Music Trade Review
Issue: 1918 Vol. 67 N. 23 - Page 9
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
9
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
DECEMBER 7, 1918
NOVEMBER BUSINESS IN DETROIT^EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS
Music Dealers More Than Satisfied With Sales Totals for the Month—Local Piano Men Well Sup-
plied With Stock—Wurlitzer Co. May Secure New Building—Other News of Interest
DETROIT, M K H . , December 2.—To-day starts
the best-month of the year for the piano dealer
and those selling musical instruments. The
month has a flying start so far as publicity is
concerned as Sunday newspapers, issue of De-
cember 1, were "chuck full" of advertisements
by piano dealers. Grinnell Bros, used a whole
page, well diversified with cuts of special holi-
day offerings in the various departments; the
Kdison Shop ran nearly a full page on the Edi-
son phonograph; Wallace Brown used a whole
page for the Brunswick phonograph; the J. L.
Hudson music store ran two-thirds of a page
emphasizing the importance of musical instru-
ments as holiday gifts, and mentioning all the
lines handled. In addition there were numerous
advertisements of smaller dealers all focusing
their attention on Christmas and specializing
on some one particular thing in their stores.
The month of November proved a very brisk
month for business, despite the fact that retail
stores were practically closed for three days,
two days being given over Ap peace celebrations.
However, the number of days of actual business
are not important to the piano dealer; the per-
son who plans to buy does not do it on the spur
of the moment, hence the purchase can be made
just as well on Tuesday as on Monday. An-
other thing dealers are finding out is that
weather conditions make little difference, except
possibly in the record and player roll depart-
ments. Few prospects are "landed" the first
time. It is a case of following them up and
usually it turns out that the man or woman who
comes in at first wants to discuss the matter
with his or her family.
A shortage of pianos and players is out of
the question for the holidays, every dealer ap-
parently being well stocked up. However, there
will be a shortage in the talking machine de-
partments, especially on some makes of ma-
chines, principally Victrolas. Not only are Grin-
nell Bros, short of stock as wholesalers and
jobbers, but their own stores, of which there
are twenty-four, are badly in need of machines,
and so is every Victor dealer with whom we
have discussed conditions.
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. with a Detroit
branch at 75-77 State street, is conducting an
active campaign for business. It is reported
that the Wurlitzer Co. is negotiating or has
closed for a new building on John R street, near
Woodward avenue, which will be ten. stories
high and be exclusively for musical instruments.
For. a number of years it has been known that
this Cincinnati concern has had its eye on De-
troit and Avas looking for the opportunity to
enter the field. Originally when the store at
75-77 State street was leased, the company con-
fined itself exclusively to organs for churches
and theatres, and was very successful in selling
to motion picture houses. About a year ago it
started on a small scale to sell all kinds of in-
struments at retail. Gradually this retail end
of the business has developed until to-day the
Wurlitzer Co. is a real factor in competition. It
would not be at all surprising if the .company
did move to a ten or twelve-story building in
the heart of the retail center before another
year is past.
Isaac W. Moe, former music dealer at Dans-
ville, Mich., died recently as a result of several
months' illness.
Frank Bayley, of Bayley's Music House, on
Broadway, says he is doing the best business
in his history, and he expects that with the holi-
day trade he will close his biggest year.
People who rent pianos these days are finding
that the cost is soaring as compared to the
olden days. Few instruments are rented now
at less than $5 and $6 per month, and dealers
report they have no trouble to get these prices.
"At the new rental prices the dealer can make
a good profit on this class of business," said one
dealer, "We compel the customer to pay the
cartage both ways in addition to the increased
rental. Formerly we used to pay all t"he cartage
and our rental.was just about one-half of what
we charge now."
Several members of the Detroit Music Trades
Association have asked why no business ses-
sions have been held since last si. ring. The
organization is still intact and there ought to be
many important matters to take up. The ban
on meetings during the influenza epidemic killed
the October meeting, and now that it is getting
close to holiday time it is unlikely that any meet-
ing will take place until after the first of the
year.
CHARACTER
CONGRATULATIONS FOR KNABE & CO.
