The talking machine world (Jan-June 1923)

108 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD June 15, 1923 "Superflake" Graphite Spring Lubricant For PHONOGRAPH MOTORS A carefully prepared lubricant containing GRAPHITE of the finest quality Will not get hard, become rancid or leak PACKED IN TUBES, CANS and BARRELS for JOBBERS, DEALERSand MANUFACTURERS SPECIAL GRAPHITE for RECORD MANUFACTURERS Superior Flake Graphite Co. General Offices: 76 West Monroe St. , CHICAGO Department J Warehouse in Chicago RICHMOND Tells Dealers Hoiv Big Sales Are Made — Many Add New Lines — Charles Edison a Visitor — News Richmond, Va., June 9. — The C. B. Haynes Co., Edison distributor of this city, is circularizing dealers in its territory, telling how its retail store sold eleven new Edisons at one crack, spot cash, and suggesting that they might put over the same proposition without any difficulty. The circular explains that thirty merchants of Richmond recently decided to put on a charity contest providing for the award of twelve prizes to that number of charitable institutions of the city. It was agreed that the first prize should be a radio set costing $500, and that the other eleven should be Edison phonographs, with five records each, valued at from $150 to $325. Page advertisements were carried in the local papers with the names of the thiry merchants, explaining that for each purchase made from them tickets would be given at the rate of one vote for each penny spent. The institution getting the largest number of votes will receive the first prize, and the others will receive phonographs valued in proportion to the number of votes credited to each of them. The contest started May 20 and will continue until July 20. Capitalizing the Idea In its circular, the Haynes Co. makes the following suggestion to dealers as to how they might capitalize the same idea: "Simply select a number of charitable institutions, and if necessary include churches, schools and any other deserving public institution. Figure up the cost of the instruments, and add to that amount the cost of fifteen or twenty advertisements which should be run featuring the project. Then get a certain number of other business men to come in on the proposition and divide the total cost into equal parts, each merchant paying his share. "The idea will appeal to local merchants and to the buying public who will do most of their shopping with the particular merchants donating to such a worthy cause and mentioned in each advertisement. Yourself or any other local business man could do the promoting. Perhaps a newspaper man would be the logical promoter. In this event, each merchant could be taxed a little more to pay for the promoter's service. It is a capital idea full of effective advcrli--iii g and a sure nice profit, " Corley Tells of Demand for Victor The Corley Co., Victor distributor, with headquarters here, reports a ready demand for new flat-top models with divided lids, those selling at $150 being the most popular. The bigger and higher priced models are not so much in demand. The Corley Co. finds that business is much better now than it was during the same period last year. There is a shortage on some models, and it is expected this situation will continue throughout the year. A big part of the business is coming from the country districts where farmers are apparently very well off. Conditions are said to be especially improved in North Carolina, money being easier in that State than it has been for several years. New Victor Agency According to reports from Corley dealers the majority of the business results from the personal efforts of salesmen. More and more the salesmen are going after business, especially in the rural sections, where machines are left for trial before the deal is closed. The Corley Co. recently appointed a new dealer in Danville, Va., the firm being the Prix Piano Co. Dealers Add Edison Line The C. B. Haynes Co., Richmond distributor for the Edison, announces the appointment of a new dealer at Lagrange, N. C, namely, Z. B. Creech. It also announces the addition of Frank W. Banner to its traveling salesmen's staff. Mr. Danner has had considerable business experience in Richmond. He expects to make his first trip out on the road some time this month. Frank J. Jordan, Edison dealer in Charleston, S. C, passed through Richmond the other day on his way to New York on a business trip. Charles E. Edison, son of Thomas A. Edison, stopped over in Richmond while en route home from Florida recently with Mrs. Edison. He spent part of his time while in the city conferring with officials of the Haynes Co. as to business conditions. A Successful Dealer Concert A very successful concert, in vi'hich the New Edison phonograph was featured, was held in the college auditorium, Lynchburg, Va., by Oppleman's Specialty Store, of that city. A large audience was secured through carefully prepared invitations sent to a selected list of music lovers. Widespread interest in the Edison, resulting from the concert, was immediately manifested by the securing of a number of live prospects and much free newspaper publicity. The program was arranged with great care, violin, vocal and piano numbers predominating. A recent visitor to the C. B. Haynes Co., Inc., Edison distributor for this territory, was Mrs. Lorena B. Humphrey, manager of the Edison department of W. R. Harrell & Co., Burgaw, N. C, who came to the Richmond headquarters to make a study of the retail sales methods of the C. B. Haynes Co. While here Mrs. Humphrey placed a substantial order for Edison instruments. An extensive direct-by-mail drive in the interest of the Edison recently inaugurated by this live retailer has been instrumental in stimulating business. Pathe Business Growing The Richmond Phonograph Co., Pathe distributor for the South, reports business picking up throughout practically its entire territory. It is anticipating a big sale of the new Pathe model, priced at $200, which is soon to be placed on the market. This is designed for use particularly in public places. HEAVY DEMAND FOR REGAL RECORDS Novelty Records Bring People Into Store and Open Way to Sale of Other Merchandise H! G. Neu, sales manager of the Regal Record Co., Inc., 18 West Twentieth street,New York City, states that Regal dealers report an unusually heavy demand for novelty records in both vocal and instrumental form. The trade is quite pleased with the demand for such merchandise, inasmuch as it indicates a desire to make prompt purchases. A-Ir. Neu states that invariably the retailer looks upon novelty records as sales creators. They bring the prospects into the store frequently and thus the dealer is aided in bringing other merchandise before them. While it is true that standard records have a steady sale, the individual purchases of such merchandise are often postponed. The inducement or lure to make purchases of standard records is not conducive to the "right now" idea. HAPPENED IN GOOD OLD EDINBURGH Harry Macrae, gramophone dealer and World subscriber, of Edinburgh, Scotland, has been good enough to send us the following little story of a current happening in his establishment which we gladly pass along: "It so happens that I have an English assistant in one of my depots who experiences some little difficulty in following the conversation of many of the country people, who are prone to speak in rather broad Scotch. A few days ago such a country couple were asking for the various records, which she was only able to place after consulting with other assistants more familiar with the Scotch brogue. The two customers were studying lists when, in what is a very usual manner in Scotland, one of the customers, instead of asking for a record, • merely stated the title, which happened to be 'Wert Thou in the CauTd Blast.' The assistant, thinking this was perhaps the usual manner in Scotland of inquiring if you had been caught in the rain, immediately replied in the affirmative, adding 'Wasn't it bitter!' " TH&C. B.HAYN&SXO.'Nc Wholesale Distributors Edison Quality A Sixteen Beautiful Designs at NEW PRICES, NOW WITHIN REACH OF EVERY HOME, OFFER EDISON DEALERS UNLIMITED SALES POSSIBILITIES r Write for^Dealer Proposition RlCHMOND,VlRGINlA