Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
SEPTEMBER 18, 1920
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
13
BUFFALO DEALERS PLACING ORDERS FOR FALL TRADE
Traveling Representatives From Piano Factories in Evidence in Buffalo During the Past Week
and Secure Excellent Orders—Loud Co. Featuring the Brambach—Other News
BUFFALO, N. Y., September 12.—Buffalo piano
dealers were visited this week by a number of
factory representatives seeking orders for Fall
and holiday shipments. As competition is the
life of trade, the presence of these salesmen
helped to enliven business and brought back
memories of the old days when their visits were
frequent and their customers didn't beg for
goods. While there is a tendency on the part
of some of the merchants to hold back on or-
ders, few of the drummers went away empty-
handed. The Summer rule of closing piano
stores Saturday afternoons and evenings has
been thrown into the discard. With vacations
over the trade is going after business in a big
way and success is assured. They are increas-
ing their advertising.
"Give the traveling man a square deal." This
is the motto that will probably be followed to
the letter by most of the piano dealers this Fall
and Winter. The storekeepers realize that the
ambassador of the road, whether he represents
a factory, a jobbing house or himself, is up
against some stiff handicaps this season. The
skyward trend of hotel and railroad rates, Pull-
man fares, etc., is putting a terrible crimp in the
drummer's pocketbook. If the piano men don't
loosen up a bit, it will be the lot of the travel-
ing man to have all going out and nothing com-
ing in. There is more than one piano store
right in Buffalo that received its early touches
of prosperity from the suggestions and friendly
co-operation of the traveling salesman.
This Fall, especially, the salesman has to be
a diplomat and a mathematician in explaining
the subject of new prices, deliveries and general
economic conditions. While some of Buffalo's
"cold, calculating piano dealers," unused to
amorous methods, may not receive the salesman
with open arms, they at least will treat him
fairly, listen attentively to his best brand of
salesmanship, and—what is still better—give
him some substantial orders.
W. H. Bowles, representing the Autopiano Co.
of New York, was a caller. He was on his way
to attend the Ohio dealers' meeting in Youngs-
town, O. Other visitors included R. C. Morenus,
of the Hobart M. Cable Co.; Harry Snyder,
of the Steger & Sons Co., and Stuart Perry,
of the A. B. Chase Co.
J. N? Adam & Co. are conducting a half-
yearly opportunity sale of player-pianos. S. J.
Butler, manager of the piano department, em-
phasized to his customers the fact that the A. B.
Chase piano was used extensively at the Music
Festival at Lockport, N. Y., last week.
Some live advance publicity is being used by
the Kurtzmann Piano Co. in connection with a
sale to be held by that firm. Readers of the
advertising are reminded that the Kurtzmann
factory was visited by fire on August 26 and
that 200 instruments were damaged. The com-
pany then pays a fine tribute to local firemen
and brings out other effective selling arguments
as follows:
"The prompt work of Buffalo's ever-efficient
fire department fortunately saved these pianos
from being a total loss. • All the factory men
are back to work putting them in finest condi-
tion—some were merely scratched and marred
—others were slightly damaged by smoke—
however, every one will be rebuilt same as new
before being placed on sale. Entire new parts
will be installed in every instance where there
is any question of any defect. Every instru-
ment will be absolutely guaranteed by the old
DECKER
U
EST. 1856 & SON
PIANOS and PLAYER-PIANOS
697-701 East 135th Street. New York
reliable Kurtzmann Co., whose factories have
stood in Buffalo since 1848.
"The insurance companies made us a liberal
adjustment and this saving will be passed on to
the people of Buffalo where it rightfully belongs.
For seventy-two years Buffalonians have been
buying Kurtzmann pianos direct from the
Kurtzmann Co. on a definite factory guarantee
and this sale is not going to be an exception—
this same protection will go with every one of
these pianos and players."
The Robert L. Loud Music Co. is conducting
a window demonstration of a Brambach player
grand selling at $1,950, apartment size. Satur-
day evening there was an extra large crowd
listening to the playing of this fine instrument.
E. W. Heintz, salesman at this store, has re-
turned from his vacation at Alexandria Bay.
The outside salesmen employed in J. N.
Adam & Co.'s Victrola department are all pro-
vided with automobiles, which they use to good
advantage in bringing customers to the store.
This is one of the methods they use in speed-
ing up sales. M. Lipchick, a musician, has
joined the sales force of this department.
The funeral of William Harrison Purdy was
held recently at Bath, N. Y. He was seventy-
seven years old. For many years he was suc-
cessfully engaged in the music business. He
was also a cornetist in bands and orchestras.
NEW SHONINGER CATALOG
Admirably Prepared Volume Just Issued Which
Shows Recent Piano and Player Styles
A catalog of more than usual interest has just
reached us from the B. Shoninger Co., of New
Haven, Conn. It illustrates four of the various
styles of pianos and player-pianos put out by
this house—two very attractive uprights, a
Sheraton and Puritan model, a player and a
reproducing piano. The introductory to the
volume bears upon the progress of this house
founded by Bernard Shoninger seventy years
ago, and which has been developed by the de-
scendants so successfully. In fact, three gen-
erations of the same family have been identified
with the creation and development of the in-
struments of this house, and there is a personal
pride in every instrument leaving the plant.
This undoubtedly has been a factor in the suc-
cess of the business.
The closing pages of the catalog are devoted
to a partial list of some of the schools, acad-
emies and institutions which are using the
Shoninger pianos, and it is indeed a very for-
midable and impressive roster—one that can be
used by dealers very successfully in convincing
purchasers of the high standing of the Shon-
inger instruments in the esteem of noted au-
thorities. This latest addition to Shoninger
publicity is very effectively printed in blue and
sepia, with an attractive title cover.
R. S. HOWARD ON TRIP
Visiting Dealers in Western Territory—Factory
Addition Now in Operation
R. S. Howard, president of the R. S. Howard
Co., is en route through the West and Middle
West in the interest of the Howard line of up-
rights, grands and players. He expects to re-
turn about the end of the month. The stand-
ardization of all parts used in the Howard piano
is reported to be earning much popularity
throughout the trade. The new large addition
to the Howard factory at 133d street. New York,
is already in operation and contributing in a
large measure towards increased production.
John B. Rig-gins has sold his interest in the
Riggins Piano Co.. Camden, N. J., and has re-
tired from active business.
Expand
With an Expanding
Busin ess
Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllf
Let Us Outline
for You AN
Extensive
Selling
Campaign
in
Automatic
Instruments
whereby you can
open up a fertile and
entirely new field'
of profits. We have
a convincing series
of selling helps that
have " b r o u g h t
home the bacon"
time after time.
Sold to
Restaurants
Candy Parlors
Theatres
Cabarets
Dance Halls
Lodge Halls
J. P. SEEBURG
Piano Company
Leaders in the Automatic Field
Factories, Seebarg Building, 4 1 9 West Erie Street
CHICAGO