Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1925 2016

Page 16 Text:

16
March 14, 1925.
P R E S T O
turnover in one grade of instrument is counteracted
by the expenses of selling the slower moving ones.
It suggests a source of danger for the firm with
limited capital.
Large concerns capable of buying for cash and in
quantities and selling on a quantity basis with the
turnover as the chief objective may do this business
Relation of One to the Other in the Scheme of with profit. They have the advantage over the small
dealers who fail of success because they cannot dis-
Sales Is Fully Realized by the Piano
pose of sufficient instruments on a small profit mar-
Dealer Who Understands Modern
gin to make the venture worth while.
The Rapid Turnover.
Methods of Trading.
In distribution, the expensive pianos, players and
reproducing pianos are not considered from a quan-
tity standpoint, but with many ambitious houses their
wider distribution among a selected class of prospects
The Main Purposes of the Music Merchant Depend is a noticeable and admirable effort. The question of
overhead therefore hinges on the rapid turnover of
on Conditions That Vary in the
the great mass of instruments found between the very
Different Stores.
cheap and the very expensive ones. The manager
Every dealer admits that the most important con- quoted before said:
"The medium-priced piano is the dealer's best bet
sideration in the trade is that of sales. And at first
glance it will not be seen that overhead of a store has when he strives to increase his turnover by more
a close relation to the distribution of the goods. In energetic methods of selling. The man dependent on
many stores where the overhead is admittedly too the cheap piano is so busy figuring on quantity turn-
high money and energy are directed away from the over that he disregards the smaller sales of the higher
main purpose of the stores—to sell more goods. The priced pianos with legitimately better profits. On the
conservation of profits has a direct bearing on the other hand, the man who features the high-priced re-
means to stimulate sales, and if money is unneces- producing piano is enamored of the higher profit per
sarily spent in one way, the apportionment of money instrument and gets into the habit of figuring on a
unit basis."
to necessary purposes is curtailed.
The New System.
Energetic selling work is the first requirement for
The
situation
set
forth has evidently developed a
increasing the turnover. But there are many things
in the methods of a store that discourage system whereby certain phases of the business are
bigger sales and they all have to do with the isolated. Several stores of a firm are made to carry
question of overhead.
Incompetent
salesmen lines calculated to appeal to certain types of pros-
on salary naturally fall down on the expectation pects. The lines there never conflict one with the
of the manager and their remuneration, little or big, other. The unco thrifty finds his piano in one place;
adds to the sum of the overhead. A service force, the man who wants something better than the cheap
perhaps, may be insufficiently employed through piano, but does not consider himself in the high-
weak publicity for the department, and in a way be- priced class finds his wants in another.
The display of a $3,000 reproducing piano scares
comes a liability. The advertising may be badly
placed or the copy prepared with poor judgment and away a man from one type of store while a $250
so fail to effect the complete purposes of music store player with a whole flock of free accessories shoos
him from another. But there's a place where his
publicity.
$1,000 will meet a player of good value for his money.
Importance of Overhead.
PRICE, TURNOVER
AND OVERHEAD
(Zae
PROFITS AND DISTRIBUTION
The size of the overhead may be made to govern
prices and here is something that has a close bearing
on sales—the turnover. The turnover plainly has to
do with the system of marking the goods. Prices too
high v/ill discourage the sum of sales; prices too low,
fixed without considering a too large overhead, will
naturally result in an annual profit of low visibility.
The marked prices certainly have a close relation to
the adjustment of the piano and playerpiano lines and
to a net fair return.
The Well-Balanced Line.
The adjustment of the piano lines is a very impor-
tant consideration. It is possible for pianos to con-
flict one with the other. As a manager said recently:
"A badly assorted line is like a family divided
amongst itself." A well balanced line is a continual
source of satisfaction. It insures an even ratio of dis-
tribution with a just division in the expenses of
selling.
The distribution of the instruments of low or me-
dium price is being accomplished by many houses by
widespread advertising based chiefly on the price
appeal. But the advantages of large sales in this
way are counteracted by the disadvantages of the
slower moving better pianos. The profitable quick
The Good Old
SMITH & NIXON
Pianos and Player Pianos
Better than ever, with the tame
"Grand Tone In Upright Case."
