The talking machine world (Jan-June 1925)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD April IS, 1925 Improvement in the Demand for Talking Machines Is Felt in the Detroit Field Betterment in Labor Situation Seen as a Forerunner of Business Gains — Radio Demand Brings Up Sales Volume — Tie-Ups by Dealers Also Have Favorable Effect on Business Detroit, Mich., April 7. — Talking machine business has shown some improvement locally and throughout the State but it is still below normal, comparing figures for the first three months of this year with the same period of 1924. Prominent dealers do not know just why conditions should be so unsettled as industrially Detroit is much better off than most cities. For the past four weeks the labor situation has improved and more people are employed but it may be that people are investing their savings in real estate, or radio, which naturally would affect talking machine sales. When we say that business is off it does not necessarily follow that the retailer's business is off because in many stores the additional business being done this year on radio will bring total sales to the point where they even exceed last year for the first three months. The tremendous advertising campaign by the Victor Co. and the local dealer co-operation was brought to a close last week. It stirred up a lot of prospects and some of the downtown dealers put on a special force of canvassers during the campaign, which proved successful. Effective Tie-ups With Radio Programs Grinnell Bros, and the J. L. Hudson Co., both talking machine dealers, invited the public to listen-in and enjoy the Victor radio concert given the last week in March. The concert was heard in the recital halls of both stores and needless to say they were crowded, the public being quick to respond to the invitation. Jean Goldkette's Victor Recording Orchestra, which plays in the Graystone Ballroom as well as the Book-Cadillac Hotel, was an attraction at recital hall of Grinnell Bros, store recently and the following week was heard at the J. L. Hudson Music Store. Both affairs, were, of course, free to the public. And it was good publicity for the records of these artists as they have been selling quite actively. Miss M. M. Davis, representing the educational department of the Victor Co., addressed the members of the Vortex Club at one of their March noonday luncheons on "The Decadence of Jazz." Artonian Co. to Add Brunswick The Artonian Piano Co., Grand River avenue, near Bagley, has taken an adjoining store, and will install a complete line of Brunswick phonographs as well as the combination radio-phonographs, records, etc. This new Brunswick store will take the place of the Doran Phonograph Co., which was a Brunswick dealer, and which recently quit business. Brunswick Sales Gain Manager Quinn, of the Brunswick Shop, says that total sales for the first three months are showing a slight gain over last year. "There is an improvement in business" he said. "True, it has not been all that we expected in March, as we looked for business to take a big jump, but we believe it is going to come soon. We have the fullest confidence in the stability of the talking machine business but believe that the combination phonograph is the musical instrument of the future. The trade-ins are no doubt quite a problem and there is also the matter of giving service on the combination phonographs, which is very essential, but they are not so serious for the downtown store which gets the volume of such business. We find collections about normal; people are paying their bills quite satisfactorily." Sam Lind Optimistic Sam Lind, of the S. E. Lind Co., dealing as Michigan distributor in the Adler-Royal line, has had good business the first three months of this year and is about the most optimistic jobber in this territory. He contends that "Business is what you make it. I know dealers doing better than ever and others not doing as well but in sizing up who the dealers are I can readily understand why this is so and why it lias always been that way." Thompson Representative Holds District Meetings Harold C. Griffith, executive representative of the R. E. Thompson Mfg. Co., held a successful dealers' meeting in conjunction with the C. B. Haynes Co., Inc., of Richmond, Va., exclusive State distributor for Thompson neutrodyne receivers and loud speakers. The C. B. Haynes Co. has for many years successfully distributed Edison phonographs and has done outstanding work in promoting interest in music, particularly among the schools. Mr. Griffith also visited the Buehn Phonograph Co., Pittsburgh; the Columbia Phonograph Co., Ltd., Toronto; Thomas J. Northway Co., Rochester, and the Conduit Electric Supply Corp., Syracuse, holding district meetings with the distributors in each locality. Fada for Royal Palace The extremely good results secured by a Fada receiving set operating close to Station 2LO, London, has resulted in negotiations with the royal palace of Amsterdam for the installation of a Fada radio receiver. With Station 2LO broadcasting at three kilowatts the Fada receiver was able to get almost every station in the British Isles and on the Continent. The wave length of the stations received varies from 265 to 530. That dealer best serves himself who best serves his patrons. Selling reputable radio specialties that make good by efficient performance makes reputation for the dealer who sells them. 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