The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1914)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 33 BIG COLUMBIA-AEOLIAN DEAL JUST CONCLUDED. Aeolian to Take Columbia Line — Long Term ,Grafonolas and Records to Be Carried at The Aeolian Co. has contracted to take on a complete stock of Columbia Grafonolas and Columbia records — straight through the line. The importance of this announcement becomes apparent in view of the well known fact that the Aeolian Co. has heretofore operated under an exclusive Victor jobbing contract.. Several months ago the Aeolian Co. decided to investigate the demand for Columbia products that was reported by its several branches and also to make a thorough examination into the quality and value of such goods, subjecting both machines and records to severe tests. The result is the contract which has just been completed between the Aeolian Co. and the Columbia Grapkophone Co. George W. Lyle, general manager of the Columbia Graphophone Co., when seen at his offices in the Woolworth building confirmed the trade report that the Aeolian Co. has decided to install a complete line of Columbia products in its New THE ClSTOMfiR AS A.N ASSET. He Is a Valuable One to the Talking Machine Dealer When He Is Satisfied, When He Feels That He Is Being Treated Right — It Pays to Cater to Fussy, Particular People — It Is a Good Investment and Pays Good Dividends. In the hurry to attend to many customers it is sometimes a little annoying to a dealer to meet one who is exceedingly particular about details. He is apt to style such a one "fussy" or "cranky." Yet that very customer, fully satisfied, may, and probably will, proye a more valuable asset than one who is not disposed to be particular. The shrewd business man is he who can handle each customer, whatever his or her peculiarities, with the utmost ease, deliberation and respect. A little study of human nature will show that the "fussy" individual is usually the most talkative one when fully satislied, and that talk is more than likely to be in praise of the house that gave her most careful consideration. One very prosperous business man in New York instructed all his clerks to call him whenever they got a hold of a "fussy" individual. No matter how busy he was, he kept himself open to wait on the "particular" customer, and so skilfully did he handle them and eventually turn them, one by one, over to "Mr. Smith" or some other patient salesman (who realized the difficult yet responsible task of being very considerate), that his house grew to large proportions because of the entire satisfaction everyone received who dealt with it. One of the great steamship lines plying between New York and Liverpool has issued a series of printed instructions to all its employes aboard ship, and the dominant note is summed up in these significant words : "The patrons of this line pay your salary and mine; there could be no steamship line without patrons ; therefore, it behooves every employe from the lowest to the highest, to treat every patron with the utmost respect and attention and never enter into any dispute ; if a difference arises immediately seek a superior officer and introduce the patron to him and let no word or look show anything but courtesy and respect." In the phonograph line it is equally true that a satisfied patron is a valuable asset, says the Edison Phonograph Monthly. It pays to satisfy every customer; if you have sold an Edison machine follow it up and see that it is giving satisfaction ; if you get a hurry-up request by telephone or otherwise, be sure to follow it up yourself later in the day and see that it has been filled. If the party has a telephone, call her (or him) on 'phone and see that satisfactory service has been given. If certain records are wanted on a particular day or hour follow them up and see that there is no slip-up in the service. Particular requests should never be lost sight of till satisfaction is guaranteed and carried out to the letter. Sometimes it seems as if these little matters were not worth the care and attention of those who Contract Signed — Complete Line of Columbia Aeolian Hall and in All Aeolian Branches. York store and all of its branches. Mr. Lyle stated to The World : "The order for Columbia products placed with this Aeolian contract is one of the largest initial orders ever placed and it is pleasing enough to the Columbia Co. as an order for merchandise, but it is even more pleasing as carrying a very^ distinct and unmistakable significance of the change in the talking machine industry, which has been so noticeable during the oast two or three years, namely, a desire on the part of the dealer to handle any line of merchandise that is in demand and has quality behind it. A change for the better in every way — for the customer whose convenience is best served, for every dealer in the business and for the industry as a whole." He said he would have other important announcements to make in the near future concerning this movement whereby the talking machine business is rapidly reaching a merchandising basis. occupy responsible positions in a house, particularly when the busy season is on. But that's a mistake; they are highly important, a personal touch, a personal message from someone responsible in the house makes a customer satisfied. It creates a confidence in the house that nothing else can do. Another feature that a satisfied customer appreciates is to have some forethought given his or her needs. If you know of some reason why a certain record will be acceptable on a specified occasion, let your forethought be brought to the patron's attention and ask if it may not be included in the order or sent by special order. There are a hundred and one ways of studying how to make satisfied customers, and it is just as profitable as to study how to keep a good balance in the bank. ENJOY LABOR DAY PICNIC. Employes of Stewart Talking Machine Co., Indianapolis, Spend Lively Day at Outing. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Indianapolis, Ind., September 12. — Filfty-three employes of the Stewart Talking Machine Co., d.stributers in Indiana for the Victor Talking Machine Co., attended the annual Labor Day picnic giveH by the Stewart Company in a grove along cne of the Hoosier capital's wooded streams. The party started out from the Stewart headquarters, 221 North Pennsylvania street, early Monday morning in automobiles. George E. Stewart acted as master of ceremonies, and arranged the entertainment for the employes. Chickens were cocked over open fires. One of the features of the day was the ball game between the married men and the single men. W. M. English, traveling representative of the Stewart Company, scored the first run. The single men whipped the benedicts to the tune of 24 to 16. Flowers and candy for the women and girls were supplied at the store. W. S. Bairingcr, manager, reports that everybody "had the time of his or her life." TALKING MACHINES IN FAVOR. In an article on the trade and industries of Syria, published in the September 7 issue of Daily Consular and Trade Reports, Consul-General W. Stanley Hollis, stationed at Beirut, Asiatic Turkey, gives a series of interesting figures relative to the imports and exports at this port during 1911 and 1912. These figures show that during 1911 talking machines to the value of $2,650 were imported at BtSrut while in 1912 this total was practically doubled, the value of these imports reaching the sum of $5,140. Time may be money, but it hangs much more heavily on our hands. SAVES time, space and money. VISIBLE Dustproof, Warpproof. FILING Finding" and Reordering in one-ionrth usual time. SECTIONAL Fits any size business. Floor space 40^" long. Stores 1,200 records. All in easy reach. SIGNALS (Numerical.) Locates every record. Color Signals locate all similar records. SALES Record Eiwelope is a "Watch Dog" for your investment. The "OGDEN" pays for itself in three months. 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