Marketplace

Issue: 1974 July 30

MARKETPLACE
NEWSLETTER
PAGE 10, JUL y 30, 1974
&Jreco Brothers
Amusement <90., Inc.
DISTRIBUTORS OF PHONOGRAPHS -
JULES OLSHEIN, Mgr.
POOL TABLES -
VENDING AND AMUSEMENT GAMES
1160 BROADWAY -
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12204
Phone (5181 465 -0228
May 30, 1974
Bill Gersh
Marketplace
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Bill:
Looking at your "Pictorial History" pages makes me both sad and glad.
I'm glad because I'm still here and can remember most all of the games
pictured. Sad because the years have gone by so fast.
I've been connected with the coin machine business since I was a kid
of 17. Even before that, I was servicing the Yu-Chu ball gum machines
working with Henry Seiden who was my brother-in-law.
I also remember watching Henry's brother, Herman Seiden, build the first
automatic payout unit for a pingame. I believe it was installed in a pin
game called, "Airway". I remember that I crated the machine very, very,
very carefully, shipped it via Railway Express to Chicago and insured it
for $5,000.00. In those days this amount was like $20,000 and the freight
company handled it like it was pure gold. Henry went to Chicago to sell
the idea. Mills refused it. Bally bought it. What memories.
I was surprised to see my letter reprinted in a previous issue of "Mar-
ketplace". I hope that the operators will make a sincere attempt to con-
trol percentages to locations. It is easy to foresee that, in the not
too distant future, all games like pinball will exceed the $1 ,000 figure
costwise for, with practically eve-ry new release, there has been a price
increase. If this does happen the operator will be forced to make the
percentage change in commission in spite of himself.
Thank:'s for listenin'!
0
MARKETPLACE
NEWSLETTER
PAGE 11, JULY 30, 1974
DEALER IN LEAOINO MAKES OF
MAIN OFFICE: MIAMI , FLORIDA
()=::=::=::=::=::=::=::==:C:O:l:N==:M:A:C:H:IN=::E:S==:=:==:==:=::=:=::::
2451 N . W . 77TH TERRACE
TllLllf'HOIU
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33147
696-6100
June 17, 1974
Mr. Bill Gersh
Marketplace
185 N. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, Ill. 60601
Dear Bill:
What a question to ask. or course we want "One Convention - One Irx:lustry"
but, if we can•t get that yet, because some still feel "holier than thou", let•s
at least run conventions concurrent to each other, especially when both conventions
are being held in the same city.
'nlere is no longer any doubt whatever that, some day arx:l maybe sooner than
many expect, the coin machine irx:lustry will again come together as "one irx:lustry".
Finally decide to again have "one organization 11 • The men who split the irx:lustry into
two organizations are long gone. Furthermore, from the largest to the smallest, op-
erators a.re engaged in all divisions. In short, today you operate what can bring you
a profit, whether it•s vending, music, games, whatever.
Just think of the waste of time arx:l expense involved flying from Miami to
Chicago to attend the NAMA convention on October 17 arrl then, after barely getting
a breathing spell at home, having to fly back up to Chicago 10 days later to attend
the MCA oonvention on November 1. 'nlis is a most outstarx:ling example of oostly in-
efficiency. No intelligent operator, distributor or manufacturer would allow such
inef.f'ioienoy arx:l expense to accrue to his customers by his own organization.
We are definitely at a crossroads. To atterx:l one convention arx:l not the
other, especially in the same city, makes us look like we•re not being a frierx:l.
Like we•re high hatting many people we know arx:l respect. So at this time I've
deoided to stay away from the conventions altogether. I know other operators here
in Miami feel the same way I do. With general corx:litions what they are, we•re not
going to sperx:l the kind of money it'll take to attend 2 conventions in 1 city 10
days apart.
In conclusion, and I know most operators will agree with me, we'll see arx:l
read all about the MCA convention in "Marketplace" anyway. What we•re going to miss
is to be able to again say "hello" to so many people we know arx:l have known f'or maey
years from all over the country. So you say 11 hello 11 for me and tell them I•m still
happy, still healthy arrl still enjoying Miami's sunshine. Maybe next year when they
arrange to have both conventions in the same city, same days, I•ll be there.
Sincerely yours,
I

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