Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

NEWS
LAST MINUTE REPORTS-PREDICTIONS-FORECASTS and GOOD OLD
FASHIONED RUMORS COMPRISE THIS NEW REPORTING SERVICE OF
liTHE REVIEW." THIS PAGE IS WRITTEN AS THE FINAL FORMS GO TO
PRESS ON THE 20th.
NEW EQUIPMENT DELIVERIES: The picture changes rapidly. New strikes
and help shortages aren't conducive to early deliveries and manufactur-
ers are revamping schedules and early delivery promises.
Cabinets pro-
vide a terrific bottleneck. Wood of fair quality is very scarce and
cabinet 'firms are hanging their excuses for delayed delivery on this
fact, plus strikes and labor problems. A few games and vendors will
continue to be delivered between now and January 1st but don't look for
any large scale shipments until February or March ••••••• and that's be-
ing optimistic • .
PHONOGRAPHS: Picture is about the same here. One old line manufactur-
er expects to have samples out during December and start quantity de-
livery in January. Others are talking of samples for display in January
and deliveries as conditions permit in the months following.
Quick
check of production figures reveals that about 130,000 phonographs will
roll off production lines in 1946 - - - which would permit a replace-
ment for every third phono now on location.
Trends:· Despite conditions,
price will playa big part in the competitive sales picture.
One mfr.
will knock the props out of the price structure with a phono around
$500. Average will be around $650-$750. Look for smaller phonos, too.
Big phonos are out. New models will be smaller, compact, easier to·
handle, light and more practical. Suppliers: Nine Starters are in the
1946 Phono Derby: Aireon, A. M. I., Bally, Gabel, Mills, Packard, Rock-
Ola, Seeburg and Wurlitzer.
Capehart will divide his time between Wash-
ington and Indianapolis and enter the field with his own machine. Add:
3 new Dark Horses. Roberts has left Mills and is reported to be link-
ing up with Kressburg, formerly of Seeburg, on a deal with Philben to
manufacture a phonograph. Majestic is rumored to still be on the prowl
and interested in this field, and Zenith is considering a coin-operated
mechanism and surveying the field.
This would make an even dozen con-
tenders for operator-business in '46. Hold on to your hats, boys!
VENDING. Picture is about steady., Manufacturers of machines, other than
cigarette vendors, feel no reason for hurry for the merchandise isn't
available. No candy. Soft drinks short on account of sugar. Vendors
in both fields will go into the moth balls temporarily, although orders
will likely be booked from samples the first quarter of 1946.
In the
Cigarette field, Rowe is out ahead on deliveries with new machines on
top for delivery starting January 1st.
COIN MOVIES: Look for a big revival in this field during the first half
of next year. Several new manufacturers will enter the business and the
old standbys will be back with new and improved devices. And with the
resumption of manufacturing, an embryo crop of picture producers will
be in evidence.
S~me startling improvements have been made in coin-
operated movie machines.
USED EQUIPMENT: Although prices are slowly declining the trade-ins on
new equipment will be more than most operators expect. Far-sighted
mfrs. have made export arrangements that will result in holding up a
fair price schedule on trade-in machines. Used prices will hold firm
during the first half of 1946, despite new machine deliveries.
This
info comes from an intelligent check made on 28 key men in the field.
Fact- is there ust won't be en