Marketplace

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There is one most important job ahead for all operators. This has become most vital
due to energy rationing. As all realize present gasoline rationing is a farce. It will
become more severe with passing months. So far politicos are spoonfeeding the public.
~en real gasoline rationing comes into being it's going to hit hard. Servicing is go-
ing to become a real test. A matter of great ingenuity. Gas is going to be rough to get
and the cost will be away 'way up. The one big and important job ahead for operators is
to arrange for a "service charge". And do it NOW! The $10 "service charge" we opted for
these past years is now much, much too low. Today's "service charge", due to continued
galloping inflation, should be at least S20. But there must be a start. And just like
kids are given "starter" golf sets, bikes, baseball gloves, etc., the "starter service
charge" should be $10 off the top of each gross collection.
Of all the gorgeous Xmas cards we received an.1.,believe us, for which we're most sin-
cerely and humbly thankful to have so many remember us, one card recalled a host of
memories. The card was from Dorothy and Paul Laymon of Pacific Palisades,Calif. (Aside
to Jimmy Wilkins, how does Paul look and feel these days?) ••• Eastern Airlines' maga-
zine features ad from Fountain Industries, Albert Lea,Minn., offering coin and non-coin
operated multi-select hot beverage servers in 16 models, yet •••• The U.S.Treasury has
asked Congress for permission to mint pennies from aluminum. Mary Brooks, director, ad-
vises pennies can no longer be profitably minted because of copper's high price. Reports
Treasury will save $40 million a year minting aluminum pennies. She also believes impact
on 1¢ venders will be minimal because of lighter weight aluminum pennies. ( Wonder what
penny vender operators think?)
Traveling cut to minimum by mfrs and distribs. More reliance on long distance phones.
Plane schedules so disrupted even those who must fly, want to be assured a return flight
before leaving. What's worse, non-stop return flight suddenly cancelled and returnee is
transfered to flight that makes one, two and more stops, upsetting return time and forc-
ing cancellation of appointments. (It's gettin' mighty rough for travelin', fellers. )
With so many unemployed and more on the way, have been asked whether this would
bring batch of new blood into the industry. Don't think so. Prices of today's music,
games, venders, much too high for any really big influx of new blood. Same lice, high
pressuring the witless into entering this field with all sorts of phony equip't, will
always be around. But no big influx of new blood ~n ahead.
Another question: Will some cut back on pricing and commissions? Answer: They'll be
nuts if they do. Inflation now galloping at highest peak in history. Not only in U.S.
but worldwide. In fact, many economists believe '74 will be most horrible inflation
year. Operators will need more than "2-Bits Play". They'll need a "service charge" and
a more equitable commission basis to offset fantastic prices of equip't, cost of labor,
transport, parts and supplies, higher taxation and zooming overhead expenses. (This is
one year that's sure to separate the men from the boys.) .•. Was also asked: Do you
see many operators going out of business this year? Answer: No more than usual. What
can happen is that many small and/or inefficiently conducted routes will be sold to big
and more financially powerful operators. Much of this is going on right this minute.
(Yes, sir, a great many changes are ahead as energy condition worsens and financing
becomes tighter.)
4 ·PLAYER FLIPPER Convertible toADD·A·BALL
A Circus of Fun for Players! .
Big Box Off ice for Operators !