Music Trade Review
Issue: 1916 Vol. 62 N. 23 - Page 9
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE LATCH STRING IS OUT
(Continued from page 3)
Meanwhile, whether he comes to participate solely in the most serious trade discussions, or partly for
the purpose of enjoying the entertainment, the piano man who attends the convention will find that the
New York trade has anticipated his desires. The program is an elaborate one. New York men have
contributed liberally and without stint in order that the visitors within her gates shall enjoy every minute
of their stay there, and that their womenfolk may likewise go home with the most friendly feeling for the
metropolis of the New World and for the men who make and sell pianos there.
The knocker has been removed from New York's door, the latch string hangs out, and a hearty welcome
is prepared for all who visit her.
As an example of the work done by the committee the book-
let states that a music store in a large city advertised $350 used
pianos for $55 and $400 used pianos for $75. When customers
asked for these pianos they were told that the instruments had
been sold, and were shown other "bargains." By sending eight
different shoppers to ask for the advertised pianos the local
Vigilance Committee finally bought one of them and proved that
the dealer intended to sell for $129 the piano which he adver-
tised for $55. The Committee showed the dealer that this form
of "bait advertising" was confidence-wrecking, as well as a viola-
tion of the State advertising law, and that future violations
would be taken into court. The piano dealer subsequently
changed his advertising, with the result that he is now building
up a much more substantial business and reputation than was
possible under his old system.
The National Vigilance Committee is maintained by the
Associated Advertising Clubs of the World as a national clear-
ing house for truth-in-advertising activities. It handles every
year hundreds of cases of misleading advertising reported to it
by national advertisers, publishers and other committees. A
copy of the booklet referred to above can be secured without
cost from Merle Sidener, Merchants Bank Building, Indianapolis,
Ind., and piano dealers who are interested in increasing their
own business, and at the same time purging the industry of the
questionable advertising which sometimes appears therein, will
profit by a perusal of this booklet.
PIANO traveler in a chat with The Review this week re-
A
marked that there is again a tendency among piano merchants
to take on too many lines of pianos and players, which sell at about
the same price and in the same grade. The fallacy of carrying too
large a line of instruments was clearly shown during the depression
which existed some few years ago, and a paring down policy was
inaugurated, which, it was hoped dealers would adhere to.
There is no question but that concentration on a smaller line of
instruments is much more effective than spreading one's energies.
Concentration is the policy of the hour, and a division of effort tends
to accomplish nothing. With a smaJl but strong line of instruments
the dealer is better fitted to bring their merits to the attention of the
public in a more complete and convincing way. Moreover he has
fewer accounts with manufacturers, less worry, and a more compact
business. In other words, he knows where he is at. It is difficult
for the dealer and the sales force to enthuse over a large line of
instruments, particularly when so many of them are in the same
grade and sold nearly at the same price.
MONG business men generally in all lines of industry, a
A
great fear prevails that following the present European
war, there will be a great industrial depression in the United
State. That this view is not shared in by Secretary of Commerce
Redfield was disclosed in a recent statement in which he pointed
out that the country's so-called war business did not exceed five
per cent, of its total industrial and commercial activity. Neces-
sary adjustments after the war will be important, and perhaps
serious, according to Mr. Redfield, but the relative importance of
war business done is over estimated.
i
Mr. Redfield further points out the important fact that this
much discussed war business does not exceed one-quarter of our
exports and possibly not quite that much even without them.
Our exports would be much larger than before the war, as our
shipments to South America, for example, have more than
doubled. Mr. Redfield expresses the opinion that many plants
now providing war material could be readily turned into the
industrial uses of peace.
While Mr. Redfield is notoriously an optimist in a great
many questions of national interest, yet we hope he is a true
prophet in this instance. All the same it will be necessary for
manufacturers to prepare for any emergency, and this can best
be done by working earnestly to hold the export trade they have
gained during the present European catastrophe.
GETTING DOWN TO PLAIN PLAYER FACTS
The education of the public along player lines is a necessity for the expansion of the player business.
There is no doubt of that; and education of the piano merchants and salesmen is also a vital necessity,
because through them will come a powerful force in the education of the public; and right here we wish to
remark that we have produced a line of books upon the player-piano which comprehensively covers the
entire player situation.
In this respect this trade newspaper stands alone, for it has been the principal source from which player
information has been available for piano merchants and salesmen for a period of years. Our latest book,
"The Player-Piano Up to Date"
is the best of the series. It contains upwards of 220 pages of matter bearing directly upon the player.
Every piano merchant and piano salesman should have a copy of this book within easy reach. It
gives to readers a fund of information not obtainable elsewhere.
It contains a series of original drawings and a vast amount of instructive and educational matter, as
well as a detailed description of some of the principal player mechanisms.
It costs $1.50 to have this book delivered to any address in the United States, and your money will be
refunded if you are not satisfied with the book after examination. No one yet has availed himself of this
opportunity. Foreign countries, 15c. to cover extra postage, should be added.