Grands and Players that every deal-
er likes to sell, for Satisfaction and
Profit.
STANDARDIZATION URGED IN
BULLETIN JUST ISSUED
Manufacturers in all Lines Addressed by Chamber
of Commerce and Means to Economies Suggested.
The department of manufacture of the Chamber
of Commerce of the United States has mailed a let-
ter to manufacturers including piano, talking ma-
chine and radio manufacturers pointing out the vital
necessity of eliminating waste in the production of
their goods. And while the progressive manufactur-
ers in all the lines have developed simplified systems
in their plants there are many plants wherein econo-
mies could be effected. Standardization is one of the
means towards economy pointed out in the letter,
and bulletin.
"Notwithstanding the very evident gains and econo-
mies which are certain to accrue from a reasonable
application of simplified practice, it is most surpris-
ing that numerous lines have as yet taken no very
definite steps in this direction," says the bulletin,
which adds that the Department of Commerce, the
American Engineering Standards Committee and the
National chamber are working hard to arouse all
lines to determine a course of action and follow it.
GULBRANSEN VISITORS.
George Burbeck, progressive music merchant of
Buffalo, N. Y., and C. O. Knight, energetic Gulbran-
sen dealer of Willston, N. Dak., were recent visitors
to the factory of the Gulbransen Co., Chicago and
Kedzie avenues, Chicago. Both gentlemen are opti-
mistic of the trade conditions of the immediate future,
and visited Chicago for the instruments for the spring
and summer trade.
OHIO FIRM REMODELS STORE.
The Spence Music Co., Zanesville, O., is now com-
pleting work on a remodeled building adjoining its
store in the rear and which will give double the floor
space formerly available. The additional floor space
will be utilized as a salesroom for pianos. The sales-
rooms now in use are inadequate to display the large
stocks advantageously.
ADDS PLAYERPIANOS TO LINE.
Smith & Nixon Piano Co.
1229 Miller St., Chicago
Cohan & Hughes, Baltimore, Md., widely known in
the talking machine and radio trade, has added
playerpianos to its line. The new department will
be operated in a wholesale way, in the manner of the
phonograph and radio stocks. I. S. Cohan, who has
had long experiences in the piano business, is man-
ager of the new department.
ARTISTIC
IN EVERY
DETAIL
HADDORFF PIANO CO.
ROCKFORD,ILL.
Wholemal* Office*;
N»w T I j | |^_ 4 ^ j 5*
GUM
M(S. Mhtibaa Av*.
SM hwtMi
Ill CMBlMifeSi,
II
Schaff Bros.
Players a ad Pianos have won their stand-
ing with trade and public by 54 years of
steadfast striving to excel. They repre-
sent the
LARGEST COMPETITIVE VALUE
because of their beauty, reliability, tone
and moderate price. They are profitable
to sell and satisfactory when sold.
Brighten Your Line with the
SCHAFF BROS.
The Schaff Bros. Co.
Established 1868
Huntington, Ind.
GRAND PIANOS
EXCLUSIVELY
One Style—One Quality
giving you the
Unequaled Grand
Unequaled Price
Already being sold by leading dealers
throughout the country
Write today—tell us your next year's re-
quirements and we will meet your demands
with prompt and efficient service.
Nordlund Grand Piano Co.
400 W. Erie S t
CHICAGO
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/

Page 17 Text:

March 14, 1925.
17
PRESTO
SAN FRANCISCO
PLANS FESTIVAL
Musical Dealers Prominent in Extensive Prep-
arations for Second Spring Music Festival
Considered Potent Aid for Stimulation
of Music Goods Sales.
ART SPIRIT SEEN
Special Efforts of San Francisco Music Houses to
Make Showrooms More Attractive Considered
Highly Significant.
