The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

22 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD SAN FRANCISCO DEALERS EXPECT BIG HOLIDAY TRADE High Priced Machines in Demand — "Records on Approval" Question Acute — Fine Sonora Quarters — Manager Haydock's Edison Plans — Wiley B. Allen Recitals — Kohler & Chase Control "Talker" Department — New Agencies and Other Changes — News of Month San Francisco, Cal.-, October 3. — Fall business on talking machines and records on the Pacific Coast has opened up splendidly, and all the San Francisco dealers are looking for a specially heavy holiday trade. The demand for the higher-priced machines is exceptionally good, and the best records are also in good demand. Some dealers still have difficulty in getting enough records to meet their running requirements, and a few are short on machines, but on the whole shipments from the factories have improved a little. A matter which is being seriously considered at the present time is that of letting customers take records on approval. The dealers have come to the conclusion, apparently, that this phase of the business has become acute and needs immediate attention. Too many people take records on approval, and then make purchases on so limited scale that the wear and tear on the records returned takes away all the profit on the transaction. It is difficult, of course, to discontinue abruptly a custom such as this, but a few concerns are now taking a determined stand in the matter and others no doubt will follow suit. At the next meeting of the local talking machine dealers' association the subject will be brought up and probably some definite concerted action will be agreed upon. Sonora Phonograph Shop's Handsome Quarters The Sonora Phonograph Shop at 344-346 Geary street is moving to handsomely-equipped new quarters at 109-111 Stockton street, a more central location in the downtown district. The name of the shop has been changed to "The Phonograph Shop" in view of a change in the business policy of F. B. Travers, manager of the company. Hereafter other standard makes of talking machines and records will be carried for sale, arrangements having already been made for selling the complete Columbia line of instruments and records, and also Pathe records. The full Sonora line will, of. course, be handled as heretofore. The new shop is a model of beauty and efficiency. On the main floor is a fine recital hall furnished in the living-room effect and having a seating capacity of fifty or more. There are six sound-proof demonstrating rooms on this floor also, with special lighting and ventilating system. The store is so arranged that seven additional record and sales rooms may be added at any time. A spacious mezzanine floor will accommodate the finishing and repair shop and afford space for display. The office is on the main floor. The color scheme adopted for this new shop is cream and French grey enamel. All the partition walls are modeled after the French window style, and the different room partitions are of plate glass. The architectural design was originated and carried out by F. M. Steers, president of the Sonora Phonograph Co. The wholesale department of the company will still remain under the management of Mr. Travers, and the stock will continue to be carried for this department at 616 Mission street. New Sonora Agencies New agencies established for the Sonora phonograph are: The John Breuner Furniture Co., of Oakland; the McNeil Piano Co., of Stockton; the Bartholomew Drug Co., of Hanford, and O. C. Raudebaugh, of Flagstaff, Ariz. R. P. Haydock Manager of Edison Shop C. W. Davis, who for the past few months has been manager of the Edison Shop in San Francisco, has severed his connection with the firm and returned to his old love, the piano business. He is now with the local branch of the Baldwin Piano Co. R. P. Haydock, for some time associated with the conduct of the Edison Shop, is now the manager succeeding Mr. Davis. Of late the Edison Shop has been putting into effect a policy of not allowing any instruments out for demonstration and also of having no outside solicitors. The shop is not directly in competition with other local Edison dealers, and accordingly is used chiefly as a special demonstrating center for the benefit of dealers and the retail trade. Mr. Haydock has just adopted a new feature in regard to the record department. Patrons desiring records on approval must sign a form which binds them to abide by the following conditions: the records will not be kept longer than twentyfour hours; they will not be loaned to any other than the applicant; they will all be covered except the one being played; they will not be removed from the envelopes and spread on a table while playing; they will not be played with any attachment or on any other machine than the Edison Diamond Disc phonograph; in case of damage to the record from careless manipulation of the diamond reproducer the record will be purchased, the dealer to be the judge in the matter of damage; also, it is agreed to keep not less than one-fourth of the records, and that failure to return any rejected records within twenty-four hours shall constitute a sale. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins, traveling specialists for the Pacific Phonograph Co., will be with the Edison Shop during Edison Week, October 16 to 21, co-operating with the regular force in making the celebration one . of the most successful ever held on the Coast. Kohler & Chase Buy Talker Department Kohler & Chase have bought out the talking machine department, which has hitherto been a concession in their store, and measures are being taken for developing the department in a thoroughly up-to-date and efficient manner. P. H. Beck and his partner, R. Coddingham, the former owners, have retired from the local field, and John Gercovich, for some years associated with the talking machine department of Sherman, Clay & Co., has accepted the post of manager. Victors and Columbias are carried, and all standard records. Mr. Gercovich is planning to make numerous improvements for the better display of stock. First Wiley B. Allen Co. Recital Mrs. G. Norris, who is now in charge of the recitals inaugurated by the Wiley B. Allen Co., held her first recital this month, and over two hundred people attended. The program was exquisitely arranged, the main features being soprano solos, accompanied by the harp or talking machine records. The company is so well pleased with the opening concert that a larger recital hall is being fitted up on the second floor. A. R. Pommer, manager of the Pacific Phonograph Co., has been taking a two weeks' vacation at Del Monte, where the tournament of the Pacific Coast Golf Association was held. O. N. Kruschke, sales manager for the Pacific Phonograph Co., has been to New York on a business trip this month. Byron Mauzy Store Bars Approvals Charles Mauzy, manager of the talking machine departments of the Byron Mauzy store, has adopted a rule that hereafter no records will be allowed out on approval, or be exchanged. He has enlarged the department on the fourth floor, adding a large new demonstrating room and two new record rooms. The department now carries constantly in stock every record in the Victor and Columbia catalog. Charles Mauzy says thus far .the patrons of the store have been well disposed toward the new policy, and he is gratified that business has been appreciably facilitated in other respects, also by reason of the change. SECURE LARGER QUARTERS German-American Talking Machine Co. Lease 325 Lafayette Street for Assembling and Storage — Business Growth Compels this Move Rudolph Kanarek, president of the Independent GermanAmerican Talking Machine Co., Inc., 56 Bleecker street, New York City, reports an unusual demand for the products which are manufactured by his house. He states his firm has just leased the premises at 325 Lafayette street, covering an area of, 5,000 square feet, which will be devoted to assembling and storage. The showrooms, office and shipping department are located at 56 Bleecker street, covering an area of 6,000 square feet. The Majestic Record Corporation, New York, has been chartered with capital stock of $10,000 to manufacture and deal in phonographs, records and commodities. The incorporators are J. C. Reis, R. V. Schoenfeld and D. Green. WE HAVE TWO GOOD THINGS VICTOR RECORDS AND AMERICAN SERVICE YOU MR. DEALER NEED THEM BOTH. YOU KNOW WHAT "VICTOR RECORDS" ARE (NONE BETTER) AND WE CAN SHOW YOU WHAT AMERICAN SERVICE IS (NONE BETTER) SEND US THAT VICTOR RECORD ORDER. YOU NEED US AND WE NEED YOU AMERICAN TALKING MACHINE COMPANY 368 LIVINGSTON ST. BROOKLYN, N. Y.