Estate of EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Publisher
373 Fourth Ave., New York
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE LATCH STRING IS OUT
(Continued from page 3)
Meanwhile, whether he comes to participate solely in the most serious trade discussions, or partly for
the purpose of enjoying the entertainment, the piano man who attends the convention will find that the
New York trade has anticipated his desires. The program is an elaborate one. New York men have
contributed liberally and without stint in order that the visitors within her gates shall enjoy every minute
of their stay there, and that their womenfolk may likewise go home with the most friendly feeling for the
metropolis of the New World and for the men who make and sell pianos there.
The knocker has been removed from New York's door, the latch string hangs out, and a hearty welcome
is prepared for all who visit her.
As an example of the work done by the committee the book-
let states that a music store in a large city advertised $350 used
pianos for $55 and $400 used pianos for $75. When customers
asked for these pianos they were told that the instruments had
been sold, and were shown other "bargains." By sending eight
different shoppers to ask for the advertised pianos the local
Vigilance Committee finally bought one of them and proved that
the dealer intended to sell for $129 the piano which he adver-
tised for $55. The Committee showed the dealer that this form
of "bait advertising" was confidence-wrecking, as well as a viola-
tion of the State advertising law, and that future violations
would be taken into court. The piano dealer subsequently
changed his advertising, with the result that he is now building
up a much more substantial business and reputation than was
possible under his old system.
The National Vigilance Committee is maintained by the
Associated Advertising Clubs of the World as a national clear-
ing house for truth-in-advertising activities. It handles every
year hundreds of cases of misleading advertising reported to it
by national advertisers, publishers and other committees. A
copy of the booklet referred to above can be secured without
cost from Merle Sidener, Merchants Bank Building, Indianapolis,
Ind., and piano dealers who are interested in increasing their
own business, and at the same time purging the industry of the
questionable advertising which sometimes appears therein, will
profit by a perusal of this booklet.
PIANO traveler in a chat with The Review this week re-
A
marked that there is again a tendency among piano merchants
to take on too many lines of pianos and players, which sell at about
the same price and in the same grade. The fallacy of carrying too
large a line of instruments was clearly shown during the depression
which existed some few years ago, and a paring down policy was
inaugurated, which, it was hoped dealers would adhere to.
There is no question but that concentration on a smaller line of
instruments is much more effective than spreading one's energies.
Concentration is the policy of the hour, and a division of effort tends
to accomplish nothing. With a smaJl but strong line of instruments
the dealer is better fitted to bring their merits to the attention of the
public in a more complete and convincing way. Moreover he has
fewer accounts with manufacturers, less worry, and a more compact
business. In other words, he knows where he is at. It is difficult
for the dealer and the sales force to enthuse over a large line of
instruments, particularly when so many of them are in the same
grade and sold nearly at the same price.
MONG business men generally in all lines of industry, a
A
great fear prevails that following the present European
war, there will be a great industrial depression in the United
State. That this view is not shared in by Secretary of Commerce
Redfield was disclosed in a recent statement in which he pointed
out that the country's so-called war business did not exceed five
per cent, of its total industrial and commercial activity. Neces-
sary adjustments after the war will be important, and perhaps
serious, according to Mr. Redfield, but the relative importance of
war business done is over estimated.
i
Mr. Redfield further points out the important fact that this
much discussed war business does not exceed one-quarter of our
exports and possibly not quite that much even without them.
Our exports would be much larger than before the war, as our
shipments to South America, for example, have more than
doubled. Mr. Redfield expresses the opinion that many plants
now providing war material could be readily turned into the
industrial uses of peace.
While Mr. Redfield is notoriously an optimist in a great
many questions of national interest, yet we hope he is a true
prophet in this instance. All the same it will be necessary for
manufacturers to prepare for any emergency, and this can best
be done by working earnestly to hold the export trade they have
gained during the present European catastrophe.
GETTING DOWN TO PLAIN PLAYER FACTS
The education of the public along player lines is a necessity for the expansion of the player business.
There is no doubt of that; and education of the piano merchants and salesmen is also a vital necessity,
because through them will come a powerful force in the education of the public; and right here we wish to
remark that we have produced a line of books upon the player-piano which comprehensively covers the
entire player situation.
In this respect this trade newspaper stands alone, for it has been the principal source from which player
information has been available for piano merchants and salesmen for a period of years. Our latest book,
"The Player-Piano Up to Date"
is the best of the series. It contains upwards of 220 pages of matter bearing directly upon the player.
Every piano merchant and piano salesman should have a copy of this book within easy reach. It
gives to readers a fund of information not obtainable elsewhere.
It contains a series of original drawings and a vast amount of instructive and educational matter, as
well as a detailed description of some of the principal player mechanisms.
It costs $1.50 to have this book delivered to any address in the United States, and your money will be
refunded if you are not satisfied with the book after examination. No one yet has availed himself of this
opportunity. Foreign countries, 15c. to cover extra postage, should be added.
Estate of EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Publisher
373 Fourth Ave., New York
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).