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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Piano Manufacturers Are Forced to Raise Prices
T
HE question of the increasing cost of pianos, and the diffi-
culty of securing supplies, is the question of the day. A
prominent traveling man, who is a keen student of conditions,
said to The Review this week, "It is the general impression
among retailers that the contemplated raise in wholesale prices
of pianos, following previous price advances, is not fully neces-
sary—that the manufacturer probably bought supplies 'ahead' at
lower prices, laid in a big stock, and is now realizing a large
profit on the situation."
This erroneous opinion cannot be combated too strongly.
Dealers who reason this way should remember that it has long
been impossible for the piano manufacturer, or supply man for
that matter, to stock up "ahead" in the matter of supplies,
largely because of the steadily increasing raise in prices of all
kinds of materials, which has resulted in a condition whereby
neither delivery nor prices could be insured with any degree of
certainty.
There are very few houses that have been able to stock
ahead—all have been buying at increased prices month after
month, in order to turn out instruments to supply the require-
ments of the dealers. To-day the prices of all those materials
required in the making of pianos are rapidly going up at every
turn, and this, combined with slow deliveries, embargoes, and
non-delivery of supplies, has brought about a situation that is
most serious.
The question now arises, can the manufacturers under these
unprecedented conditions do justice to the quality of their product
and themselves, and agree to ship pianos, excepting at a price
on current conditions and cost of materials at the time?
Would a dealer agree to deliver a piano to a customer on a small
margin without knowing the cost at wholesale? There must be
an answer in the negative to both of these questions.
Both dealers and manufacturers should thresh out this seri-
ous problem with a mutual consideration for the interests of both
in mind. It would be against reason for makers to allow th£
retailer to get the impression that pianos can be sold on thfc
basis of having bought materials before the stupendous raisd
in prices. Pianos will go up higher and then higher, unless some
relief comes to the maker, and at that, some materials necessary
in the making of musical instruments may not be secured at any
price. What then? Greater advances in price must come—an4
heaven knows when they will stop.
:
In view of the situation it is obviously the duty of dealers;
to get in touch with the manufacturers as quickly as possible
and acquaint the manufacturers with their needs for fall and
winter, to the end that the factories may be able to make up
sufficient stock to meet demands, and to make them up quickly.
Manufacturers must know where they are at.
Think of the disaster to the dealers if the manufacturers
cannot supply their demands. What then? It is much better to
take time by the forelock and place orders now, no matter what
the increased cost may be, for pianos are bound to go higher in
view of the conditions in the supply and labor markets. Then
there is the probability of delayed shipments, which can only
be obviated by dealers having a good stock in hand to meet their
demands. The necessity of placing orders now cannot be over-
emphasized. Dealers and manufacturers should get in close touch
with each other on this subject.
ciation who really want that body to become an active trade force
and who desire to give substantial support to the freight bureau,
the National Bureau for the Advancement of Music, and the work
of various committees, should make quick response to the appeal
of the officers, and give them the financial backing asked for.
When schools allow credits for music studies, even the most
conservative parents are inclined to appreciate the educational
importance of such study and are willing to stand a certain
amount of expense to carry it on. It has actually happened that
a father who has persistently refused to consider the purchase of
a piano under ordinary conditions has agreed to buy an instru-
ment, when, through the medium of school credits, he has been
convinced that a piano is necessary to the child's education, just
as are books and other school equipment.
The dealer or the group of dealers who take action to estab-
lish a music credit system in local schools, are not simply ad-
vancing the cause of music as an art, but are actually developing
business possibilities that, largely through neglect, have been
lying dormant. Piano men should check up their lists and learn
just how many pianos they have sold that the child or children
of some family might take up the study of the piano.
HE more retail piano men give thought to the work now
being done by the Bureau for the Advancement of Music and
by many individuals, including Warren C. Whitney, of the A.
B. Chase Co., for the establishment of music credits in schools
to stimulate and encourage the study of music outside school
hours,: through according proper recognition for such efforts,
the stronger will be the campaign to insure such credits. It is
increasingly apparent that by arousing musical interest in the
child, not only are future buyers of musical instruments provided
for, but the child's influence in the home often results in sales.
T
§>tnmto Pianos
Fulfill a
National Trade Need
Style 10, Hammond Player
for an artistic, reliable, qual-
ity-made instrument at a mod-
erate and reasonable price.
STRAUBE PIANO COMPANY
235 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111.
Hammond, Ind.
Style 46, Hammond Upright