MARKETPLACE
VOL. XII, NO. 1
CONFIDENTIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE INDUSTRY
185 NORTH WABASH AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60801
(Phone: 312/726-6799)
JANUARY 15, 1974
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Mfrs laboring under wartime conditions during peacetime. Sound screwey? It is screwey.
Yet, it's also fact. Not even during War II did mfrs have to contend with conditions with
which they're now faced, Prices of raw materials, copper, plastics, steel, etc., etc.,
never before so high and so hard to get. Components of all kinds being ordered just about
a year in advance and prices paid are fantastic. There are mo~e aggravating problems put-
ting together a game, phono or vender today than there were during wartime.
This doesn't take into consideration growing energy shortage, or lack of gasoline to
get new equip't as well as materials to destination via today's transportation. This is
one of the most puzzling situations mfrs have ever faced during peacetime. One mfr had to
close his huge factory for a month waiting for components that were supposed to arrive
moons ago. Others had two and three weeks layoffs over Xmas and New Year holidays while
purchasing agents tried to gather up necessary materials. As one well known executive con-
cluded, "It's unbelievable. Never in our entire history have we been faced with such a
situation." (Hope you get all the new equip't you need until this situation resolved.)
Sing out "Happy Birthday" to: Billy O'Donnell,Jr., Chicago; Franklin Pate, Goldsboro,
N.C.; Earl Veatch,Jr., St.Louis,Mo.; Henry Leyser, Oakland,Cal.; Bob Rickabaugh, Spirit
Lake,Ia.; Morris Marder, Miami Beach,Fla.; Clyde Taylor, Brunswick,Ga.; Courtney Husband,
Laporte,Ind.; Bob Nornholm, Carol City,Fla.; Gene Franklin, Pikeville,Ky.; Joe Gourley,
Crestview,Fla.; Clarence Potter, O'Neill,Neb.; Earl Evans, Colo.Sprgs,Colo.; N. J.Fokakis,
Hattiesburg,Miss.; Mel Pearlman, Cleveland,O.; Suren Fesjian, New York City; J.D.Farris,Jr.
Vicksburg,Miss.; Jack Lovelady,Sr., Atlanta,Ga.; Jules Olshein, Albany,N.Y.; R.F.Jones,
San Francisco,Cal.; Charley Spillane, New Haven,Conn.; Ed Fultz, Newellton,La.; Guido J.
DelSignore, Ft.Edward,N.Y.; Tom Cassiday, Spring Valley,Ill.; Jack Sprott, Temple, Tex.;
Bobby Moor,Sr., Chesapeake City,Md.; Henry Albright, Oswego,Ill.; Fred Pliner, Phila., Pa.
Busiest newlyweds, Pat and Ross Scheer. Ross has become dedicated student of this in-
dustry , Enjoyed most interesting conversation with this very discerning, perspicacious
marketing director for Bally. (And pert, petite, pretty Pat busy making sure Ross gets
all the rest and comfort he needs.) •.• George Muraoka of ACA Sales, Los .Angeles, phones
to tell us all about firm's new 2/3/4-player game. "Which", George claims, "is nothing
short of sensational. And that", he concluded, "is putting it mildly." (Ain't hoid George
rave so in y'ars and y'ars.) . • • Seeburg's Bill Adair back in his Chicago office a:fter
speechifying at Midwest Coin Mach.Show in Omaha, advised, "A most pleasant show." ( Very
lovely way to describe the first effort by Howard Ellis and members of COIN.) ••• Bill
DeSelm, one of the industry's top phone salesman, will soon be hearing more and more of
the salesmen using long distance phones •••• The friendly convention symbol we feature
each year, Art Hebert of Ferndale,Mich., very proud of the fact he was among very first
to call for 50¢ play. The 4-Bits, 2-player video games bearing out Art's contention,
"50¢ play sure to click." ••• Bob Jones of Dedham,Mass., gets us on long distance phone
just as we were closing up our 13th issue and, while printer stood there waiting, Bob
told us all about arcades he was forced to close up due to urban redevelopment and yells,
"I've got 500 pieces for sale, but for quick sale." Our printer heard him, threw up his
hands and agreed to wait couple more hours while this very last ad could get on the
presses. (That's why he's now become known as "Lucky" Jones,) ••• Hi, Zollie Kelman,
Great Falls,Mont., hope you got the extra reprints you wanted. Okay? Okay!
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