The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

8 A POSTAL WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS WILL BRING A FREE SAMPLE OF THE NEW QUICK-SELLING RECORD CLEANER Here at last is a perfect Record Cleaner that makes good all down the line. It is constructed on an entirely new principle. It is a necessity to all owners of records, because it keeps the tone of the reproduction clear free from all harsh sounds. It fits into and removes the dust from every minute sound groove as nothing else can, thus adding life to the records. "DUSTOFF" ^eaneS If you are not now selling these goods, Mr. Retailer, ACT NOW. These Record Cleaners have passed the experimental stage — they are making money for the wide-awake retailers who have put them in. THEY WILL MAKE MONEY FOR YOU. We will send you plenty of attractive little circulars with your goods. FREE CIRCULARS You can give these out in the store or mail them with your monthly statements -THEY WILL MAKE SALES FOR YOU. BIG PROFIT " Dustoff " Record Cleaners retail for 15 cents each. There is a good margin of profit in them for you. GET BUSY— NOW. Write us to-day, giving your jobber's name and we will send you free sample with prices and complete information. THE VICTOR TALKING MACHINE CO. SAYS: "A piece of velvet carpet makes an excellent and cheap record cleaner, and should be used on all records before playing." "Dustoff" Record Cleaners are made of especially selected high grade velvet carpeting, having a soft, fine texture and a high nap which accommodates itself perfectly to the surface of all records. It is the only record cleaner that fits into and removes the dust from every minute groove and crevice without wearing or scratching the record in the least. TONE CONTROLLER COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. THE TRADE UN CINCINNATI. Holiday Business Indicates That There Is No Loss in Popularity of Talking Machines — December a Record Month— How the Wurlitzer Co. Succeeded in Getting Sufficient Victrolas — Good Victrola Demand — Columbia Machines and Records Sell Well — Milner Music Co. Sell Armberolas Before Receiving Them — Add to the Regina Line — John Arnold's Good Year — Salm Talking Machine Co. in New Quarters — To Push the Concertophone — Other News of General Interest. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cincinnati, Jan. 5, 1910. The holiday business settled one thing in the minds of the local dealers in talking machines p,ad supplies. The sales during December, particularly for Christmas delivery, showed that these amusement devices are more popular than ever, and consequently the Cincinnati trade has reason to enlarge its stock and field of operations in 1910. The year, as a whole, was regarded with disfavor up to December 1, but the business during the succeeding thirty-one days caused the aggregate to be greater than the volume of 1908. Business, both retail and wholesale, was very brisk with The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. The wholesale trade was pretty well scattered during the month, with the exception of rush orders for Victrolas, which were handled mainly during the last week. The Victrola sales constituted practically the entire business, and this, together with an immense demand for the better class records, kept the talking machine men busy during practically the entire month. The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. placed their Christmas order for Victrolas during the preceding summer, and the goods kept coming in during the fall in large shipments and were warehoused, awaiting the holiday rush. As a result neither wholesale or retail customers were disappointed, and, in spite of the immense business done in Victrolas, every order was filled promptly and completely during the holiday season. A feature of the wholesale trade was the telegraphic orders for Victrolas received from small dealers, who ordinarily do not carry this price machine in stock. It showed that the advertising campaign given this instrument was not without results, because these sales can he traced to a demand which certainly was not created by the dealers themselves. There is absolutely no question but that thousands of Victrola sales were not made mainly because the dealers do not carry Victrolas in stock and were afraid to order one when they had a prospect for the sale of an instrument. There were many homes made happy with a Victrola in Cincinnati this Christmas. Contrary to expectations, however, everybody delayed buying until the last two weeks, and, as a result, the retail departments of The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. were busy practically every night until 11 o'clock filling the orders which were taken during the day, and four wagons were kept busy distributing the instruments in the city. In order to facilitate matters and help the purchaser besides, The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. made a unique proposition, which was undoubtedly responsible for quite a few sales being made that otherwise would have been lost. Every purchaser who seemed at all slow in making up his mind was told that The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. would guarantee that the instrument would please every member of the