The Detroit times., 1910-06-22
WOULD GULLPUBL|C
WITH PIANO PRIZE
CONTESTS
Reputable Detroit Dealers Vigorously
Protest Against the Deceptive
Advertising Methods of
Some Companies.
Times Warmly Commended For Clos.
ing Columns Against Coupon
T. and Certificate Schemes.


lies attitude toward this dishonest
form OF advertising.
Many expressions have reached this
office commenting the decision OF Tno
Times TO close It's columns against
these misleading contests. Promin.
tnt piano dealers OF Detroit whose al.
vertising is apparently straightfcr.
ward and not given TO bombast aud
reinstatement. have expressed their
approval OF the Initiative taken by
The Times In this reform. while ex-
pressing the nope that the antire press
OF the city will I've aligned on the same
side ultimately.
Printers ink, tee foremost adveitis.
ing authority, which has been stirring
up the country with reference TO the
coupon and certificate deception, has
forwarded commentators greeting to
The Times.
A Detroit subscriber writes. After
reading your editorial on the 18th |
trust YOU will so farther and publish
the enclosed letter. including The head.
ing. We appreciate the fact tat there
Is one honest firm OF publishers In the
city where life seems to be worth liv-
ing"
The heading referred to is the fol.
lowing enticihg announcement OF a
concern which is just now making one
Of its prize puzzle offers through the
News, Free Press and Journal: "AD
EANCED PRIZE AWARDED YOU
$4,000 IN CASH VALUE PURCHAS
ING CREDITS TO CHOOSE FROM.
II YOU DO NOT WISH TO USE
THESE CREDITS, YOU MAY HAVE
\ USED INSTRUMENT FREE FOR
THE COST OF SHOP WORK AND
CARRIAGE"
Here's the Bait
The communication itself is no less
persuasive and plausible II explains
how the recipient happens to be the
lucky man when ne isn't. We present
II In full:
June 10. 1910.
We have been notified by the person
who was awarded the above largest
prize. that circumstances prevent him
from using IL. Your answer being the
next best on our lis. We are sending
you this notice that II has been award
ed TO you.
We have another answer that was
nearly as good as yours.s and N you
cannot use this order please notify is
az once and return this letter to our
attention. for the person next on the
list. wishes 20 use this prize IL you
SSnn0t vc You an ar n pSnd RsmiEMGBR e
you DO Not HAVE TO CHOOSE AN
EXPENSIVE PIANO
This is your order for $4,000 cash
value purchasing credit, good toward
the purchase of any piano OF our own
make. or II you prefer one OF The 20
will allow $4,000 of any the other new
pianos in our store Remember YOU
can choose either Of the credits and
one only will be applied on the piano
you want at the time selection liz made.
You are very fortunate TO receive
this large prize at the present TINE.
TORY CLEARANCE SALE and some OF
our pianos are marked down $1,000
and this would leave you put small
balance to pay on one OF our nnest
An IMPORTANT POINT INT ,S You IN need
not mention that Yea nave nv thi new vs'1 ri.
ano. No NATTER WHAT PRICE, and
after terms, price and quality are per-
letter and as stated above the credit
and receipt for the amount VIII pc
given you. The. balance can be paid IN
small monthly installments.
THIS OFFER EXPIRES June II.
1910. but we wasn't TO hear from you
before that date II you cannot Ola take ers na-
oCa1rnRsasgp 1G TACToRY CLEARANCE
SALE is NOW on AND THE RE-
DuCED PRICES QuoTEpc ars s,arn 40
call early lest the piano you want 70
gone. ,-
The hour has struck. The 18th has
come and gone. by sending the above
letter to us our subscriber has de
p-ived both himself and the next lucky
Inan Of this bonanza. But he appears
10 be resigned. and we trust the un'
known might-have-been beneficiary
will not grieve as one who Is without
hope; for right now there Is another
golden opportunity to find some faces
In the puzzle picture and get another
certificate at It's face" value.
Just how this system OF beguiins
the gentle reader Is regarded by the
piano trade generally appears from the
action taken at the recent convention
of the Nationa, Piano Dealers ascot
alton, which enacted resolutions dis
countenancing the use Of certificates
n conducting special sales and re
ouesting its members TO aid In the cru
SADIE against the use OF such certifl
Gates.
Printers Ink Polls Dealers.
Here is what Printers Ink has tC
say OIL the subject:
Printers Ink has had prior informa-
ton regarding the opinions OF plano
dealers throughout the country
Through it's postcard canvass In which
the question was . ectly asked wheth-
er or no the dealer favored the coupon
and certificate guessing contest plan.
The result of this canvass was most
Significant and conclusive;
Opposed TO Guessing Contests. .....3Is
In favor OF them -; '''''''''' i,
ro,s, resnonses ............39I
Nost ,nteresting OF all were the EN-.
phatic objections to the fraudulent
contest plan OF selling pianos as writ
ten In the small space allowed TOT re-
marks on the postal Few 1t 'hes'
knight Locke Piano Co. Denver
Colo.--"we cannot appreciate now any
reputabIe houses can favor them
J. II. Ellis a Co. Washington, Pa
1T Is insincere and misleading.
\. O. X. Houck, Memphis, Tenn -
think the present contest sv ,arn ha ~ 1L'
Geo. J. Blrkel Los Angeles. I'll
Never used contest or coupon scnemei
in the history of our business. WOui.
welcome a national law prohibltins al
such schemes and misrepreseh'a'lohs u
Advertising" 49,,
These contests destroy pubic conn
dence In piano business IN genera an. ,
necessitate talking and selhns piano'
out OF their proper class -
Ben &. Peck, Strich n Ieiuler' NeN
York-"1s an insult to American inter
ligence and exposes the weakness q
those who employ II. Lowers the s.anu
IN ~ The h,,sfnaao and Kills COnndenC,