Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
S~\ UR attention has recently been called to communications sent
^-^
by the heads of departments of one piano manufacturing
'""THERE is no reasonable doubt but that the advantage of a one-
*
price system in the retail department of piano selling is more
concern to workmen in another factory offering them steady work
firmly fixed in the minds of the dealers than ever before.
For
at slightly increased wages over those that they are at present re-
many years we have consistently kept the advantage of this prin-
ceiving.
ciple in an argumentative way before our readers.
There is always a difficulty in establishing new manufacturing
The adoption of the one-price system will, after a while, be-
plants, remote from centers where the supply of labor is plentiful
come just as universal in piano selling as in other lines of mer-
and one of the chief difficulties is in securing the necessary number
chandising.
of skilled hands. The inclination is therefore strong to offer tempt-
established business landmarks, but the march of progress will re-
ing baits to those near by. The result of this, however, will natu-
move them.
rally be to create a spirit of resentment on the part of those whose
healthfulness of business conditions, and the one-price system means
employees received alluring notices.
in plain English, business honesty—that kind of honesty that will
They probably will retain
their men at advanced cost, even if they lose money by so doing.
Such methods have a tendency to disorganize existing con-
They cannot exist when they are a menace to the
help every piano man who adopts it because it will increase the
confidence of the public in his establishment.
Increase of confidence means increase of business, and that
ditions and to foment trouble between employers and employees.
It certainly does not seem fair or dignified for one manufacturer
For a while we may fight against the removal of old
means dollars.
to sow the seeds of discontent among the employees of another.
Of course—the one-price system will win.
HICAGOANS directly interested in the retailing of pianos
do not look with serious apprehension upon the advent of
\ \ THAT
^ ™
a wonderful transformation is taking place in piano
establishments all over America!
When we go back for
As
a decade and a half and compare the old, dark, unattractive rooms
a matter of fact there is no center in the United States, 01 in the
with the aesthetic establishments of to-day, the comparison at once
world, for that matter, which is such a vast retailing center as
shows that piano selling has kept pace with everything else.
the department store as a piano distributing factor in that city.
Within two blocks on Wabash avenue more pianos are
We know of some instances where men have refused to trans-
sold annually, many times over, than in any other district of sim-
form their establishments so that it should conform with modern
ilar area in the world.
conditions.
Chicago.
retailers.
Manufacturers in that city graduated from
One man in particular.
They not only have witnessed the growth of piano sell-
His entire place for years had a run-
ing from small inceptions, but they have played important parts
down effect, and its clientele was steadily lessened by this inatten-
in its development.
tion on his part to appearance and facilities.
They became great manufacturers, the larg-
est in point of output in the world, and they know their business.
It was an old name
and at one time commanded a prominent position.
It has recently
changed hands and now under its new management has been
HERE is not one point in the retailing of pianos which has been
T
overlooked by the virile, active, energetic men composing the
piano forces of Chicago.
They are well buttressed around with
strength of all kinds, including financial and all that goes with it.
They figure that they can meet the department store 'on the ques-
tion of prices, on the question of advertising, and in all other ways
of exploiting pianos.
brought to an up-to-date condition, which will result in bringing
about a vastly increased patronage.
it is to regain trade than it is to maintain it.
any line, but with all their conceded strength, will they be able
to prevent the leading department store men of that city from sell-
• of remodelling the premises is one which will stagger the ordinary
piano merchant, and a portion of the profits should be expended
every year in store betterment.
An attractive store draws an attractive trade, a desirable trade
—a trade that every up-to-date piano man is anxious to become
acquainted with.
OME of the recently erected piano factories will run a slight
ing pianos, provided they care to enter the ranks as active piano
risk of destruction by fire. The saving of expenses by a
retailers ?
A
S announced in last week's Review, the first real break has
been made, and the Rothschilds, a wealthy concern, have
secured a line of Eastern pianos, some of which are well known.
With a manager in charge who has had a long experience in both
reduction of insurance rates will be considerable, and the tendency
of the times is to reduce expenses in every possible way.
The outcome, of course, is problematical. It depends upon the
men and the institution.
We are inclined to the theory, however, that there will be
Buildings
that are practically fireproof naturally effect a material decrease in
running expenses.
Every piano factory which has been erected in recent years
the retail and wholesale fields in Chicago, and with ample capital
behind them, they certainly start off in a well equipped manner.
If the process of
deterioration is allowed to go on for a period of years, the cost
There is no question but that the piano men of the Western
metropolis can. measure lances successfully with business men in
But how much more difficult
has been on lines which have reduced the possibilities of destruction
by fire to a minimum.
POME
^
well-known local salesmen have suggested the idea of
forming an association composed of the active selling piano
more interest manifested in the department store as a piano dis-
forces in our city.
The scheme is good.
It has worked success-
tributing factor within the strictly trade circles should the announce-
fully in Philadelphia, and there is no reason why the piano men
ment be made that Marshall Field had decided to take on pianos with
of Gotham, who are a jolly, companionable set, should not get to-
a well-known brand as his leader.
gether for mutual advantages.
The- move should be encouraged.