New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-22

business acumen were each called actively into
play To make market meant to create an
interest to bring together those who were In
terested, to teach the art Of riding, to gain the
right Of way and finally turn the goods into
cash. AS in every innovation. the public had TO
be urged and educated. and in this period which
lasted many years. disbursement and failure
claimed the majority Of agents and DEALERS
Not until within the last nine years has the
manufacture and trade amounted to enough 10
class il with other large mercantile ventures.
With the increasing popularity Of the wheel
came the refining of the manufactured product,
until now We have in the modern safety bicycle
the most beautiful lines, the accurate adjust
nents and the minimum weights with the
strongest and most perfect mechanical devices
Of all vehicles to which man trusts his safety.
The od-time dealer deserves large share Of
credit for bringing about the present good con-
dition Of trade. BY his persistence and energy
first the individual and then the club grad
ually worked up, until the public could no
longer refuse the cycle. When this had been
accomplished capital and brains rushed in. and
to-day one Of the standard Industries Of our
country is the bicycle business.
In the space allotted TO this subject but few
points can be touched upon, but the retail end is
that upon which we lay stress.
In meeting the publics demand the retailer
must satisfy the buyer. To this end Kinks and
schools have been established where the dealer
teaches beginners usually sharing this expense
with them. and applying the price Of lessons TO
The purchase Of the cycle.
The writer. in looking over some returns from
the riding school in 1S19-'SO and comparing
them with those of the last two years wonders
that even the small figures then shown should
have had enthusiasts enough to make them!
The dealer with the best location and equip
nent is usually the representative Of the best
makes ~ wheels and goods
Conducting a retail bicycle business without
the adjuucts of rink, school, storage or rent
Ig seemed barely feasible, yet in the early
eighties the attempt was made. Leaving the up
town district where the roads and parks were
attractions. Warren-st. was selected as base
o. operations and a retail establishment for the
Gale Of wheels only was established right in the
wholesale district. .
50 successful was the venture that within a
few years that street became Bicycle Row.
end the most famous OF wheels were 10 be found
there. The dealer who caters to SUCH a clientele
a. the wheel he represents warrants may be
assured Of success, if he will conduct his place
upon business principles and deal fairly with all
alike. In carrying on his business only the same
methods need be adopted as are used In any
hrst-ciass retail business.
TO emphasize this you will find in nearly
every city some one dealer who has succeeded,
and in looking over his record Invariably you
VIII find that strict attention to business and
ne above outlined methods are accountable Tor
dis success
In closing this hasty sketch the fact that the
public have become such keen buyers cannot be
overlooked. The average Wheelman or wheel
woman has been educated TO such an extent
mat often he she is as well posted on all that
goes 10 make up q fine wheel as Is the man VINO
sels the cycle. To this class Of buyers we are
Indebted for many Of the good and useful ideas
embodied IN the modern wheel. and in selling TO
Wein is experienced the greatest pleasure.
Z<<