Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

l
•
drink vendors. Philadelphia music
operators are trying for a good pub-
licity story in Life.
RECORDS. 'The authoritative Printers'
Ink said recently that the public is
beginning to complain about poor quality
of records, discs warping easily, high
prices of albums, etc. Recently, record
SEPTEMBER TURNING. Habit has fixed
it so that we all expect a turning,
retailers in New Jersey appealed to
preferably a business pick-up, after
manufacturers to limit retail outlets
in future since state already has too
Labor Day. This is the normal course in
normal years, and this year it will be
many dealers. After declines in April
just another proof that times are get-
and May, probable record output for
ting back to normal. A general lookout
1947 was revised downward from 400,000
for business signs has been kept this
to 300,000. The best guess at what 1947
year throughout the country. All seem
output may be still stood at 300,000 in
to agree that general business and em-
mid-summer. Entny of Rudolph Wurlitzer
ployment are at high levels and, if
into record manufacturing for their
there is danger, it is inflation danger. retail stores attracted attention among
phono operators.
High cost of living will be a big cam-
paign issue next year, if it continues
COIN WASHERS. Coin-operated washing
at high level.
machines seemed to get more publicity
recently than other machines; some of
BACK TO NORMAL. The Coin Machine
the washer publicity was unfavorable
Industry seemed to be getting back to
but this seems to be passing over. The
normal, perhaps faster than the country
washers also got some excellent pub-
itself. Trade news was generally very
licity, especially in the financial
quiet during the summer and manufac-
papers. The move of the "opposition"
turers and distributors used the word,
against washers on sanitary grounds may
"Slow," in describing business, just -
. cause trouble at intervals, as part of
l 'i ke in the old days. Trade reports
a planned program. Operators of the
from various cities read more like the
coin laundries will need to give spe-
normal days before the war; some ma-
chines have dropped in play while others cial heed to sanitary regulations.
NEW MACHINES. Theoretically, new
have shown increases. Missing in all
machine announcements would slow down
the reports are the old complaints of
cut-throat competition. Times won't be
fully normal till that all comes back.
The Industry is a lot bigger now than
before the war and that is something
new to consider in analyzing trade
reports.
CUP VENDORS. The type of machine
that seemed to take the lead in prog-
ress made during the summer was the cup
type of soft drink dispenser. Bottle
types are standard and were being
placed over the country as fast as the
f!7k~;....;:;;.:::;.
factories could produce them. Cup ma-
chines are newer and their progress was
speeded up this summer by announcement
of new machines by important manufac-
(' ~ Plastic Head!
turers. The new machines add much to
the outlook for this type of machine,
Streamlined Design!
and by next summer production should
('
New Appeal!
be high enough to see them placed
widely over the country. The march of
the cup vendors was aided by machines
for dispensing coffee and juices, also
using paper cups.
PUBLICITY. Summer quietness also
seemed to settle on the publicity given
to the trade in the press. Radio men-
California
tions kept up a good ratio·, but press
California Operators:
mentions seemed to drop off or else I
Distributors:
Get Your
missed them. Radio News, August issue,
CHALLENGER now!
page 56, had an interesting article on
coin radios. Hotels ; tourist cabins and
The NICKABOB COMPANY
hospitals said to bA best locations of
2525 West Pico Boulevard
some 60,000 coin sets in use. National
Bottlers Gazette reportedly will soon
Los Angeles 6 !Phone: FAirfax 1107). Calif.
issue a group of five articles on soft
BUl[Sm#t~
CHALLENG
r
@ . .
COIH
MACHIHE
REVIEW
13
FOR
SEPTEMBER
7947