Classic Mode

Marketplace

Issue: 1975 February 28

MARKETPLACE
PAGE 39
UARY 28, 1975
.........
"Editor Chica.go American, Chica.go, Ill. - What would you sa.y was the biggest and most
prosperous convention held in Chica.go? It's not autos, steel or bankers. The only indus-
try that has never asked for government relief.
"Frank Bering, manager of the Sherman Hotel, says it's the only convention that paid
their room rent since '29. It's the slot ma.chine convention. Ma.nufa.cturers and opera.tors
of those games where you put in a. nickel, pull the lever and play marbles with yourself.
It's replaced golf, bridge, Kelly pool a.nd the New York Stock Exchange for exercise a.nd
gambling.
"Your next ambassadors and senators are coming right from this business for they got
the po litical campaign dough.
"They are showing 'em here that have lunchwagon attachments where you can play twenty-
four hours a da.y. Ve will win the next war in a walk if they let us shoot marbles at "em.
Yours, Will,"
(The above was the column of the late great humorist, Will Rogers, Feb,21, 1935. He hap-
pened to check into the Sherman Hotel in Chicago while the '35 convention was under way.
His column appeared in hundreds of newspapers all over the nation. You've got to admit,
you've come a long way, baby, since that column was written.)
Daniel N. Winter, pres. of MCI,Ltd., Milvaukee,Yis., sends sad letter (1/9/75) advis-
ing "MCI is going out of business." ••• Jack Davidson, Bro oklyn,N.Y., has turned his
stamp vender into horoscope machine to vend tickets a.t 25¢ and 50¢ •••• Thanks to Ron
Rego of Rob't Jones Int'l, Dedha.m,Mass., for keeping us informed of this firm's doings.
Herb Perkins of Chicago mails us video game story that appeared in "Los Angeles
Times' (1/3/75). Much appreciated, Herb, Many such newspaper items appearing all over
the country. Some fr om sharp promoters hustling new blood a.nd with sa.d results. (FTC now
checking the "Biz Opportunity" ads of such firms.) ••• Wha' hoppen to Marv Roth of ole
Vilkes-Barre,Pa.? Ain't hoid a woid from Marvin. ••• (Aside to Hymie Zorinsky: Yhen are
you moving into your new bulding in Omaha?) Candy vendors are now looking at "1-Bar 2-Bits"
and right in the eye. In fact, that's expected to be retail price - very soon.
Have been asked to compose a "Pictorial History" edition for "Marketplace" featuring
counter games of the early '30s. With the fact that counter games have practically dis-
appeared, it could prove of good value to the ingenious to look over some of the 40 year
old counter games. After all, everyone today all over the nation, is deluged with sales
tax pennies. Just a few months ago the U.S.Treasury was begging one and all to turn in
pennie s due to the crucial shortage that developed when price of copper zoomed. In addi-
tion t o pennies so many coins sliding over counters at cash registers, 4-vay play counter
games accepting 1¢/5¢/10¢/25¢ coins, priced low, could prove exceptionally profitable.
Por t nat important reason plan to present this "Pictorial History" edition.
..
Ba l l gum vendors, whether they like it or not and as predicted here moons a.go, includ-
ing those now charging 2¢ per gum ball, may as well get stickers made up for their ma.ch-
ines to read, "2 for 5¢". (Price of gum going up again.) • • • Felix Whatley now up in
Jack3onville,Fla., with Bobby DeClemente. Which puts a very grand sales team back together
again •••• Bill (Doc) Whitcomb of Peach State , Columbia,S.C., has just challenged us for
the golf championship of the "Duffers of America". We both have a 10 handicap - 10 per
hole •••• Mike Busko of Oswego County Amusement, Fulton, N.Y., mailed us a picture of
himself and his friend, Joe Louis, standing alongside an old and very attractive "Regina
Corona" antique coin operated phono that used huge brass disks. Joe Louis is a mechanical
whiz . Picked up this antique Regina from the turn of this century at an auction and put
it b&ck in 100% working condition. He values it at $5,000. What Mike can't get over is
the "act, "It really works on a nickel!" (Ve 've shown a few old Regina.a in a "Pictorial
History" edition some years ago, We'll picture this one a.t very first opportunity.) •••
For the benefit of some in the industry obsessed by fear of fear, when he was 90 Andrew
Carnegie advised, "When I was a young man I worried about everything. None of vhich ever
came to pass."
MARKETPLACE
