FROM THE EDITOR
I believe most of you would agree that this industry is a seasonal one
that begins each September with the introduction of the new
phonographs, followed shortly afterward by the Music Operators of
America convention and exposition. After that early fall kickoH, the
indust~y goes into full swing along with the colleges, which provide a
good many of today's best coin-operated games players.
Christmas follows with its spurt of industry activity. The seeming cozy
lull of the po t-Christmas season doesn't last long, being awakened with
the stirring of spring and new games released for the peak spring and
ummer season , when operators in resort communities have their
heyday.
Now, with another industry "year" coming to a close, I couJdn't help
looking back and wondering how the industry, in particular the
operators, fared during this Great Recession we're supposedly moving
out of.
It seems that increased prices must have kept corporate profits
teady, if not rising. And, as of this writing, I don't believe we've lost
any major manufacturers. In fact, it seems the industry gained several
new manufacturer this year.
But what about personal earnings at the consumer level? Blue collar
earnings are generally up thanks mosdy to union pressures for higher
wages 0 that it appears those who suffered most were those who had
little or no control over their income--white collar workers. Of course, I
have not taken into account the jobless, handicapped, aged and poor.
The operator cannot truly be compared with the white collar worker,
although evidence shows that many operators nearly succumbed to the
tidal wave of inflation and recession. Operators, I helieve, can he more
likened to doctors, lawyers or independent professionals who run their
own businesses. It seems such businessmen cope with the ebb and tide
of our economic seas by raising prices when prices to them are raised
and I would hope that operators who want to remain successful--or at
least in business --will take command of their economic ships--their
businesses--by taking similar action.
I realize, of course (and so should you), that discussing pricing openly
with each other, agreeing to set a price and raising it simultaneously is a
violation of the Federal antitrust laws (even though the oil companies
apparently somehow continue to raise their prices almost the same
amounts at the same times. An incredible coincident.)
I don't think such a coincidence in this industry is really possible,
federal interference being an absolute certaintlYi so it is apparent that
each of you will have to take it upon himself to do what he knows is right
and necessary.
You know how to increase your play prices and that you have every
right to impose either a service charge or to increase your commission
percentage or both. If they ask why, tell them about the $1,100 you paid
for your new four-player or the $2,000 you paid for your new
phonograph.
Of course, you're worried about those locations saying, "If you raise
the prices, take your machines out." Well, I can't guarantee that he
won't say that, but I'm confident I almost could if I could depend on
most operator being smart enough businessmen to raise their prices if
they ee you rai e yours. I may be wrong, but I think the men and
women operating today love the business enough to want to stay in it byt
keeping in step with the economy and the competition. They and you
have to, or none of us will be around long enough to talk about it.
Calendar
. ept. 11 -14:
florida Amusement Merchandising
Association. annual convention.
Sheraton Towt'rs Hotel. Orlando.
florida.
Sept. 18-20:
West Virginia Music and Vending
Association. annual convention.
Heart O'Town Motor Hotel. Char-
lestion. West Virginia.
Sept_ 19-28:
Illinoi s Coin Machine Operators
Association. annual convention.
Lincolnshire Marriott. N. W. Sub-
urban Chicago. Illinois.
Sept. 27 -28:
North Carolina Coin Operat.ors As-
sociation. annual convention. Holi-
day Inn. Charlotte. North Carolina.
Sept. 27-28
Wisconsin Music Merchants
Association, annual fall conven-
tion. Midway Motor Lodge,
Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Oct. 2-4:
Music Operators of Virginia. annual
convention. Howard Johnson Motor
Lodge. Richmond. Virginia.
Oct. 16-19:
National Automatic Merchandising
Association. annual national con-
vention and exhibit. The Rivergate.
New Orleans. La.
Oct. 17-19:
Music Operators of America. na-
tional annual convention and expo i-
tion . Conrad Hilton Hotel. Chicago.
Illinois.
April 2-4, 1976
Wisconsin Music Merchants
Association, annual spring con-
vention and exhibition. Scotsland
Resort, Oconomowoc, Wiscon-
sin.
Ralph C. Lally Il,
Editor and Publisher
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