The talking machine world (July-Sept 1921)

Seitembeh 15, 1921 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 57 DECIDED TRADE QUICKENING THROUGHOUT NORTHWEST More Abundant Harvest Than Predicted Causes OptimismWhat Leading Jobbers Report Regarding General Trade Outlook— Despite Unemployment in Mining Section Good Feeling Prevails Minneapolis and Sr. Paul, , September 6. — While there has been a decided quickening in trade conditions in the Twin Cities within the past fortnight the wise men are advising everyone to be cautious until the future offers a clearer view. It is now certain that many sections of the Northwest will have a more abundant harvest than had been predicted, bul even so the farmers will have tittle or no surplus of "cash unless there should be a marked rise in the price of grain. Local dealers in the rural sections arc generally optimistic and arc sending in large orders, but the jobbers and distributors hesitate to fill them, as they arc not sure that their customers will be able to dispose of the goods after they get them. The "iron country," which has been a fine field for the talking machine people, does not promise much remuneration. Only about a fifth of the normal forces are employed at the mines and no one seems to know when normal operation will be resumed and, to make matters worse, many other large industries which usually take on additional help at this time of the year arc dropping a considerable number of office and shop people. But the Northwest lias great recuperative powers and the majority of the music merchants sec a silver lining in the cloud that long has overcast this section of the Union. For one thing there has been a positive improvement in trade. Local sales arc much more numerous and road men arc sending in good reports and good orders. The big State fair, which was held September 3-10, always has been a puller for business and it has sustained its reputation this year. If the farmers can be induced to forget their troubles all will be well. Victrola distributors, and in particular the Bcckwith-O'Ncill Co. and W. J. Dyer & Bro.: refuse to see anything but rosy skies in the future. Col. Hoyt, who is touring North Dakota and Montana in his car, writes to Bcckwith-O'Ncill Co. that North Dakota crop reports have been somewhat erroneous and is sending in orders to prove that the farmer; still have money. The company is doing a nice business with the Selrex counter. Recently il installed five counters in the new phonograph department of the New England Furniture Co., Minneapolis, and has received orders from vari ous rural dealers. The New England Co. will also have twenty demonstration booths. The outlook is so fine to the Minnesota Phonograph Co. that Milton Lowy, the manager, has found it advisable to put on three additional salesmen. The sales thus far for 1921 have surpassed the record for the corresponding period of 19.20, slates Mr. Lowy. Laurence H. Lucker, Northwestern distributor of the Edison machines and records, declares that general conditions are eminently satisfactory. The most encouraging reports come from the Vocation headquarters of the Stone Piano Co Col. Stone says that everything looks lovely just now, but he admits that he wants to wail thirty days longer before expressing any opinion as to the Fall prospects. The record business is picking up wonderfully, says the manager. Foster & Waldo Co. are pressing hard for business and are getting it. R. 0. Foster is a dynamo of energy and enthusiasm and has infected his entire staff. He expects to add as high as fifteen more to his sales force by the time that the Fall trade reaches its peak. A large number of big talking machine jobbers visited the Twin Cities after the convention. Among the visitors were Mr. and Mrs. E C. Reith. of St. Louis; J. Newcomb Blackmail, of New York, and Louis Buehn, of Philadelphia E. K, Kern, Northwestern director of the Brunswick-Balke-Collciider Co., announces thai the Brunswick has not halted in its progress onward and upward and expresses himself as quite satisfied with the results he is obtaining E. F. WALLACE ON WESTERN TOUR E. F. Wallace, president of the Sphinx Gramophone Motors, Inc., left New York early this month for a tour of the Middle Western territory. The company has just completed plans for a new sales drive and, owing to the fact that the executives of the firm see a revival of demand for talking machine motors, the new sales plans will care for additional business. Remember lhal when you have sold your establishment to a customer he or she is bound to tell a neighbor or friend about it. This is profr itablc publicity. Courtesy and a square deal will do the trick. Mr. Dealer: Are you making enough profit on your phonograph needles? Let us show you how to get the best results and increase your needle sales. We Help You Sell NUPOINTS This Stand FREE y0T Some Jobbing Territories Still OpenWrite for Proposition NUPOINT MFG. CO. 1208 W. 59lh Slr=«l CHICAGO, ILL. BLANDIN TO enjoy a steady increase in trade under present conditions is proof positive of unusual merit. This is what the Blandin Phonograph is enjoying. The demand is brisk. Dealers find no trouble in interesting the customer because of the Blandin superiority in reproducing most difficult records without any discordant and marring sounds. Write for complete particulars. Racine Phonograph Co., Inc. RACINE, WISCONSIN. HearN /aPiano\ [ Bccord I on. tfu? , UMandiW NOVEL PUBLICITY STUNT As a means of attracting people, a Columbia dealer had a number of holes punched in the iron cover over the coal hole in the sidewalk. Then he had. a phonograph placed in the cellar, near the lower opening of the coal chute, and the music actually came up through the sidewalk. There are a number of dealers who have the idea that where the phonograph is arranged so that the music comes out over the transom or through the doorway it cheapens the general aspect of the store. To such this plan would undoubtedly make an especial appeal. The salesman who isn't sold on advertising is a good deal like an executive who is jealous of an ambitious assistant.