecting one of these vast industries, it seems as if the rest become infected automatically. But all that is past, for the time being at least, and many of the workers are back to work and making money. The money they are making they are also spending, though not in war-time quantities. But we can safely say that they are spending it in amounts that can easily be compared with normal times. That being the case, it is only necessary for the retail dealer to keep on the job and go after business. He is sure to get it. Let him remove himself from the order-taker class and get into the selling class and stay there. The days when a high-class salesman was ignored in favor of the ordertaking clerk is past, and the high-pressure men are again coming into their own. Another Columbia Shop Opens Another exclusive Columbia Grafonola Shop, which reflects music, mirth and melody for many blocks around, has just been opened at 1976 Milwaukee avenue under the name of Lazar & Son's Music Center. The formal opening of this new store took place on November 15. That due notice of the opening had been scattered broadcast was clearly evidenced by the large attendance. The publicity was put out under the supervision of S. R. Leinlberg, sales representative of the Columbia Co.'s Chicago branch. It is estimated that 2,000 visitors were in attendance during the day. Souvenirs in the form of roses, bangle pins and miniature Grafonolas, made of glass and filled with candy, were given out. A prize contest was also put on, and the first three winners received packages containing a choice selection of Columbia records. One of the interesting incidents of the day happened when a gentleman who, it is said, was a city inspector visited the shop and insisted that the projecting Columbia sign which can be seen for many blocks north and south be removed, as it was against the city ordinance for such signs to project over the sidewalk beyond a certain distance. The gentleman was at once surrounded by the jazz band and a bevy of beautiful girls and serenaded with "Home Again Blues." The serenade had the desired effect, for the inspector soon became reconciled to the fact that it is a good idea to keep people happy and the sign is still in position. MidWest Victor Dealers Meet The mid-West Victor Dealers' Association held its regular meeting on the evening of November 21 at the Hotel LaSalle. The speakers were: Edgar A. Benson, head of the famous Benson orchestras, and Roy Bargy, musical director of Benson's Chicago Orchestra, who gave short talks on their respective experiences in the work of making Victor records. An interesting talk was also given by William A. Griffith, assistant sales manager of the Chicago Talking Machine (Continued on page 113) Doubles the Joy of Owning a Phonograph Price $2.50 Patented In U. S. Foreign Patents Pending Geer Repeater Proves Remarkable Seller for Fenton Music Co. Walbert Manufacturing Co., 925 Wrightwood Ave., Chicago, 111. Dear Sirs : "We wish that you would increase our order given to you last evening for the Geer Repeaters from one hundred to two hundred. We find that the same is proving an immense attraction to this store and, when we placed our introductory order, never realized the possibilities it would provide towards increasing sales. "Thanking you for giving this your immediate attention and assuring you of our earnest desire to co-operate with you in placing the same in a promifient position in our store, we wish to remain, "Yours very truly, "FENTON MUSIC CO., "By A. C. Fenton." Ten Times More Sales MANY stores selling Geer Repeaters liave put in special icindow displays. The repeater is used on a machine -Li'ith an electric motor or. better a turntable and a motor is used and supported by a large glass jardiniere or other base. Such displays make excellent window attractions and they build business. In so far as we have checked results, this type of display has increased sales of repeaters more than ten times over. Many stores find that sales of records and phonographs are also increased. Try a IVindow Demonstration — it will boost your Christmas Sales. T HE Geer Record Repeater is remarkable because it is as simple and easy to use as a record. It repeats instantly and as often as wanted. It Ccnnot break or get out of order. It protects the record, the machine and the needle. And it is a proved seller. For dances, receptions or other occasions phonograph owners need a Geer Repeater. And stores handling this repeater and showing it in operation in their windows are finding a steadily and rapidly increasing demand, as is proved by the letter herewith reproduced. Send for our' "Demonstrating Package" of three Geer Repeaters {Price to you, $4.75 prepaid), giz'ing us the name of your jobber. WALBERT MANUFACTURING COMPANY Home Office: 925-41 Wrightwood Avenue CHICAGO, ILL. Eastern Office: 200 Fifth Avenue NEW YORK, N. Y.