Music Trade Review
Issue: 1895 Vol. 21 N. 12 - Page 11
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
A "Talk" With the Dealers.
REFLECTIONS
,
ON THE PAST, PRESENT AND
..
FUTURE.
T
HE opening days of the fall season are
at hand, and it is not an inauspicious
tune to look back and review the lessons
which have been learned since last fall.
All dealers have undergone a trying pe-
riod in the history of the trade. The num-
ber who have achieved success is small in
comparison with those who have made mis-
takes.
Now that good times are practically in
our midst, and the outlook for improved
trade is bright, it is well to impress on
those who have achieved success that they
must not get inflated with a sense of their
own importance, nor must those who have
experienced failure in many of their ven-
tures feel discouraged. The tide has al-
ways a turn, and it may be in favor of the
latter.
Experience is a great teacher, and cau-
tion follows in its train bringing better re-
sults. It tones down the optimist and
braces up the pessimist.
At no time was it so necessary to gauge
the future with caution. Dealers should
calculate and estimate what they are likely
to butt against. The business man must
be dull who is unable to derive certain
benefits from the lessons in hard times
which this country has passed through re-
cently.
There are three things which dealers
should weigh well and consider: First,
study the requirements of your community
more than you did in the past: carry a
stock that will suit them and catch their
trade.
Second, don't figure on selling every in-
dividual in your town, city or section a
piano or organ.
Third, don't forget that there are other
stores, and that they also sell pianos and
organs.
The proprietors are just as bright as you
arc. They know what instruments can be
bought and sold for, and each succeeding
season they calculate selling more.
Then perhaps they carry in stock fewer
pianos of different makes, but a larger se-
lection than you do, and in this way are
better able to please the manufacturers
with whom the}' deal and prevent custom-
ers from being puzzled as to which of the
numerous makes are the best.
The dealer who hopes to avoid carrying
a heavy surplus stock of instruments at the
end of the season—which is inevitable if
his representation includes an unlimited
number instead of a few makes of pianos
or organs—should at the present time,
THE
when the fall season is opening up, make
his selection of stock with discrimination
and tact.
Another important feature toward suc-
cess, is displaying and advertising. They
are both essential to building up trade.
Tasteful warerooms wherein the instru-
ments are displayed to advantage, and with
an eye to artistic effects, helped out by a
show-window that will attract the attention
of passers by, are first and foremost an ab-
solute necessity.
Then the salesman has a chance to de-
monstrate his ability.
Don't expect him to achieve wonders
without expending money in advertising.
There should be no sympathy for the man
who endeavors to dodge mistakes or will-
fully blunders, but before coming to con-
clusions it would be well to understand that
your success is dependent upon his success,
and that fewer mistakes will be made if
this is kept in mind at all times.
Again, to close this "talk," it would be
well for dealers to make careful "sound-
ings," as it were.
Do not be influenced in your purchases
because your friend across the street is
making an extra big splurge, and taking
the agency for three, four or five new in-
struments. Measure carefully your every
step, and don't allow ultra-enthusiasm to
elope with your wisdom.
The movements of your friend across the
street are worth watching, of course, but
not always wise to follow.
Be sure to shelve conservatism and pes-
simism, and move with the times. Ana-
lyze your position, plan ahead, don't over-
crowd your warerooms by taking the agen
cy for every new piano, keep a good vari-
ety of instruments, make your warerooms
attractive, advertise liberally, and you will
increase your bank account and gladden the
heart of the manufacturer by buying his
instruments as fast as he can make them.
The Grunewald Mandolins.
WHAT DEALERS THINK OF THEM.
HE Grunewald mandolins, manufactur-
ed by Rene Grunewald, of New Or-
leans, are fast winning their way into pub-
lic favor. Well known musicians and deal-
ers are unanimous in their praise, and the
following letters are but a few of a similar
nature which are being sent to Mr. Gru-
newald every week. They speak for them-
selves:
We take great pleasure in stating that
all the various grades of mandolins you
have made for us, have proven very satis-
factory indeed, and are much admired by
our customers. Your finest grades are
second to none, and the artists seem to pre-
T
CELEBRATED
STEGER
fer their tone to any other mandolin made.
We congratulate you.
L. GRUNEWALD CO.,LTD.,
New Orleans, La.
Are well pleased with your goods, and
those that have been sold give perfect sat-
isfaction.