"Admirable Quality; Acknowledged Reputation"
On the Announcement That Knabe Pianos Will
Be Used in the New Hotel Commodore
—(Standard Dictionary)
PIANOS
Manufactured by
Smith, Barnes
and
Strohber Co.
have for 33 years
justified their right
to be called
Pianos of Character
FACTORIES
North Milwaukee, Wis.
Chicago, HI.
OFFICE
1872 Clyboorn Avenue
Chicago, III.
Wm. Knabe & Co., New York, have received
several letters from their dealers congratulating
the company upon the fact that Knabe pianos
will be used exclusively in the new Hotel Com-
modore, on Pershing Square, which will be
opened about the first of the year.
The dealers are especially interested in the
beautiful art grand Knabe piano, which will
match the. handsome decorations of the ball-
room in this new hotel, and it is quite likely that
a photograph of this art grand Knabe piano in
the ballroom of the Commodore will be used to
excellent advantage by Knabe dealers in their
local publicity.
C. W. RUBY IN NEW POST
Appointed Manager of Haddorff Piano Co.'s
Retail Store in Rockford, 111.
ROCKFORD, I I I . , December 2.—C. W. Ruby, for-
merly connected with the Werner Industries Co.
in Cincinnati, has been appointed manager of
the Rockford retail division of the Haddorff
Piano Co., of this city, which is known as the
Haddorff Music Co. Mr. Ruby has had exten-
sive experience in the piano field, and is well
qualified to-'develop Haddorfif retail business in
this territory.
THIS
TRADE-MARK
ON THIS
MUSIC ROLL
CABINET
No. 634—"Adam"
One of our latest cabinet designs with
just a touch of rich carving to relieve its
severity. Has a capacity of 208 music
rolls. Height 55 in., width 38 in., depth
inside 13 in. Mahogany top and front.
Average weight crated 155 lbs.
GUARANTEES
ITS QUALITY
The designs—backed by
Udell craftsmanship —
guarantee the sale.
Udell Cabinets
increase music roll sales
by making the roll library
attractive and convenient.
Catalog on Request
The UDELL WORKS
1205 W. 28th St., INDIANAPOLIS
9
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
DECEMBER 7, 1918
NOVEMBER BUSINESS IN DETROIT^EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS
Music Dealers More Than Satisfied With Sales Totals for the Month—Local Piano Men Well Sup-
plied With Stock—Wurlitzer Co. May Secure New Building—Other News of Interest
DETROIT, M K H . , December 2.—To-day starts
the best-month of the year for the piano dealer
and those selling musical instruments. The
month has a flying start so far as publicity is
concerned as Sunday newspapers, issue of De-
cember 1, were "chuck full" of advertisements
by piano dealers. Grinnell Bros, used a whole
page, well diversified with cuts of special holi-
day offerings in the various departments; the
Kdison Shop ran nearly a full page on the Edi-
son phonograph; Wallace Brown used a whole
page for the Brunswick phonograph; the J. L.
Hudson music store ran two-thirds of a page
emphasizing the importance of musical instru-
ments as holiday gifts, and mentioning all the
lines handled. In addition there were numerous
advertisements of smaller dealers all focusing
their attention on Christmas and specializing
on some one particular thing in their stores.
The month of November proved a very brisk
month for business, despite the fact that retail
stores were practically closed for three days,
two days being given over Ap peace celebrations.
However, the number of days of actual business
are not important to the piano dealer; the per-
son who plans to buy does not do it on the spur
of the moment, hence the purchase can be made
just as well on Tuesday as on Monday. An-
other thing dealers are finding out is that
weather conditions make little difference, except
possibly in the record and player roll depart-
ments. Few prospects are "landed" the first
time. It is a case of following them up and
usually it turns out that the man or woman who
comes in at first wants to discuss the matter
with his or her family.
A shortage of pianos and players is out of
the question for the holidays, every dealer ap-
parently being well stocked up. However, there
will be a shortage in the talking machine de-
partments, especially on some makes of ma-
chines, principally Victrolas. Not only are Grin-
nell Bros, short of stock as wholesalers and
jobbers, but their own stores, of which there
are twenty-four, are badly in need of machines,
and so is every Victor dealer with whom we
have discussed conditions.
