Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
11
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
SAN FRANCISCO DEALERS HANDLING COLLECTION PROBLEM
Business Is Good for the Time of Year, Though Dealers Are Endeavoring to Get Advance
Payments on Instalment Accounts—Many Dealers Out of Town at Present—General News
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., July 29.—The week has
brought very little change to most of the local
piano houses, and the statement heard in most
quarters is that, while sales are a great deal
better than last summer, they are by no means
what they should be, at least here in the city.
Various reasons, as usual, are advanced for
this, any or all of which may account for the
condition, though none appear very convincing,
except perhaps that the fine weather all over
the State, and the present ease of traveling by
automobiles, which are coming to be owned by
nearly everyone who can own a piano, are
keeping people out-of-doors and taking interest
away from musical matters. By every indica-
tion there are many more people than usual
out of town, as there are many vacant apart-
ments and hotel rooms, and theatrical perform-
ances are drawing very poor crowds.
Giving People What They Want
The question is asked in some quarters, how-
ever, whether it is not possible that the trade
is failing to give the people what they want:
whether the general effort for short terms and
large payments is not being made at a material
sacrifice of sales. In this connection the opin-
ion is expressed by a man whose knowledge of
the local trade is by no means negligible, that
the Emporium department store's piano depart-
ment is selling more pianos in San Francisco
than any other house in town, and this in virtue
of such offers as were made last Sunday, when
a large ad appeared offering players at a very
reasonable figure at $10 down and $2 weekly,
on a clubbing offer. The ad was attractively
gotten up, and according to Harry Marcus, the
manager, the results have been most satisfac-
tory, sales for the past week running into com-
paratively large figures. It would certainly be
interesting to know how the Emporium's sales
really do compare with those of other houses,
especially in view of the oft-repeated assertion
that the piano business could not be conducted
to advantage in a department store. Of course
there are differences between this and the ordi-
nary department, as Mr. Marcus is on a rather
independent basis; but the fact remains that the
department, started but a few years ago, has
been growing steadily, and at least in its own
line of popular-priced pianos is undoubtedly
holding its own with the older houses.
Whether this is due to a shrewd judgment of
the public demands, or to advantage of location,
or a strategic position in regard to the vast
number of people running accounts at the Em-
porium, would be hard to say; but the undenied
success of the department at least gives the
old-line piano merchants food for thought.
In considering low terms, the financial ques-
tion, of course, takes on great importance,
though hardly as great now as a few years
ago; but while most houses report collections
very satisfactory, it is surprising to note that
some very unusual inducements are being
offered to secure payments in advance on in-
stalment accounts.
Another Get-Together Meeting
The great success of the get-together meeting
of the Hauschildt Music Co.'s employes in the
Kearny street building a few weeks ago led
them to decide to have another affair, and this
time will hold a "Yama-yama" party on the
evening of August 16. Manager Craven has
returned to the Sacramento store, giving Mr.
Hauschildt a change to get back to the cool
Bay breezes, at which he is much delighted.
Mr. Eigholz, the local manager is having all the
talking machine and player rooms of the
Kearny street store refinished.
Mr. Ringen, manager of Kohler & Chase's
small goods department, is on a vacation, which
leaves the four remaining in that department
very busy. Geo. Q. Chase is reported still in
New York, but is expected back soon.
Philip T. Clay in Arizona
Philip T. Clay, of Sherman, Clay & Co., has
joined his family in Arizona, but is expected in
the city within a week or two. Andrew G. Mc-
Carthy, who left him in the mountain district,
has just arrived, and finds the Victor business
here keping up as well as when he left. This
company reports a very nice growth of busi-
ness at the Oakland store, the improvements in
which have received many expressions of ap-
preciation from the customers.
Feeling the Call of the Wild
Frederick R. Sherman, of Sherman, Clay &
Co., has been feeling the craving for the great
outdoors, or the call of the wild or something
lately, and is preparing to leave for the Kings
River Canon, one of the grandest and roughest
trips in the high Sierras. Some of the piano
men this year have been touring the Sierras in
automobiles, but Fred is leaving such trappings
of civilization behind, taking nothing more
sophisticated than a pack-saddle. He himself
intends to walk.
On His Way to Portland
Hy Eilcrs, head of the Eilers Music House,
has been here a few days on one of his flying
trips, and left Friday for Portland by auto.
He expects to have the improvements in the
Spokane store completed within a couple of
months, and says that F. W. Graves is on the
ground rushing things along. The upper floors
will contain a large number of finely equipped
rooms for musical studios.
Some Personal Items
Alfred Dolge, Western representative of the
Haddorf Piano Co., is making one of his fre-
quent visits to San Francisco.
E. C. Wood, until a couple of years ago Coast
manager for the Baldwin Co., arrived in the
city recently after a trip East, and has been
renewing old friendships. It is understood that
he is working on a new proposition, on which
he will make an announcement shortly.
J. M. Liebert, who left recently to take charge
of the Fotoplayer department of W. J. Dyer &
Bro., of St. Paul, Minn., has been called back
temporarily on account of his mother's illness.
H. J. Werner, of the American Photo Player
Sales Co., is spending some time at the factory
and the San Francisco office.
C. S. Walter, a well-known local piano man,
is in the city for a few days, having just com-
pleted a long trip for the Eilers Music House
along the Coast from Mendocino to Vancouver.
He expects to start out again shortly.
C. J. Hite, formerly with Kohler & Chase, is
a new member of the Emporium's piano sales
force.
Geo. J. Birkel, Los Angeles Steinway agent,
is spending a couple of weeks in San Francisco,
and expects to visit next week with Ernest
Urchs, who will arrive in a few days.
W. S. Gannon, Western representative of the
Kohler Industries, has returned from a vacation
in the Sierras.
Victrola XIV, $150
Mahogany or oak
Other styles $15 to $400
Victor
supremacy
is firmly established on a
basis of great things actu-
ally accomplished.
A supremacy that is
growing greater every day
—that insures ever-increas-
ing p r o s p e r i t y to every
Victor dealer.
Victor Talking Machine Co.,
Camden, N. J., U. S. A.
Berliner Gramophone Co., Montreal,
Canadian Distributors
Important w a r n i n g . Victor Records can be safely and sat-
isfactorily played only with Vitttr Needlei or Tungi-Unt Stylus on
Victors or Victrolas. Victor Records cannot be eafely played
on machines with jeweled or other reproducing points