TEMPLE MUSIC CO.,
Temple, Tex.
We like your mandolins very much, and
would like to become your agents in this
city.
LONG, GARDNER & Co.,
Paducah, Ky.
I am highly pleased at the selection of
mandolins, and will dispose of them in
short order. You will hear from me soon
for more goods.
IRWIN MUSIC CO.,
Thomasville, Ga.
Mandolins received, which are entirely
satisfactory, and they are nicely finished
and have a splendid tone.
HAUSCHILD BROS. MUSIC CO.,
Victoria, Tex.
I am exceedingly pleased with the case
of mandolins. They are far superior to
what I had.
J. C. HAKNDEN,
Abilene, Tex.
Your mandolins are the best in the mar-
ket for the money,.
A. G. GARDNER,
Los Angeles, Cal.
I must admit that the case of mandolins
received from you were the choicest selec-
tion I ever saw, and every one here is well
pleased with them.
R. S. HOPE,
Clarksville, Tenn.
Pipe Organ, Piano Style. ''
G
UST ANDERSON, a jeweler, and
Emil Erickson, an old resident of
Ishpeming, Mich., are just completing a
pipe organ, which they have been working
on during their leisure hours for the past
few months. The instrument is quite dif-
ferent from the ordinary pipe organ, and is
of entirely original design. It is provided
with 122 keys—three more than church
pipe organs -and is composed from C to
C, while other pipe organs are composed
from C to G. The tone, says the Marquet
Journal, is sweet and clear. The action is
as quick as that of a piano, and although
the power is provided entirely by the foot
pedals, it is no task to operate it. The
sound is nothing like that produced from
reed organs. The instrument is as well
adapted to parlor use, for which it is whol-
ly intended, as a piano. It is the same
shape as a piano, and is constructed so as
to pass through an ordinary door. It will
be finished entirely in oak, and will be
completed in about two weeks. They have
begun work on a larger organ of the same
style, which will be constructed for church
purposes.
•
;
•
PIANOS
M STEGER & CO., Manufacturers,
PATEIMTEO 1892.
Factory, Columbia Heights.
are nored for their fine singing quality of
tone and great durability.
The most
profitable Piano for dealers to handle,
235 WABASH AVENUE, CHICAGO.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
A "Talk" With the Dealers.
REFLECTIONS
,
ON THE PAST, PRESENT AND
..
FUTURE.
T
HE opening days of the fall season are
at hand, and it is not an inauspicious
tune to look back and review the lessons
which have been learned since last fall.
All dealers have undergone a trying pe-
riod in the history of the trade. The num-
ber who have achieved success is small in
comparison with those who have made mis-
takes.
Now that good times are practically in
our midst, and the outlook for improved
trade is bright, it is well to impress on
those who have achieved success that they
must not get inflated with a sense of their
own importance, nor must those who have
experienced failure in many of their ven-
tures feel discouraged. The tide has al-
ways a turn, and it may be in favor of the
latter.
Experience is a great teacher, and cau-
tion follows in its train bringing better re-
sults. It tones down the optimist and
braces up the pessimist.
At no time was it so necessary to gauge
the future with caution. Dealers should
calculate and estimate what they are likely
to butt against. The business man must
be dull who is unable to derive certain
benefits from the lessons in hard times
which this country has passed through re-
cently.
There are three things which dealers
should weigh well and consider: First,
study the requirements of your community
more than you did in the past: carry a
stock that will suit them and catch their
trade.
Second, don't figure on selling every in-
dividual in your town, city or section a
piano or organ.
Third, don't forget that there are other
stores, and that they also sell pianos and
organs.
The proprietors are just as bright as you
arc. They know what instruments can be
bought and sold for, and each succeeding
season they calculate selling more.
Then perhaps they carry in stock fewer
pianos of different makes, but a larger se-
lection than you do, and in this way are
better able to please the manufacturers
with whom the}' deal and prevent custom-
ers from being puzzled as to which of the
numerous makes are the best.
The dealer who hopes to avoid carrying
a heavy surplus stock of instruments at the
end of the season—which is inevitable if
his representation includes an unlimited
number instead of a few makes of pianos
or organs—should at the present time,
THE
when the fall season is opening up, make
his selection of stock with discrimination
and tact.
Another important feature toward suc-
cess, is displaying and advertising. They
are both essential to building up trade.