PAGE 31,
9 RY
28, 1975
........
~.
Gasoline with around 10¢, maybe even more, tacked on per gallon can prove an overhead
blockb~ster for m~ny.operators. Yet, seems quite a few operators prefer high cost compared
to stric~ gas rationing. New York state operator, who went to 60/40 commission basis some-
time ago reports he has already advised locations he'll have to cut to 70/30 if gasoline
goes up dime or more per gallon so he can continue to give top service. Very few protests,
he reports, from locations. Marginal spots, especially those a long way from home base
will have to be let go. In fact, due to today's high servicing expense, many have alre~dy
cut away all marginal locations. Operators must locate closer to home base. Wrote about
closer to home base operating when energy crisis first came into being. Was backed up by
fervent letter from Irv Sandler of Minneapolis published here at that time as well as by
letters from others all over the country. (Would now like to hear from operators as to
their plans re: higher cost and/or gas rationing. Write today to: Marketplace, 185 North
Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60601.)
11
U.S.1'ews & World Report" business magazine (page 33, 1/27/75 issue) pictures game
room in basement at University of Maryland when student union reports it is earning as
much as $1,500 per week from pins, hockey games, etc. (Ties in with report in this issue
regarding great growth of "game rooms" in many locations which are considered integral
part of ~ini-arca.de boom now sweeping the country.) ••• If ou or our association is
attacked over radio or TV remember there's a "personal attack rule" by FCC .Federal Com-
munications Comm.) that requires a radio or TV station to inform persons or groups of an
attack it has aired against them and to provide a copy of the broadcast as well as an in-
vitation to reply •••• The 9 months report of Coffee-Mat Corp. shows sales of over $7
million compared to over $9 million for same period in '73. Net income for these past 9
months was $867,000 compared to $1,680 ,000 same period '73. Per share earnings fell to
54¢ compared to 99¢ for same period '73.
Not strange at all to find leading opera.tors becoming more independent where locations
concerned. Was in office of leading operator when location phoned. Seems location was
much upset vender all dirty, even tho serviceman had been there just few days before this
phone call. Operator held up conversation while he called for location's file card. After
glancing at ca.rd told location owner, "Look, my friend, from what we're getting from your
spot we can't afford to send a man over to just wipe the ma.chine clean. Why not cooperate?
You have a porter, let him wipe and shine the ma.chine. Tell you what", this opera.tor sud-
denly remarked, "see if you can get yourself another opera.tor. Since we've operated your
place for some yea.rs, I promise to keep our ma.chine there until you can find someone
else." (Take had fallen to below $16 per week gross . And where vending concerned profit
in such instance is infinitismal.}
Dime Pla o era.tors on
"1-Pla.y 2-Bits" who split
Split 50/50 location gets
2-Bits" bring in gross of
tion gets S75 or 50% more
opera.tor gets i175 on his
50 50 a.re giving locations 50'% less money than do operators on
70 JO. For example: 1,000 plays at 10¢ bring gross of $100.
$50 and opera.tor earns $50. Very same 1,000 plays at "1-Pla.y
$250. That's 150'% more money than Dime Play. Split 70/30 loca-
money on his 30% share than he got on Dime Play at 50/50. The
70'% share or 250% more than he earned on 10¢ play. (Think!)
Very sad the fa.ct so many opera.tors have forsaken signing up their locations to legal
location agreements. For many yea.rs opera.tors wouldn't take on a new location without
first arranging for a legal location agreement. This neglect has brought down the big
vendors who, with lots of ca.sh in their pockets, have gobbled up one location after the
other. What happened in Albuquerque,New Mex. and Ja.cksonville,Fla.. is only the beginning.
Other areas a.re also now starting to feel this drive to obtain music and games locations
by these desperate men. (Make sure every location you treasure is signed up with a legal
location agreement. )
Write today to: Marketplace, 185 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60601.

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