Classic Mode

Marketplace

Issue: 1975 July 30

MARKETPLACE
The distributor continues as the most important link in the marketing chain. It has
been his acceptance of, and salesmanship for the smaller mfr, that has kept.these mfrs
in business. It has been his very liberal financing that has helped operators to pro-
gress. It has been his complete dedication to this industry that has helped to advance
many programs that would, otherwise, have died aborning. He has helped many and many an
operator remain in business thru very dark times. In fact, he has been very much involved
in the personal lives of many of his customers by helping financially to buy homes, cars,
even paid hospital bills. Since '34, when the title "distributor" replaced that of "job-
ber", he has helped build the industry. Whatever would operators do without distributors?
(Could go on for pages about the importance of distributors in this industry. Feel even
the above few words definitely answer those who have questioned the role of or need for
distributors today.)
Would very much like to fulfill all requests for extra copies of all 4 issues of past
"Pictorial History" edition that appeared in March, April, May, June,'75 issues of "Mar-
ketplace". Sorry to report ve have already run out of some issues. (Suggest contacting
operators, distribs, mfrs who don't save "Pictorial History" editions.) ••• George E.
Laibe of Ketchum, Idaho, reports he is researching for book he plans to write on coin
operated amusements •••• Big 21 gun salute to Bally's pres., Bill O'Donnell, who took
Bally from $6 million sales in '64 to $158 million in '74. Plus 4,000 employees and over
5,000 stockholders. (Remind us to give you the figures 5 years from today. That'll be
Bally's 50th anniversary year.) ••• Wonder is Al Castle,Jr. of Kileen,Tex., has obtained
the schematics of video games he needed? ••• Would like to hear from Jerry Allen of Phoe-
nix,Ariz., what he tho't about June 30 issue of "Marketplace".
~. Kirk McKennon,
Bloomington,Minn., hov you like Part 4 of "Pictorial History"?
Social Security Tax will go up to 6.35% from present 5.85% and include incomes up to
$16,500 from present $14,100 which means maximum tax for 1976 vill rise to $1,047.55 for
both employers and employees. The AFL-CIO will combat this increase by demanding wages
be raised vell above this hike.(Operators should point up this increase to locations as
one more reason for 1/3-1/3-1/3 conunish basis.) ••• Fina.I notice from U.S.District Court
for Eastern District of Wisconsin that Milwaukee Coin Industries,Ltd., also known as MCI,
Ltd., has been "duly adjudged a bankrupt" •••• Speculation rife by political writers of
"Omaha World-Herald" that Mayor Edvard Zorinsky will run for U.S.Senate from State of
Nebraska. "The thing I have to resolve is whether to go back to the family (vending) busi-
ness", Mayor Ed Zorinsky is reported to have stated. He'll make decision this Fall season.
Business gifts must not only be strictly documented to be deductible but Tax Court has
ruled that any expensive gift over S25 only the $25 would be allowed as a deduction ••••
Proposed merger of Coffee-Mat Corp and Flagstaff Corp will be contested by Coffee-Mat
shareholders who claim to represent 130,000 Coffee-Mat shares and who call themselves the
"Coffee-Mat Shareholders Protective Committee" •••• Foremost-McKesson,Inc., San Francisco,
report their "Aqua-Vend", coin operated water dispenser, proved successful in southern
Calif. Firm now plans to expand "Aqua-Vend" into east and southeast and into selected
cities in central and southwestern states.
Sad to report, many an operator is caught with his video games down. Some have been
down for weeks. Especially where mechanics puzzled by solid state. Service engineers
like Midway's Andy Ducay report bigger audiences wherever he conducts Service Seminars.
In the meantime, many mechanics have set up repair firms and are doing a whale of a bus-
iness repairing and revamping games shipped to them from miles away •••• Another answer
to the growing need for better trained and more knowledgeable mechanics is to send young
helpers to such a school as Cal's Coin College in Nicoma Park,Okla. Cal's won a grand
reputation for training young men in the highly specialized, skilled art of repairing
coingames. (You can reach Cal by calling: 405/769-5343.)
WHAT BETTER PLACE THAN THE .. MARKETPLACE ..
MARKETPLACE
P~ULY30.1975
-...we
