Classic Mode

Automatic Age

Issue: 1937 December

16
A U T O M A T IC
By
H
u bert
F.
Plans and Predictions For The
1938 Coin Machine Convention
CIGNS that convention time is drawing near
^ are abundant. The show committee is send­
ing out numerous announcements dealing with
the various phases of the convention rules and
regulations. Feverish activity in the engineer­
ing and designing departments of a score of
coin machine factories cannot be disguised, even
though the secrets behind these locked doors re­
main intact. It seems as if we are passing
through that period in the industry when many
manufacturers are hushing their production
and as silently as possible accumulating their
“fireworks” for the convention. As witnessed
by the entire trade this is the quietest season of
the coin machine year. It reminds us of the at­
mosphere that prevails at a surprise party be­
fore the arrival of the honored guest. Previous
to the arrival of the person in whose honor the
party is given everything is quiet and unevent­
ful yet filled with terrific expectancy for the sig­
nal which converts the entire gathering into a
living bedlam.
This year more than ever before there is an
extreme expectancy surrounding the new mod­
els to be introduced at the show. There is confi­
dence that behind the usual glamour of the
show will be significant and vital answers to
current operating problems. Operators who op­
erate amusement machines exclusively depend
upon the ingenuity of manufacturers for their
business future. Manufacturers must use this
power to design machines to help the operator
out of whatever problem he faces.
To win back closed and restricted territory
for the operator is not only an obligation on the
part of the manufacturer, but is his own well
designed formula for future manufacturing suc­
cess.
The parade of new models, new ideas, and
new mechanisms at the 1938 Coin Machine
Show will afford a fine test of engineering abili­
© International Arcade Museum
________
M
A G E
Decem ber, 1937
esse
ty. It will also furnish a lot of needed answers
for improving business conditions for the oper­
ator.
The AUTOMATIC AGE is also awake to the
possibilities that the convention affords. In step
with coin machine progress which makes pos­
sible a greater and finer exposition for 1938 and
with the same spirit and determination which
will enable manufacturers to present still finer
equipment to buyers at the show, AUTOMATIC
AGE promises to out-distance all past efforts
with the 1938 Convention Issue. It will be truly
representative of the great and growing indus­
try it represents. It will probably be very en­
couraging to advertisers to note that the Janu­
ary issue will be in our subscribers hands well
in advance of show time so that the operators
can have a general idea of what they can ex­
pect to see and they can form their plans in ad­
vance as to what booths they will expect to
spend most of their time at. Many other plans
are formulated for the big convention issue to
enable us to publish a magazine that the entire
trade will be proud of. Our news columns will
contain vital and timely editorials, articles from
the industry’s leaders, complete convention in­
formation, interesting cartoons, up to date news
items and pictures, and a host of other attention
compelling features too numerous to mention.
AUTOMATIC AGE will also distribute very
many extra copies that will be sent to a care­
fully selected coin machine buyer’s list in addi­
tion to our regular subscriber’s list that we
proudly possess. The prestige attached to be­
ing represented in this ‘issue of issues’ will be
valuable to everyone concerned.
We now approach the end of another bril­
liant year of coin machine history. It has been
a pretty good year in spite of the obstacles we
all had to face. We are in an industry that is
second to none in the possibilities for a brilliant
future that it offers.
(Continued on page 29)
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Decem ber, 1937
A U T O M A T IC
A G E
17
It’s Time to Take Inventory
By A r t h u r W . L u c h s
S we approach the end of
the year, with the Christ­
mas Holiday season and
all of its mellowness and cheer
before us, it might not be amiss
to indulge in a bit of introspec­
tion, or study of ourselves, and
our machines, and ask our­
selves a few questions. These
questions should concern our
own individual business opera­
tions during the past year. Did
we make the most of our op­
portunities? Did we operate
only modern, up to date, effi­
cient machines, or were we con­
tent to operate broken down,
obsolete and antiquated ma­
chines? Did we attend the coin
show and rub shoulders with
the active, live members of the
industry, who are continually
on the search for new ideas to
improve the type of machines
now existing and the develop­
ment of new models?
Questions of this typo, should
be asked of every operator, by
himself, as he checks over his
business for the past year. The
wide-awake, successful opera­
tor has already taken steps to
complete his inventory along
the lines stated through the
above questions. Constant
study, effort and initiative are
required to be a success in the
coin field, or in any other field.
The practical operator is fully
aware of this. New machines
and new methods are being in­
troduced into the industry, dai­
ly. It is important that every
operator keep abreast of the
A
times. It will mean more mon­
ey to himself and may spell the
difference between successful
operation, or failure.
The winter operating season
is again in full swing. Every op­
erator is naturally interested in
making the season as success­
ful as possible. He should take
a systematic inventory of all
of his machines, studying each
and every one of them. Com­
parative studies should be
made of the machines. Their
income must be considered as
an important factor in this
study. Does the machine earn
its maximum, what does it cost
to operate, what is its depreci­
ation percentage? These are
key questions to be considered
when taking inventory of your
machines. Also, consider the
original cost of that machine,
in comparison to its income and
depreciation.
It is imperative for an opera­
tor to have modern, efficient
operating machines, kept in the
best working condition, and
serviced properly whenever
they are out of order. To do
this, he must be successful in
his business. Notice as you go
about your business, that the
most attractive machines on lo­
cation, are owned by operators
who are successful. The prob­
able answer for this is, that in
order to be successful a man
must apply all of the rules of
business which tend to make
for success. Since it is more or
less a case of survival of the fit­
test, the operator who does not
keep his equipment and meth­
© International A rcade M useum
ods up to the standards which
bring success, will soon find
himself losing his locations.
Therefore, to the wise opera­
tor, it is probably unnecessary
to remind him to take inventory
of himself, his methods and his
machines.
There is no more appropriate
time to take inventory than in
the short time preceding the
1938 Coin Machine Show.
Every operator naturally ex­
pects to attend the show. There
is no more appropriate time to
buy new machines, meet other
operators and swap ideas than
at the annual coin operated ma­
chine show. All of the newest
and latest machines will be on
display - amusement, music,
merchandising and service. The
latest equipment and the last
word in profit making ideas
will be on display for the oper­
ators who attend the show. The
wise operator will be in atten­
dance, with an open mind and
purse, buying new machines,
absorbing new ideas and devot­
ing himself toward the further
improvement of the industry
and its practices.
The purpose of the seasonal
inventory is to cast out old non­
productive machines, absorb
new ideas, and thoroughly re­
establish one’s business along
the new and modern trends
which the industry has devel­
oped. Every operator owes it
to himself and his business to
get in step with the times, or
fall by the wayside. Be guided
by the information which your
inventory uncovers.
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