MARKETPLACE
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NEWSLETTER
PAGE 9, JUNE 30, 1973
Oh Say-
Cari GTuu See
Oh say can :,•ou see what's happening thruout the industry? What's going on with such
unusual, mysterious and puzzling illogicality?
For example, top manufacturers are actually overordered. Can't meet overseas demand
from both Eu.rope and Asia. Can't fill the orders from their U.S. distributors.
Leading distributors, in turn, advise their showrooms and stockrooms are bare. That
new machines go out as fast as they arrive. That no late model used machines are avail-
able. Yet, many and many a distributor isn't meeting his bills the way he should.
Operators are amazed at the income they're enjoying. Many report take exceeds even
their wildest expectations. Yet, operators aren't paying their bills the way they should.
•
Oh say can you see what's happening? That operators are actually giving their money
away. Giving away the runaway inflation dollars, the devalued dollars, the dollars they
earn today, giving these away to their locations.
No intelligent producer of any item from which locations profit, no food, no beverage,
no appliance, no item whatsoever, pays locations 5ofo commission.
Only the operators in this industry have retained one of the saddest methods of the
greatest business depression in the history of this nation. For over 40 years operators
have paid 5Cf% commission regardless of how drastically, how revolutionary business met-
hods have changed over the years.
..
Over 40 years ago operators paid $12.50 for a pinball game. $28.50 for a slot machine.
$8.50 for a non-payout counter game. There were no social security payments. Income tax
was so low few ever reached up to the point of paying. No license fees. No occupational
taxes. Very, very few sales taxes of 1¢ existed. Phonos could be purchased for $250.
Records were 12¢ each. Parts and supplies, even tubes, were so low in cost few juke box
operators even considered these overhead. And most impressively important, the U.S.Dollar
was worth 100 full, honest American cents in purchasing power value. Tho pleaded with and
urged not to, operators could afford to pay 5ofo commission 40 years ago.
Today, the U.S.Dollar is worth less than 20¢ in purchasing power value. And runaway
inflation is under way. Prices of new equip ' t of all kinds are at the highest marks in
all the history of this industry - and going higher. Federal, state and local taxes
take 36¢ out of every earned dollar - and more and higher open and hidden taxes are on
the way. In addition, shortages of all kinds are creeping into everyday life - portending
black markets. How can any businessman con tinue in the same fashion he did 40 years ago?
"2-Bits" play today is actually and f a ctually 5¢ Play! How long before operators realize
they can't meet their bills because t hey ' re giving away their profits? Isn't it high time
for a changeover to 3Cf% commission plus a "service charge" so the operator can survive?