The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-18


not giving trading stamps or Offering |
similar inducements to prospective pur-
chasers Cash sales with deposits in
advance Of delivery are the rule at all
the agencies and there Is no falling
off in patronage on this account. From
/ present indications the dealers will
have more trouble in filing orders
than in securing them.
This years. trade Is fully three
months ahead Of last years with the
most active buying season still to
! come. One firm which ordered a line of
cars valued at 100000 already has
concluded sales to the amount Of
$4,000, one-third Of its entire stock,
and this record is by no means an ex-
ception.
Earlier in the season the total
amount which would be expended upon
automobiles in Minneapolis was esti-
mated at 100000, but in view Of the
experience Of the dealer mentioned this
figure would seem to be somewhat con-
servative. The cars which have been
sold so far are Of the higher priced
class, but if the demand for runabouts
and hight touring cars shows q proper
difficulty in making up the balance.
Cheaper Cars Gain Footho1d.
The lower priced cars will have their
day shortly. Already many dealers
have demonstration cars and several
expect to have in their complete stock
before the end Of the week. This will
mean a. grand scramble on the part Of
prospective purchasers and hard work
for statesmen, and demonstrators for
the purchasers Of low priced cars pre-
fer to make their selection from stock
instead Of ordering from the factory,
as is the practice with those whose
purses are long enough to stand the
strain of buying the big machines.
Another branch of the business which
will occupy much Of the time and add
greatly to the profits of the dealers is
the trade in secondhand machines.
Last fall there was great demand for
light secondhand cars among the
country towns. The farmers are wax
ing up to the value of the Hbenzine
buggy as means of quick travel be-
tween the farm and the town. Second
hand machines go better with this
class of trade as the purchasers do not
care for outside finish so long as the
running gear and motor are sound.
Care Naught for Glitter. ~
Country roads are hard on enamel
and polish and repair and cleaning
facilities are not at hand, so they pre-
fer to put their money into the essen
tials Of the machine rather than in
vest in paint and varnish, which will
soon vanish. ,.+
So many new patrons are now enter
ing into the delights of automobiling
that many old explanations are discov'
cred ofttimes to be new. It was heard
at the shows that this and the other
manufacturing concerns Eseld out
New buyers took it for granted that
It was of no use to try and buy cars
of such firms. 1t is puzzling to those
who understand how anyone can have
such notions. The factories sell to the
agents, or retail dealers. When the or
ders from such retailers amount to az
many cars as the factory can produce
during the season, the manufacturing
concern is "sold out.'' It does no
mean that all the cars are already made
or sold. 49,. -
The factory cannot accept any NOR,
contracts from retailers, that is all
The retailers will have plenty Of car
to sell all summer. The fact Of a fac
tory being "sold out'' is simply al
expression Of the retailers confdenc,
in the high merit of the brand and it
selling qualities. No buyer who want
one Of the best makes Of cars SHOULD
be deferred from placing his orde
because he has heard that the factor,
was ''sold out" Buyers who want tn
best should, however, make it a poin
to order early, It is, getting SO nov
that with regard to few Of the hes
makes, it is as safe to buy on reputa
tion as it is to order jewelry from TIT
fanny. ..@X