Music dealers of San Francisco are naturally inter-
ested in the success of the Spring Music Festival to
be held in the Exposition Auditorium from April 18
to 25 inclusive. It is the second event of the kind and
the intention is to make it worthy of the musical
spirit of the city. It will focus the attention of the
public generally on high class music and the pro-
moters mean to make it a powerful means towards
the encouragement of music in all its phases.
The choral features will include singing by a choir
of 600 voices appearing with the San Francisco Sym-
phony Orchestra under Alfred Hertz. Rehearsals
for the great chorus numbers are now being con-
ducted under Dr. Hans Leschke, former chorus
director of the Charlottenberg Opera in Berlin. Many
members of the music trade are prominent in the
promotion of the great festival.
For Artistic Effects.
The great value of art in store operation is being
exemplified in all the progressive houses in San
Francisco. Not only in the goods themselves, artis-
tic grands, beautiful cabinets and other attractive
commodities, but in the manner' of presenting them,
are the evidences of the artistic feeling exhibited.
The Wiley B. Allen Co. maintains a regular depart-
ment under the management of an expert. Miss Anne
J. Baggs, and the pleasant duties of this clever young
lady are to provide the proper atmosphere in the
various showrooms and the stores of the company
everywhere along the Pacific Coast. In the San
Francisco store the show windows have been remod-
eled under the direction of Miss Baggs and during
a recent sojourn in Portland she planned the decora-
tions for two Ampico rooms for the local branch of
the company. Decorations and suitable arrange-
The Best Yet
Graceful lines, rugged construc-
tion, moderately priced. It's the
very best commercial piano from
every standpoint.
ments for an Ampico room in the Sacramento branch
and a recital hall in the Oakland branch are at pres-
ent getting Miss Baggs' artistic attentions.
But the Wiley B. Allen Co. is not alone in the
efforts to augment the artistic character of the music
goods with artistic surroundings. Visitors from the
eastern centers are always loud in their admiration of
the San Francisco music stores. The show windows
of the larger stores are noted examples of the desire
of the management of each establishment to impress
the observers with the artistic and cultural character
of the goods carried.
Change of Managers.
A change of managers is announced by Kohler &
Chase, San Francisco. H. L. Stoner, who has been
head of the Ampico department for several years,
has tendered his resignation to take effect this month
and M. A. Hill has been appointed to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Hill is now reorganizing the department and
making plans for a spirited campaign for Ampico
sales.
Musicians Surprised.
The San Francisco Board of Education has voted
for an expenditure of $7,000 for musical instruments
for the high school bands and the sum is only con-
sidered a beginning of a generous encouragement of
music in the schools. Everything in the brass, reed
and string variety of band and orchestra instruments
is included in the provision to purchase, except the
saxophone, and the whyso of the discrimination is
disturbing the music trade, the musicians and the
high school pupils.
Saxophones are not specifically forbidden in the
bands and orchestras but no sum of money in the
seven thousand dollars voted by the board is avail-
able for the purchase of a saxophone. Should a boy
elect to play a saxophone in a band he is granted the
privilege of spending his own money for its pur-
chase.
RADIO STUDIO OPENED
BY HARDMAN, PECK & CO.
Dedicatory Event on Tuesday of This Week Fol-
lowed by Dinner at Hotel McAlpin.
Hardman, Peck & Co., New York, opened its
broadcasting studio in the warerooms at 433 Fifth
avenue this week. The studio is connected by relay
with Station WMCA at the McAlpin Hotel. A
"Hardman Hour" program will be given each Tues-
day evening between 8 and 9 o'clock.
The dedicatory address was delivered on Tuesday
evening of this week by Calvin T. Purdy, retail sales
manager for Hardman, Peck & Co., and Stephen
Czukor arranged the program.
At the conclusion of the "Hardman Hour" the
artists on the opening program, the officials and
salesmen of Hardman, Peck & Co. were entertained
at dinner at the Hotel McAlpin. Among the artists
were Carmclo Ponselle, operatic star; Louise Bave,
coloratura soprano; John Carroll, American baritone,
and Benar Barzelay, Polish violinist; Dorothy Hig-
gins, accompanist and Edward Squires, who officially
opened the studio.
