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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
THE WAY THE TRADE
WINDJS BLOWING.
At the close of last month, a communication was sent from this office
addressed to hundreds of dealers throughout the length and
breadth of the country, asking for a few, clean-cut statements
from them concerning the trade condition. Among the questions
propounded were:
How do you think the fall trade this year will compare with 1907?
Do you figure that the repossession of pianos has now practically ceased?
Are men generally employed in your vicinity?
Do you not find that collections have improved?
Do you view the future of the trade optimistically?
Some further questions were asked, but these named above will be sufficient to show
that the answers which we reproduce contain more than ordinary interest because they tell
of the actual situation in every part of the country. On account of lack of space, it has been
impossible to print all the communications which we have received, but we may say that those
printed are fairly representative of the whole and it is pleasing to know that dealers view
the future of the trade in an optimistic manner.
Conditions have improved all over the land and everyone should read the views presented.
They are encouraging and should act as an inspiration to go ahead and do business.
EDMUND GRAM, Milwaukee, Wis.
The fall trade in our section compares favora-
bly with that of 1907 in as much as there was an
increase, even if it is only slight, in the sales of
pianos.
The higher grades have had a more ready
sale than the others, but this seems natural, as
the wealthy class has long forgotten the panic,
whereas the man of smaller means is still smart-
ing under the hardships imposed upon him by
the irregularity of the money conditions and is,
therefore, cautious and little inclined to buy.
We have found the repossession of instruments
unnecessary, as we have not forced any sales
during the hard times. We have carried a num-
ber of our customers through the past stringency
of the money market, but they are now respond-
ing promptly to our requests for larger payments
than contract calls for.
Collections in general have been improved, but
they are not nearly what they ought to be, and
much Is to be done to get them in good order.
In this respect we anticipate but little more im-
provement before the first of the year.
The men in our vicinity are employed at least 50
per cent, of their regular time up to 80 and 90
per cent.
No, we are not optimistic, but we expect to do
a good solid business this fall and show improve-
ments over last year's business.
D. S. JOHNSTON CO., Seattle, Wash.
Conditions here are very encouraging, and we
look forward to a terrific fall trade. In fact,
our business for the past two months has cer-
tainly been immense. Particularly is this true
on the higher grade instruments; the demand
for Chickerings, Kimballs, Lesters and Hobart
M. Cables in the most expensive styles is extra-
ordinary. Pianola pianos are also in great de-
mand, we having sold no less than six of these
during the past week, an average of one a day.
Also sold three Kimball pipe organs at $5,000,
$8,000 and $12,000 respectively.
We launched a large geographical contest sev-
eral weeks ago, which closed Sept. 26th. The
returns have been very satisfactory, nearly 8,000
lists having been submitted. We enclose one of
the circulars for your information.
We have advertised extensively all through the
summer. In fact, we were the only house in
this section that did advertise. This, we feel,
helped us tremendously, and now that the fall
season is fully open, and we are going to adver-
tise heavier than ever, we feel confident that we
are going to have a splendid fall trade.
There is an immense lot of building going on
all along the coast and this, coupled with the
many contemplated structures and the number of
men employed at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo-
sition which opens June 1st of next year, is fur-
nishing employment for thousands of men. Now
that the lumber rate question is settled, virtually
all the mills are again open, many of them
running twenty-four hours a day.
While collections are good under the circum-
stances, that end of it could be improved upon.
However, with the general resumption of business
we are confident that collections will be first rate
in a short time. Our repossessions are very few,
and we feel that this will soon be on a normal
basis. Fortunately we held out for strong terms
during the depression and, while it made it a
little harder fighting, it has proven more satisfac-
tory In the end.
THE CURTICE-BAUM CO., Omaha, Neb.
We consider our trade a little in advance of
what it was with us one year ago. Considering
the fact that the State of Nebraska will produce
this year the greatest crops in its history, leads
us to believe that our fall trade will be satisfac-
tory.
Due to the conditions of business depression
that came upon us last year, from which we be-
lieve we have not fully recovered, there have
been a number of pianos repossessed, and it
does look to us as though there may be consider-
able more. I,abor seems, to be pretty much em-
ployed, and the outlook is fairly reassuring,
the usual condition, due to a presidential elec-
tion, seems to have some effect also, but we
are of the opinion when the election is over,
and the country settles down, that matters will
improve.
Collections nave not been good, which is
accounted for in our answer to your second
question.
EMIL JOHNSGAARD, Bottineau, N. D.
This section of the country has showed a
material improvement in business over last year.
The fall trade I think will be larger this year
than last. I, for my part, have made bigger
preparations for it. The piano trade I think will
feel the effects yet for awhile, the people are
more cautious when it comes to pianos than they
were before. Men are all employed in our vicin-
ity. Collections are a good deal better than last
year and in concluding my letter I think that
the trade is going to increase in the future, but
it is going to go slow.
HAYDEN BROS., Omaha, Neb.
.
The last year we enjoyed the largest business
we have had in the history of our house, and
we take a great deal of pleasure in stating that
we will show an increase this year over last
of 25 per cent.
In regard to pianos being repossessed, will
say we had a few shortly after Jan. 1 of this
year, but since then the percentage has been
unusually small and seems to have entirely
ceased. This is strictly an agricultural country,
and we have been fortunate this year in having
a splendid crop and prices are very good, as we
do not depend on any manufacturing to any