The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

58 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. PLENTY OF MONEY IN DETROIT FOR TALKING MACHINES. Optimism Prevails Based Upon Splendid Business Showing — Holiday Business Will be Enormous — Wallace Brown in Enlarged Quarters — J. L. Hudson Co. Celebrates — Henry Shea to Have Charge of Pathephone Store — Exhibitors at Michigan State Fair. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Detroit, Mich., October 8. — The talking machine business in Detroit for the month of September received more than its usual allotment. Based on what the dealers report, the month was far ahead of any previous September, and there was more than the usual amount of cash buying. While all of the stores encourage "payments to suit" as well as purchases on the instalment plan, getting all of the cash on delivery of the machines seemed to be quite an ordinary thing during the past thirty days. The only reason for this, according to dealers, is the prosperity of the city — the fact that everybody is working and optimistic. As for optimism, there never was a time when that spirit prevailed more generally than at present. Making the rounds of the retailers, both large and small, The World correspondent failed to run across one single report that was inclined to be pessimistic. The first nine months of this year have certainly been good for business, and the next three months will be better than any of the previous ones. October has already started out very actively, and, based on past experience, November and December will be the best months of the year. There isn't one possible reason why holiday business this year on talking machines should not be record-breaking. Detroit is certainly prosperous ; it is a fact that the city was never more prosperous. Everybody is busy; all of the factories are up to their capacities ; real estate is active ; building permits are increasing; bank deposits were never greater, and people are inclined to spend money. A number of retailers told The World that already they have had orders for machines for holiday trade, which is a trifle earlier than last year. While everybody selling talking machines and records will get their share of the orders placed, the firms that advertise and go after business are bound to get more than the firm that "sits tight" and says, "We don't have to advertise." Wallace Brown, of 31 East Grand River avenue, is now doing business in his enlarged quarters. As mentioned last issue, Mr. Brown leased the adjoining store, which doubled his own quarters. He has been able to increase his facilities in every respect, and his service to the trade is now better than ever. Mr. Brown has started a very active publicity and advertising campaign, and is calling attention to the fact that he is the "only exclusive retail distributer of Edison diamond disc" phonographs in Detroit. Once before we stated that Mr. Brown wrote his own advertisements. They are so good that they have been liberally copied. Recently, however, Mr. Brown started to copyright his best advertisements. As for business conditions, Mr. Brown reports that they are entirely satisfactory. The best evidence that business must be good is the fact that he has increased his facilities. The J. L. Hudson Co. held the greatest event in its history from September 16 to 21. It was the occasion of the thirty-fourth anniversary of the Hudson store. Special merchandise was placed on -ale and thousands of dollars were spent in advert'sing. The first day of the sale showed a total business of over $133,000. There were bargains in practically every department, even in the piano. But in the talking machine department E. K. Andrew, the manager, was "up against it," so to speak. Nevertheless, he seemed to benefit as the result of the thousands who came to the Hudson store, and his business during the five days of the sale was exceedingly good, particularly on records. A plan is on foot to perfect in Detroit an association of salesmen to be affiliated with the International Salesmen's Association. 'Several meetings FALL IN JOIN THE ARMY OF NYOIL DEALERS AND YOU WILL SHARE Let Us Submit Our Latest Proposition WM. F. NYE, New Bedford, Mass. have been held at the Detroit Board of Commerce to perfect such an organization. Applications for membership are being received from every man who is interested in selling, regardless of the nature of his position or employment. Quite a number of talking machine salesmen of Grinnell Bros., the J. L. Hudson Co., Max Strasburg Shop and others have attended all of the meetings held thus far. The Rex Talking Machine Co. has engaged in business with an authorized capital stock of $25,000, of which amount $12,500 has been subscribed and $5,000 paid in in cash. Stockholders : Moses Aronson, George H. Prentis and Benj. F. Mulford. The J. L. 'Hudson Co. for the first week in October advertised a "Victrola Exhibition," displaying more than 100 Victrolas in mahogany, Circassian walnut and six different finishes of quartered oak. Phonograph Cabinets for the Trade Design No. 150 Made in Mahogany and Circassian Walnut <]f We manufacture a complete line of cabinets in designs suitable for instruments retailing from $15.00 to $250.00. (J We have had a large experience in building phonograph cabinets and we are equipped to install motor sets furnished to us and test and ship the Phonographs ready for use. (JWe can also furnish complete phonographs with our customers trade name, attaching labels furnished to us. Century Cabinet Company 25 West 45th Street New York City