Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
Dealers Suggest Many Subjects
For Discussion at Convention
That dealers are thinking consider- competitors, such as radios, refriger-
ably ahead has been manifested in
many letters received by T H E REVIEW
recently in which many suggestions
have been made regarding what should
be discussed at the Convention in July.
C. F. Cowan, of
Music Co., Fresno,
more discussion on
less elections and
able.
the Hockett-Cowan
Cal., believes that
vital problems and
reports are advis-
Wants Open Forums
"I am hoping," he says, "that in the
coming convention more time will be
given to discussion of subjects of vital
interest to dealers, and less time to
elections, reports, etc. I also hope that
it will be a business convention, and
not a recreation spree. The latter may
)e all right for close dealers who make
.he markets regularly, but for distant
lealers who are at considerable ex-
pense, both as to time and finances, it
is hardly worthwhile unless we show
some real business value to such a
trip.
"Specifically, I would suggest several
open forums, or dealers round tables,
and an advance notice to the trade of
such opportunity for open discussion,
so that dealers can come prepared with
one or more questions. I think there
should be 10 dealers to ask worthwhile
questions at such a meeting where one
would answer mail inquiry. I would
like to see some announcements, or
some discussion on more national ad-
vertisements. I feel that we must have
this if we are to compete with our close
ators and autos, etc.
"Dealer's advertising is a vital sub-
ject, including show windows and store
arrangements, direct mail, etc. A dis-
cussion of compensation of salesmen,
especially in relation to the new type
of selling during the readjustment
period would be valuable. The matter
of adjustment of commissions paid to
teachers, customers, etc., and discounts
to schools and professionals would be
very interesting. These are just a few
suggestions, none of them new, but I
believe have a special significance at
this time."
Other subjects include production
and what can be done to speed it up,
what to allow for trade-ins, sales train-
ing, etc.
Should Discuss Spinet Height
One dealer, however, believes that
the size of present day spinet pianos
should hold the spotlight.
"An all important subject," he says,
"for discussion at the forthcoming con-
vention in Chicago could be the size
of the present day spinet pianos. Some
of the manufacturers evidently are not
giving much thought to tone anil action.
Not only is the quality poor, but we feel
that the size of the spinet should not
be under 40 inches in height. In as
much as our piano sales will be prac-
tically spinets for the next few months,
until grands are in production, it is
very important that the spinet piano be
made to sound well and to be at least
passably satisfactory to the average
pianist. They are not today."
A. E. Godfrey, Williams Piano Co.,
Sioux Falls, S. D., compliments the
NAMM stating:
Should Disseuss Regulation " W "
"The National Association of Music
Merchants is doing a swell pob, a re-
markable job I think for the first
year. The Convention should be very
interesting and helpful; the new Board
seems to have a very definite concep-
tion of what its functions are and the
courage and initiative to follow
through. Production and prices will be
discussed in relation to each other. The
trade needs merchandise. What should
be done about a lot of little music stores
starting up with men of no experience;
with limited capital and in communi-
ties of such size as to prohibit any
chance of operating
successfully?
Problems of securing a sufficient sup-
ply of tuners is important to discuss.
To the band instrument dealer suitably
equipped shops and good repair men
are problems of particular interest.
Definitely assigned territory and pro-
tection within that territory would
engender confidence, better relation-
ship between dealer and factory and a
greater respect on the part of the pub-
lic for the music dealer and the prod-
uct he sells.
"Regulation 'W' should be discussed
at the Convention; its continuance or
discontinuance.
"I am looking forward to seeing you
all at the Convention. I think it will
be the best one we have ever had."
Rudolph Siegling, president of the
Siegling Music House, Inc., Charleston,
S. C, offers the following suggestions:
"We believe that the most important
questions that should be discussed at
the Convention Chicago, is the tuner
[Turn to page
161
ONLY EXPERT PIANO
CRAFTSMEN
are employed in our plant so the most
minute detail in our
RECONDITIONED PIANOS
— is never overlooked —
LOWEST PRICES Guaranteed
carloads or less
Wire — Write or Telephone
Six Brothers Piano Co.
Members of Chicago Chamber of Commerce
14
6605 Cottage Grove Avenue - Chicago 37, III.
Telephone Midway T347 - 7342
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MAY, 1946