Tasteful warerooms wherein the instru-
ments are displayed to advantage, and with
an eye to artistic effects, helped out by a
show-window that will attract the attention
of passers by, are first and foremost an ab-
solute necessity.
Then the salesman has a chance to de-
monstrate his ability.
Don't expect him to achieve wonders
without expending money in advertising.
There should be no sympathy for the man
who endeavors to dodge mistakes or will-
fully blunders, but before coming to con-
clusions it would be well to understand that
your success is dependent upon his success,
and that fewer mistakes will be made if
this is kept in mind at all times.
Again, to close this "talk," it would be
well for dealers to make careful "sound-
ings," as it were.
Do not be influenced in your purchases
because your friend across the street is
making an extra big splurge, and taking
the agency for three, four or five new in-
struments. Measure carefully your every
step, and don't allow ultra-enthusiasm to
elope with your wisdom.
The movements of your friend across the
street are worth watching, of course, but
not always wise to follow.
Be sure to shelve conservatism and pes-
simism, and move with the times. Ana-
lyze your position, plan ahead, don't over-
crowd your warerooms by taking the agen
cy for every new piano, keep a good vari-
ety of instruments, make your warerooms
attractive, advertise liberally, and you will
increase your bank account and gladden the
heart of the manufacturer by buying his
instruments as fast as he can make them.
The Grunewald Mandolins.
WHAT DEALERS THINK OF THEM.
HE Grunewald mandolins, manufactur-
ed by Rene Grunewald, of New Or-
leans, are fast winning their way into pub-
lic favor. Well known musicians and deal-
ers are unanimous in their praise, and the
following letters are but a few of a similar
nature which are being sent to Mr. Gru-
newald every week. They speak for them-
selves:
We take great pleasure in stating that
all the various grades of mandolins you
have made for us, have proven very satis-
factory indeed, and are much admired by
our customers. Your finest grades are
second to none, and the artists seem to pre-
T
CELEBRATED
STEGER
fer their tone to any other mandolin made.
We congratulate you.
L. GRUNEWALD CO.,LTD.,
New Orleans, La.
Are well pleased with your goods, and
those that have been sold give perfect sat-
isfaction.
TEMPLE MUSIC CO.,
Temple, Tex.
We like your mandolins very much, and
would like to become your agents in this
city.
LONG, GARDNER & Co.,
Paducah, Ky.
I am highly pleased at the selection of
mandolins, and will dispose of them in
short order. You will hear from me soon
for more goods.
IRWIN MUSIC CO.,
Thomasville, Ga.
Mandolins received, which are entirely
satisfactory, and they are nicely finished
and have a splendid tone.
HAUSCHILD BROS. MUSIC CO.,
Victoria, Tex.
I am exceedingly pleased with the case
of mandolins. They are far superior to
what I had.
J. C. HAKNDEN,
Abilene, Tex.
Your mandolins are the best in the mar-
ket for the money,.
A. G. GARDNER,
Los Angeles, Cal.
I must admit that the case of mandolins
received from you were the choicest selec-
tion I ever saw, and every one here is well
pleased with them.
R. S. HOPE,
Clarksville, Tenn.
Pipe Organ, Piano Style. ''
G
UST ANDERSON, a jeweler, and
Emil Erickson, an old resident of
Ishpeming, Mich., are just completing a
pipe organ, which they have been working
on during their leisure hours for the past
few months. The instrument is quite dif-
ferent from the ordinary pipe organ, and is
of entirely original design. It is provided
with 122 keys—three more than church
pipe organs -and is composed from C to
C, while other pipe organs are composed
from C to G. The tone, says the Marquet
Journal, is sweet and clear. The action is
as quick as that of a piano, and although
the power is provided entirely by the foot
pedals, it is no task to operate it. The
sound is nothing like that produced from
reed organs. The instrument is as well
adapted to parlor use, for which it is whol-
ly intended, as a piano. It is the same
shape as a piano, and is constructed so as
to pass through an ordinary door. It will
be finished entirely in oak, and will be
completed in about two weeks. They have
begun work on a larger organ of the same
style, which will be constructed for church
purposes.
•
;
•
PIANOS
M STEGER & CO., Manufacturers,
PATEIMTEO 1892.
Factory, Columbia Heights.
are nored for their fine singing quality of
tone and great durability.
The most
profitable Piano for dealers to handle,
235 WABASH AVENUE, CHICAGO.
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