The shock of the big and beautiful Eden Roe Hotel of Miami Beach,Fla.., going broke
this past June may yet prove a blessing in disguise. Already many staid and stolid busi-
nessmen, officials and citizens who never before openly voiced opinions, agree that a
gambling casino would not only have kept the Eden Roe open but would have benefitted all
Miami Bea.ch. If this opinion gathers full and powerful force among the people who reside
on the Beach, regardless of the present governor and all state laws, in due time there
will be gambling casinos on Mia.mi Bea.ch.
Not just the company, but the company's officials a.re liable for unsanitary conditions
at the firm's facilities. So ruled the U.S.Supreme Court •••• In addition to savings and
loans accepting deposits of business corporations, partnerships and other profit ma.king
organizations, savings accounts up to $100,000 expected to be permitted by member banks
of the Federal Reserve Board •••• John P. Connell of Burlington,Ont.,Canada, started in
the coinbiz in 1 43 working for his father-in-law, W. G. (Bill) Fielding. (Not only was
Bill Fielding one of the pioneers of Ca~da's coinbiz, John, but one fine and honorable
gentleman in his dealings in the U.S. as well as thruout Canada. Yes, John, we were well
acquainted with your late father-in-law, Bill Fielding.)
Happy summertime dinner with pretty, perky Pat and Ross Scheer. Ross just back from long
biz trip, supposed to rest up for few days but, after lazy weekend, decides to return to his
office at Bally rather than let mail and phone calls accumulate in pile on his desk ••••
Philadelphia mint started releasing millions of Bicentennial quarters and half-dollars 7/7/75.
Quarters feature George Washington with a drummer boy on the flip side. Same mint has also
started producing millions of Bicentennial dollars to be released Jan.'76. (Wonder if someone
will produce Dollar Play game to be released same time as new dollar coins?) ••• Thanks to
good friend, Jules Zimberoff, Niles,Ill., for thinking about how to help us save printing
money •••• Very nice letter from Ng Cham Chuen of North Point, Hong Kong, who seeks informa-
tion on games that can no longer be featured in most of U.S •••• Dr. Daniel Hoffman of Peoria,
Ill., quite excited over "Collectors' Society" proposed in "Marketplace". Has come up with very
fine suggestions. (Hope to be able, in due time, to notify you whether this proposal has proved
effective and sufficient number of collectors have joined up, Doctor.)
Some years ago, the first record payola scandal came into being. This downgraded the
so-called top 10, top 50, top 100 records of supposed public preference thruout the na-
tion, bringing great suspicion to such record charts. After an investigation it seemed
this mess had been cured. Instead, two years ago, an even greater cry of record payola
was heard. Now, after 2 years of Federal investigation, many have been indicted and this
latest record payola scandal will soon be in the Federal courts creating glaring head-
lines. (For years music operators have been urged to discard the record charts. To study
each of their locations and to do their own careful programming. Those who have done so
have boosted income from locations. This latest payola scandal assures these music opera-
tors they were right in discarding the use of record charts for programming their juke-
boxes.) ••• By October 1, House Ways & Means Committee will present first installment of
tax reform. Many tax shelters expected to be ousted. Minimum tax sure to be raised. Hore
simplified tax return will help some and bomb others. Many present deductions, like con-
vention travel outside U.S., medical expenses, state and local taxes on gasoline will be
made harder to get. Present tax reduction act will probably be extended. Second tax re-
form installment expected in Nov. (Of course, all up to Congress. But you can bet on big
flood of tears from many all over the U.S.)
What's the most outstanding problem in the industry today where you are concerned? ls
it financing, inferior equip't, repairs and parts delays, vicious competition holding up
progressive adjustment? Whatever it is, would like to hear from you vho are out on the
industry's firing line. The one way to solve a problem is to bring it into the open.
(Write today to: Marketplace, 185 N. Wabash, Chicago, Ill. 60601.}
WHAT BETTER PLACE THAN THE "MARKETPLACE"

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