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. with a Detroit
branch at 75-77 State street, is conducting an
active campaign for business. It is reported
that the Wurlitzer Co. is negotiating or has
closed for a new building on John R street, near
Woodward avenue, which will be ten. stories
high and be exclusively for musical instruments.
For. a number of years it has been known that
this Cincinnati concern has had its eye on De-
troit and Avas looking for the opportunity to
enter the field. Originally when the store at
75-77 State street was leased, the company con-
fined itself exclusively to organs for churches
and theatres, and was very successful in selling
to motion picture houses. About a year ago it
started on a small scale to sell all kinds of in-
struments at retail. Gradually this retail end
of the business has developed until to-day the
Wurlitzer Co. is a real factor in competition. It
would not be at all surprising if the .company
did move to a ten or twelve-story building in
the heart of the retail center before another
year is past.
Isaac W. Moe, former music dealer at Dans-
ville, Mich., died recently as a result of several
months' illness.
Frank Bayley, of Bayley's Music House, on
Broadway, says he is doing the best business
in his history, and he expects that with the holi-
day trade he will close his biggest year.
People who rent pianos these days are finding
that the cost is soaring as compared to the
olden days. Few instruments are rented now
at less than $5 and $6 per month, and dealers
report they have no trouble to get these prices.
"At the new rental prices the dealer can make
a good profit on this class of business," said one
dealer, "We compel the customer to pay the
cartage both ways in addition to the increased
rental. Formerly we used to pay all t"he cartage
and our rental.was just about one-half of what
we charge now."
Several members of the Detroit Music Trades
Association have asked why no business ses-
sions have been held since last si. ring. The
organization is still intact and there ought to be
many important matters to take up. The ban
on meetings during the influenza epidemic killed
the October meeting, and now that it is getting
close to holiday time it is unlikely that any meet-
ing will take place until after the first of the
year.
CHARACTER
CONGRATULATIONS FOR KNABE & CO.
"Admirable Quality; Acknowledged Reputation"
On the Announcement That Knabe Pianos Will
Be Used in the New Hotel Commodore
—(Standard Dictionary)
PIANOS
Manufactured by
Smith, Barnes
and
Strohber Co.
have for 33 years
justified their right
to be called
Pianos of Character
FACTORIES
North Milwaukee, Wis.
Chicago, HI.
OFFICE
1872 Clyboorn Avenue
Chicago, III.
Wm. Knabe & Co., New York, have received
several letters from their dealers congratulating
the company upon the fact that Knabe pianos
will be used exclusively in the new Hotel Com-
modore, on Pershing Square, which will be
opened about the first of the year.
The dealers are especially interested in the
beautiful art grand Knabe piano, which will
match the. handsome decorations of the ball-
room in this new hotel, and it is quite likely that
a photograph of this art grand Knabe piano in
the ballroom of the Commodore will be used to
excellent advantage by Knabe dealers in their
local publicity.
C. W. RUBY IN NEW POST
Appointed Manager of Haddorff Piano Co.'s
Retail Store in Rockford, 111.
ROCKFORD, I I I . , December 2.—C. W. Ruby, for-
merly connected with the Werner Industries Co.
in Cincinnati, has been appointed manager of
the Rockford retail division of the Haddorff
Piano Co., of this city, which is known as the
Haddorff Music Co. Mr. Ruby has had exten-
sive experience in the piano field, and is well
qualified to-'develop Haddorfif retail business in
this territory.
THIS
TRADE-MARK
ON THIS
MUSIC ROLL
CABINET
No. 634—"Adam"
One of our latest cabinet designs with
just a touch of rich carving to relieve its
severity. Has a capacity of 208 music
rolls. Height 55 in., width 38 in., depth
inside 13 in. Mahogany top and front.
Average weight crated 155 lbs.
GUARANTEES
ITS QUALITY
The designs—backed by
Udell craftsmanship —
guarantee the sale.
Udell Cabinets
increase music roll sales
by making the roll library
attractive and convenient.
Catalog on Request
The UDELL WORKS
1205 W. 28th St., INDIANAPOLIS
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