NEW ILLINOIS STORE.
The Radio and Music Shop which will be con-
ducted by Phillip Henderson at 115 Washington
street, Beardstown, 111., was opened last week. The
store carries a line of radios, small musical instru-
ments, phonographs and pianos. Radio repairing is
also specialized in. Mr. Henderson, the proprietor,
is a former resident of Beardstown. He left here
two and one-half years ago for Chicago where he
worked until he returned to Beardstown to open this
shop.
PASTOR TELLS HOW
KRAKAUER WAS CHOSEN
Letter to Yahrling-Rayner Music Co., Youngs-
town, O., Relates Incident in Choice
of Piano for Church.
Every week adds to the list of colleges, schools,
church organizations and fraternal bodies which have
purchased a Krakauer Bros, piano and every notifica-
tion of a purchase also brings a warm testimonial of
the customer's satisfaction in the purchase and
pleasure in the use of the piano.
The letters from the buyers of the pianos are par-
ticularly pleasing to Krakauer Bros., New York, be-
cause a recognition of the Krakauer piano tone qual-
ity and durability of construction are expressed
therein. The piano represents consistent effort of the
company for fifty-six years to produce pianos of
tone and design to evoke the approval of the most
critical.
A recent addition to the Krakauer Bros, piano
owners is the Presbyterian Church, New Galilee, Pa.,
whose pastor wrote as follows to the Krakauer Bros,
representative in Youngstown, O.:
New Galilee, Pa.
Yahrling-Rayner Music Co.,
Youngstown, Ohio.
My Dear Mr. Christian:
After investigating the merits of more than a dozen
different makes of pianos, we selected a "Krakauer,"
which we purchased of the Yahrling-Rayner Music
Co., of Youngstown, Ohio. After several months
trial we by no means regret the choice.
J. F. KIRK BRIDE,
Pastor Presbyterian Church.
OPENS IN WASHINGTON, D. C.
Foy, Inc., is now doing business in the new Trans-
portation Building, Seventeenth and H streets, Wash-
ington, D. C. Edward T. Foy is proprietor and
manager. The house features phonographs and rec-
ords and has the agency for radio products, including
the Brunsvvick-Radiola combination. The location is
in a fine business section, one block from the White
House and the State, War and Navy Departments.
THIRD FRENCH SALON.
The third Salon de la Musique will be held in con-
nection with the Paris Fair from May 9 to 24 this
year. The space at the disposition of participants
amounts to 2,400 square metres. This compares with
1,800 square metres at the second salon, and 1,000
square metres at the first.
CHANGES IN BUTTE, MONT.
N. L. Julian, the new manager of the A. W-. Hunt
Music Co., Butte, Mont., is widely known in the
music trade of the section of the west. Another
change in the sales arrangement is the appointment
of Mrs. Agnes Tower as manager of the sheet music
department, which is of high importance in the store.
For a
Bigger and Better
Business
There is nothing to compare
with the complete line of
SELLS LAFAYETTE BUSINESS.
Style 32—4 ft. 4 in.
WESER
Rev. George W. Switzer has disposed of his inter-
ests in the Claypool-Miller Co. music house at La-
fayette, Ind., and the business is now in the hands of
C. W. Hickman. A trade deal of residence property
is said to have figured in the transfer.
Pianos and Players
W. P. Haines & Co.
Sell Readily—Stay Sold
Manufacturers of
BRADBURY, WEBSTER
and
W. P. HAINES & CO.
Grand, Upright and Reproducing
Pianos
138th Street and Walton Avenue
NEW YORK
Send to-day for catalogue, prices and
details of our liberal financing plan
Weser Bros., Inc.
520 to 528 W. 43rd St., New York
M. SCHULZ CO.
The Players are RIGHT in
everything t h a t means
money to the dealers and
satisfaction to the public
You will never do anything better
than when you get in touch with
M. SCHULZ CO.
711 Milwaukee Avenue
CHICAGO
OITTHRRN BRANCH: 730 Gander Hd*. ATLANTA. GA
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/

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