Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

dependable course if he purchases mer·
chandise vendors, scales, phonographs, and
one or two counter machines, which do
not need frequent replacing.
Breaking down the involved questions
confronting operators, the important issue
is the profit angle. After all, that is the
final aim. Every operator wants big prof·
its. How to achieve them becomes his am·
bition from the first and, weaving through
all location and machine problems and
solutions offered, is that one word "Profit:'
Logic is needed in the pursuit of profits
more than anywhere else. A route of 100
amusement machines would have to net a
larger profit per machine than you would
expect to receive from each bulk vendor
on a route of 500. And-the initial cost of
amusement machines is much higher than
that of bulk vendors, the life much shorter.
Consequently, you must set aside a larger
percentage for depreciation of equipment.
Scales, phonographs, and other types of
service machines may be operated for even
longer periods, and, of course, their per·
centage for depreciation of equipment must
be still lower.
COIN
MACHINE
REVIEW
56
The Henry Grille, in Riverside, Calif., is one of the busiest refreshment spots on the West
Coast - a gothering place for a great many Army and Navy men. Recently this location
installed a new Victory Model Wurlitzer 750. Says Henry Meyers , the proprietor, "Am very
well pleased with the new Wurlitzer 750. Since it has been installed, I have done considerable
more business."
FOR
SEPT.
J94J
Location Knowledge of Paramount
Importance In Selecting Machines
A Smart Buyer!
Are You?
If you know how to buy coin machines,
chances are your worries are few! For the
toughest of the hundreds of tough prob·
lems confronting an operator is puzzler,
"Which machines shall I buy?"
Your dealer, your own examination of
machines, a fellow operator . . . all might
be solutions but usually are not. The
friend who is "coining" money with a crop
of machines might suggest them-but that
is no guarantee they will be money·makers
on your route. Manufacturers never take
chances, a frail mechanism, lack of player·
appeal in a machine might mean the loss
of thousands of dollars with an entire in·
vestment in tools, dies and raw materials
thrown away. So, before it is ever put on
the open market, a machine has to be
proven popular on test locations.
So, you have to choose from coin mao
chines that are good machines-mechanic·
ally sound, with playing appeal for some
operators.
In the school of buying, gleaned by the
experiences of hundreds of seasoned oper·
ators, the one suggestion that is believed
about the most reliable 'Ind safest from
the financial point of view is the "trying
out" method. Buy one or two machines of
a certain type and put them on your route.
If a machine fails in one location, try it in
another. Perhaps the second, or even a
third or fourth spot will be the success
spot. But, if the machine meets endless
failure-you can console yourself that you
have lost an investment in one or two
machines, not fifty. However, if the test
machines bring in quick coin returns, you'll
be pretty safe in purchasing more for loca·
tions all along your route.
The small town operator, not able to
make even an experimental gamble, lack·
ing enough spots to switch machines from
one to another, will probably be taking a
That brings us to the place where you
are put upon the bench as judge. How
good is your judgment? Do you know
when to dispose of a machine? Can you
accurately compute the minimum earning
figure of a machine from its original cost
and estimated life-and then have the
courage to "pull" it without delay when
the earnings fall below this minimum? If
you can't, you're taking profits away from
your other machines which are paying their
own way!
To sum it all up, perhaps the simplest
advice is: Know your territory backward
and forward ! You'll know pretty well be·
forehand what types of machines you can
spot profitably! You'll be able to compare
one machine with another from the stand·
points of design and construction and then
purchase those which look best to you!
Know your locations . . . know the people
who patronize them . . . and you have a
firm foundation for building yourself the
title "A Smart Buyer."
•
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*
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"Who commands in your house?"
"We share the management. My wife
bosses the servants and the children; I
attend to the goldfish."
•
The owner of the Town Hall Diner in East HarHord , Conn., has found that his customers are
enthusiastic about Pla-Mor music and are delighted with the beautiful tone of the Pla-Mor
Wall Console Speaker, model 600.