family. In the event that this was not the case, the purchaser could notify The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. to call for the instrument and would be under no obligations whatsoever on this account. Four wagons were reserved for delivering Victrolas during the last week before Christmas. Regina sales were also very good, showing that this splendid music-maker is still in big demand. A number of Reginas were sold to old talking-machine customers, showing that the sales of tnese instruments do not at all conflict with the sales of Victor goods. As a result of the splendid business enjoyed during the last two months, the talking machine men in Cincinnati are looking forward to 1910 with a good deal of enthusiasm. In questioning some of the regular customers, who have not been buying for a long time, we have invariably found that they have not as yet recovered from the hard times, and that they have not lost interest in their machines, but could not as yet begin buying regularly until they have taken care of the obligations incurred during the panic. Another feature of the Christmas business was the big. sales on Cygnet Horns and Edison Fireside Phonographs, The Fireside is undoubtedly extremely popular in Kentucky and Tennessee, the States which ordinarily draw their supplies from Cincinnati. These are mainly agricultural states, and people are more conservative in buying than those located in a manufacturing district. In a previous issue the writer announced the [act that The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. had doubled their record-selling facility, and that they now had two complete departments, one in the basement and one on the hist floor. At that time Mr. Dittrich stated that he would have need for every one of them when the record-selling season began, and now, that the record season has opened up, he iinds that even this increase in record booths is not sufficient to take care of all the customers during the rush hours. The Columbia Phonograph Co. report a more than satisfactory Christmas business; in fact, December business ranks with the best December in the history of the Cincinnati store in wholesale, retail and instalment. An unusually huge business was done in the Urafonolas, and a much greater business could have been done in this line of instruments if the factory could have delivered the goods. The 4-minute Indestructible records and cylinder machines to play these records proved great sellers, and the demand could not be supplied. There is every evidence that the coming year will prove the greatest year in the history of their business. The Milner Musical Co.'s first Amberola remained on the floor just one hour, and at the time of its being sold the concern had two more customers in the store waiting for the same instrument. It is not often that first refusals are requested in buying musical instruments, but such was the case in the above two instances, and the next two Amberolas are sold before they reach the company. This is very encouraging to their Edison department, and only goes to show the demand created by a perfected high-grade instrument. 'We have had the largest month in the talking machine department," remarks Manager Walter W. Timmerman, "and, in view of the many newmachines sold to our new customers, the month of January should be an exceedingly good one for us in records." The Milner Musical Co. have just added a Regina and Reginaphone department, which will be under the personal direction of William Kenney. John Arnold celebrated the first anniversary of his moving into his present quarters, 507 and 509 Elm street, on December 28, by announcing that his house had done a better business in his new stand than where he was formerly located on West Fifth street. The busy appearance of his music and talking machine departments corroborates his statement if such is necessary. Mr. Arnold received his supply of Amberolas too late for holiday demonstration, but finds they are in good demand to-day, and expects to do a great business through this new field. He had a remarkable sale of the Red Seal records. Mr. Arnold claims to find the demand for cheap goods to be disappearing, the higher priced articles being more popular. The Salm Talking Machine Co. are now domiciled in their new quarters, 538 Main street, to which place the concern moved on December 29. The move was made in order to get into touch with a higher class of trade. The new quarters are divided into three parts, the front being reserved for disc machines, the center for the Victrolas, and in the rear the Edison machines and supplies will hold forth. It is likely that J. C. Groene, of Race street, will devote more of his energies to the concertophone, of which he has the .Ohio rights. George Howard, who was taken on in December, in order to develop the talking machine department of this house, may give the greater part of his time to the electrical music boxes, the demand for which is in excess of the supply. Already twelve have been installed. A salesman should always make it a point to keep well posted on the general trend of his special line through trade journals as to prices, demand, supply, etc. A voice well cultivated is an important factor in a salesman's equipment.