Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
spectfully suggest that the members of one of these associations
unite and try the plan suggested by The Review. It certainly could
do no harm, and in our opinion much guod might result from its
adoption. Suppose the advertisement should read as follows:
"Caution to Piano .Buyers: The purchase of a piano involves a
considerable outlay of money, and before final selection is made,
some investigations as to the claims put forth by salesmen for their
respective instruments should be made. I hit above all things be
sure that the piano bears the name of the manufacturer. Reputable
instruments guaranteed in every way can be purchased from the
following." And here could follow the names of the dealers who
subscribe to the doctrines putmm advertisement.
"This movement toward economy is scarcely perceptible, but it
should be sufficient to relieve the strain from congested business.
In a way it is a good thing. It is better so, as the curtailment is
gradual, otherwise there might be a sudden slump, with bad results.
A
RETAIL merchant sent a statement to a customer, and wrote
across the bottom, "This bill has run as long as it can." Now
the question is: How long can a bill run? Is it a question of what
the bill is for? Would a bill for limburger cheese run longer than
a bill for something else not so strong. If it comes down to an
endurance race, no doubt about it, a grocery bill seems to be in a
class by itself. The grocers of the country are the greatest philan-
thropists alive. More people are living off the little retail grocers
than are being fed in the charitable institutions and houses of de-
T would be interesting to note the effect of this kind of publicity.
tention and jails.
It surely would aid in the doing away with misrepresentation
Bills are not very pleasant things to deal with, and must be
in piano sales, and it would cultivate in the minds of the piano-pur-
handled
with care. Too many people are inclined to take offense
chasing public a belief that it was necessary to have the brand of
when
a
claim
is urged. Retail merchants should be the last per-
the manufacturer appear on their pianos in order to insure their
sons
to
be
put
out by the receipt of a statement urging settlement
reliability. As time moves on it becomes more and more apparent
of
a
bill.
The
last thing a house is likely to do is to intentionally
that some correct methods must be adopted to maintain the stability
offend
in
trying
to collect an account. It really is too often the last
of the trade and to prevent its disintegration by the forces of mis-
thing,
for
the
merchant
gets mad and pays the bill and quits. It is
representation and greed which are more or less in evidence in the
not
good
business
to
do
so. Such actions do not help to establish
various parts of the country.
credit,
and
retailers
well
know that it is considered entirely proper
There is no reason why the piano business should not be main-
for
one
jobber
to
make
inquiry
of another concerning a mutual cus-
tained on a high plane. It can be and a spirit of pride in the busi-
tomer.
Credit
associations
exist
for this interchange of informa-
ness must be created. When a man begins to take a pride in his
tion.
No
man
should
get
on
his
high
horse because he is the sub-
profession and looks upon it not merely as the means of creating
ject
of
inquiry.
The
more
he
froths
at
the mouth the more doubt
funds for himself and incidentally a fortune—but views it as a
he
creates.
Business
is
cold
blooded.
When it comes to money
helpful factor in the great business interests of the country, then he
matters
sentiment
steps
aside.
will put new heart in his enterprise, and will strive to crush out
everything that detracts from it or tends to lower it in the slightest
O l ' remember the story of a man who could not get a check
degree. All trade betterments may be accomplished gradually, and
cashed at a bank because he could not be identified. When
without, the use of sensational methods which are adopted with the
he had shown his "identification" card, and his initials on his linen,
idea of personal aggrandizement.
and his correspondence, and his name and photograph in his watch,
all to no effect, he said, with emphasis, "Young man, do you know
HE trade press can be a powerful factor in the bringing about
that if I were charged with murder, the evidence of identity I have
of better conditions. This may be accomplished through the
shown you would induce any jury in America to hang me?" "Well,
promulgation of doctrines which appeal to the intelligence of read-
that might be so in a murder trial," said the teller, "but when it
ers. Abuse is not argument, and the trade paper which resorts to
comes to money matters we must be more careful."
wholesale abuse of its constituency is proceeding along false lines
A thing retailers should bear in mind when a reminder comes
which must ultimately react upon the one who indulges in such
in is the fact that there has not been a meeting of the board of
practices. Whenever a trade journal makes a wholesale attack upon
directors for the purpose of discussing his case. It only means that
an industry, it is pretty safe to assume that the chief cause of the
the man in charge of accounts has been running his eagle eye down
attack may be found in the fact that the publisher has made a failure
the columns of his ledgers, in accordance with his daily practice,
of his own business, and that he seeks to destroy the prosperity of
and has noted every overdue account. A great many things are to
others simply because he has failed to win success in the industry.
be taken into consideration when the matter of writing to a de-
The trade journals should be helpful. Their conductors should
linquent is to be decided. It would be impossible to go into detail.
build up and not seek to demolish, and it seems nowadays that some
Tn fact, the best way out of it is to use the printed form. You can
disgruntled ones are trying to create what trouble they can, simply
read between the lines for the motive. But don't get mad. Re-
because their own policy has resulted in failure.
spond in a business-like way. The other man will always listen to
reason. Get up a system which will work well in producing with
T is to be regretted that sensationalism exists among the trade
past due piano accounts. It is system that counts in everything.
journals, and that men should rush into print with a lot of
misstatements in which they drag the names of important firms and
E have received from dealers during the week papers^con-
individuals regarding proposed deals. In this way they too fre-
taining a number of advertisements of slaughter sales, in
quently delay business matters from consummation. They do not
which mark down prices occupy a prominent feature. Some Re-
realize what a ludicrous position they occupy before the trade when
view readers write that they feel that the methods of these cut-rate
prominent men are called upon to deny statements which they have
dealers should be criticized editorially.
made, as in the case of the lohn Church Co., for instance.
We have before us an advertisement issued by a well-known
concern located in an interior city in New York State. One of the
OST pessimistic is the outlook for KJO8 from the viewpoint
dealers in sending the advertisement to The Review, says: "The
of James J. 11 ill, president of the Great Northern Railway
dealers in this city feel that such advertising is not beneficial to the
Co. Mr. Hill declares he believes that present prosperity will be
music dealers nor to the music trade in general, and a great in-
followed by hard times, and that he already sees a beginning of
justice is done to high-grade piano manufacturers. We would be
recession of business. The field of labor, the capitalist asserts, will
pleased to hear from The Review on this subject."
be affected most by the abatement of prosperity and thousands of
The advertisement in question is gotten up attractively, well
men will be out of work.
written and well displayed. We question, however, whether it is
"General policies of retrenchment are under way," said Mr.
truthful in a prominent particular, because it states that "every
Hill. "Less money is being spent on new works. The effect of this
piano offered at this sale is brand new and been marked down for
movement is being felt at present, especially by the manufacturing
the occasion." Below is included a list of prominent names in
interests, in the falling off of orders. The beginning of this move-
piano history.
ment is very evident in Chicago.
Now this particular dealer is not the agent for these instru-
"While I would scarcely call it a recession in business, it is ments and could have secured them only through surreptitious
more of a drawing in. The railroads in general are curtailing their
means, if the instruments are as represented "brand-new." If not,
expenditures and placing fewer orders.
the advertisement is misleading.
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