The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. The Trade in the South. VIRGINIA TRADE UNUSUALLY ACTIVE. J. Q. CORLEY DOUBLING WAREROOMS. Higher Priced Machines and Records in Big Demand — Heindl Working to Assist Dealers — "Machines That Play with a Plate." Site Has Been Secured for the Erection of an Addition to Present Warerooms — Will Be Devoted Exclusively to Wholesale Trade. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Richmond, Ya., March 6. — It is astonishing to note the unusual business conditions existing in the talking machine trade of Virginia. Reports from various parts show an unusual scarcity of stock, while the demand is greatly in excess of any pre\ ions year. An interesting feature in connection with the record trade is the fact that the higher priced records are enjoying the center of most activity from a sales standpoint, while the machines selling from $100 to $200 also have a big market. Dealers report very little trouble from a collection standpoint, this being no doubt due to the fact that there is plenty of money in circulation and that the population of the State is getting its share of the present industrial prosperity. Louis A. Heindl, of Walter D. Moses & Co., Richmond, Va., Victor distributer, when interviewed by a representative of The Talking Machine World, stated that at the present time every energy is being utilized for assisting the dealer. "Owing to the shortage of cases," he remarked, "every time we get a shipment we are up against a problem, for we have more orders on hand than the total number of cases received. Many times we are short in our retail department simply to help out a. dealer who has a sale that it is necessary to close, but we are believers in service to the dealer." It seems to be the impression that cylinder records and machines are in great demand among the colored people of the South, but E. Bowman, of C. B. Haynes & Co., of this city, stated that while his house transacts a large business in Edison cylinder records and machines, the colored trade buys very little of this particular class of merchandise. It seems that this trade wants "the machines that play with a plate," and he says that it is seldom that you find anyone of African hue referring to records as being disc records. They are all "plates." Consequently, the sale of Edison Diamond Disc phonographs, for which the Haynes Co. is a wholesale distributer, is big with all classes of trade. Mr. Bowman went on to say that the stock of cylinder records constantly on hand embraces about 40,000, and that the outlying districts, particularly in the farming section, are an excellent market for this class of merchandise. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Richmond/ Va, March 6. — In the minds of the trade there is an association of Richmond and Corley that makes these words synonymous. The ttade will be very glad to know that preparations company also maintains a large warehouse wherein an adequate stock of both pianos and talking machines are stored. "Richmond is excellently situated," said F. W. Corley, "so that it can take care of Victor dealers from the South in an efficient manner. We enjoy fine transportation facilities, and by the plan of co-operation that we utilize in not only securing dealers but in holding their confidence in business, we are enabled to show a rapid growth in sales from month to month." Mr. Corley went on to say that the business situation throughout the South is greatly improved, and his idea is that this will be a banner year. AS AN AID TO THE SHY. J. G. Corley. are now in force whereby the extensive warerooms of the Corley Co. in this city will practically be doubled. Some time ago J. G. Corley, head of this oiganiation, acquired the land running from the back of his present location on Broad street right through to Grace street, the latter rapidly becoming the high-class business street of the city. Ground will be broken in May, and by September 1 it is the expectation of the company to be well settled so that the fall business can be properly handled. With the new addition the entire wareroom will be 300 feet long. The space in the basement is 150 feet long by 60 feet, and the addition gives a space 150 feet long by 30 feet, a total of approximately 14,000 square feet, which will be devoted exclusively to the promotion of the wholesale end of the Corley Victor business, the latter being under the charge of F. W. Corley and Fred R. Kessnich. In addition to the use of this big building the "As I think back," said Aunt Martha, "I wonder how we can ever get along without the phonograph. "We would talk for a time to the shy young man caller about the weather, and then we would discuss the coming church picnic and hope we would have good weather for that, but that about used up our topics of conversation. "It helped a little for me to play two or three pieces on our good, old square piano, but when I swung around on the piano stool — there were not so many piano benches then — we would come to another silent spell ; and then pretty soon the shy young man would say : " 'Well, I guess I'll have to be going now.' "But now," went on Aunt Martha, "why, now when the conversation lags you have the phonograph. " 'Oh, have you heard this ?' you say to the shy young gentleman, and then you put on the disc and crank the machine. "From that time on there is no trouble. In the course of time, when the young man rises to go, you hear not. 'Well. I'll have to be going now,' but this, 'My! I didn't know it was so late,' spoken with animation. He has had a pleasant evening. "Really, it seems to me that to shy young people the phonograph is nothing less than a blessing. I don't know how we ever got along without it." The business man who comes in daily contact with the commercial traveler can have but one opinion of him — respect. DO IT NOW! YOU HAVE CAPITAL INVESTED IN YOUR STOCK. IT WILL BE SECURE IF THE STEVENS BILL PASSES THE NEXT CONGRESS. "The Best South of the Mason and Dixon Line" VICTOR SUPPLIE REPAIRS I SERVICE QUICK DELIVERIES— LOW FREIGHT RATES— DEALER HELPS S^u? MAKE US YOUR VICTOR JOBBER GOOD WHY YOU SHOULD Foreign Records — there's a growing demand in every cosmopolitan community for folk songs of foreign climes. We can supply them in every language, including Chinese and Japanese. The magnitude of our stock enables us to make immediate shipment. The magnitude of our stock enables us to fill your orders without delay — from stock. That counts in turning prospects into sales! Test our SERVICE next time. J* he Qorley Qompany The South's Leading Distributors 213 EAST BROAD STREET, RICHMOND, VA. Victor Repairs — there's tangible profit in this for the dealer. Factory-trained experts and up-to-date equipment puts us in a position to handle your repairs with profit to you.