The talking machine world (July-Dec 1927)

82 The Talking Machine World, New York, December, 1927 Ford Activities in Connection With Car Reflected in Better Feeling in Detroit Increase in Employment Expected to Make Holiday Season More Satisfying Than Was Expected— Early Cleaning Up of Overdue Accounts at Stores Anticipated by the Retail Trade Detuoit, Mich., December 9. — The announcement by Henry Ford of his new car has caused a sen'Sation all over the world. While orders have been coming in from dealers everywhere far in excess of what can be supplied at once and beyond expectations the real effect of the whole thing has been the confidence and optimism that have been created among business people and wage earners generally. It is bound to be reflected in greater talking machine sales for the holidays. In fact, last Saturday night is an example of what can be expected. The retail stores had more shoppers than ever — people looking around to see what they do want in the talking machine line — the sales will no doubt come before Christmas. Talking ma chine dealers with whom we talked the past few days are in a happier frame of mind bebecause this stimulus to business on account of the new Ford car not only means sales, but, most important, will mean that people will start cleaning up their 1926-1927 obligations. Dealers have been quite worried about their collections, which have been poor since the first of last January; there have been repossessions but only when it was absolutely necessary. It was not a question with most people that they didn't want to pay but a case where they simply could not. Dealers have been unusually patient and liberal with their time-payment customers, and as people get back to work they will quickly absorb their old debts and will again be in the buying mood, declare trade leaders here. Talking machine sales have been "spotty" for the past six weeks, according to most of the larger dealers, such as Grinnell Bros., the J. L. Hudson Music Store, the Wurlitzer store, Detroit Music Co., Frank Bayley and others. Days would go by without a single sale and then for some reason business would take on new life for a week or so. But it wasn't consistent. We do know this, that many of the bigger stores will show a slight increase for this year over last in their talking machine departments, but it is not a percentage as big as they would like. However, under the circumstances, they feel as if they should not be complaining as most other lines of business in Detroit will actually show a loss — especially in retail lines. Grinnell Bros, are doing exceptionally well with their line of Kellogg radio outfits. We noticed them exhibited at the Detroit Pure Food Show several weeks. And we are told that the more expensive sets sell in preference to the lower-priced ones. At the J. L. Hudson store the RCA outfits and the Atwater Kent are very goCd sellers. Record sales by talking machine dealers we find will show a nice increase over 1926. People who buy the new machines, whether they be Victor, Brunswick, Edison or Columbia, want the new records as fast as they come out. Victor Orthophonic sales are sure to have a big increase in December over last year, judging by the reports of the wholesale department of Grinnell Bros. Columbia dealers say lhat the new machines are gaining, while Columbia records are selling better than ever. Frank Bayley, Edison dealer, looks for real i/icrease in sales for December and even next year. As for Brunswick, the new Panatrope, especially high-priced models, is a big seller. Never before has Detroit been visited by so many talking machine record and radio stars as this season and it all helps to boost record business. Sterling Radio Go. Opens New Columbia Accounts Columbia Phonograph and Record Distributor Reports Keen Interest in Line by Dealers — Many Prestige Accounts Opened Kansas City, Mo., December 8. — The Sterling Radio Co., which secured the distributing rights for Columbia Viva-tonal phonographs and Columbia New Process records for western Missouri, Kansas and northwestern Arkansas in September, reports that the results of the aggressive campaign waged in favor of the line have been most gratifying. A. G. Bolts is manager of the Columbia phonograph and record division of the company, and he states that prestige accounts are being opened rapidly in all the principal points of distribution, among which are R. C. Bollinger Music Co., Ft. Smith, Ark.; Ross-Workman Music Co., Coffeyville, Kan.; Woolsey Music Co., Fort Scott, Kan.; Harry C. Leonard Music Co., Abilene, Kan., and the Ellis Music Co., Nevada, Mo. New Sales Record on Berg Artone Portables Large Demand for Popular Portables Makes Necessary Capacity Operation Four Nights a Week to Prevent Merchandise Shortage E. R. Manning, treasurer and general sales manager of the Berg A. T. & S. Co., Long Island City, N Y., reports a tremendous demand for Berg Artone portables, culminating in the biggest year in the history of the organization. In spite of the increased facilities recently added to the factory, it has been found necessary to work four nights a week to take care of this demand. Model A 1 1 1 1 RADIO FACTS i! The increasing popularity of portable radios is due to changing conditions. Chain broadcasting distributes the world's best programs to practically every locality, so that the use of large, powerful receivers serves no real purpose. The tone quality and selectivity of the HYATT Portable, its attractive appearance and convenience creates merchandising possibilities of which you should take advantage. Rememher This There is practically no service on a HYATT Portable, and that means more profit for you. liiii JXN.W1US »TMKT lla^oiii