The Washington times., 1913-03-22
CAR DEALERS ARE
HARD TO SATISFY
Reasonably Good Motor Will
Do for Public, But Agents
Are Very Particular.

ANY reasonably good car will please
| the public, but the automobile hasn't
yet been built that thoroughly satisfies
! the dealers who retail it,
! So runs an axiom as old as the indus
try which coined it-an axiom often
proven, too, despite the fact that it con-
| ficts sharply with the idea OF the gen.
| eral public which, in its relations with
| the automobile dealer. has never found
| him otherwise than bubblingly enthusi-
astic and losing no chance to sing the
| praises of the car he is selling.
The automobile dealer is an opti-
| mist" declares Sales Manager Benson,
| of the Studebaker Corporation. He
| all day. But, when his routine is over,
! he shuts himself into his office and be-
| comes NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. brutally-
frank, as he writes the sales manager
| of the factory he represents.
The line of cars he has been praising
all day may come in then for scathing
criticism. They may be really giving
excellent service to their owners, but the
dealer insists that a number Of improve
ments are needed badly.
Once in long while the dealer may
! compliment the factory on some new
development, but that is unusual: he
| takes it for granted that affairs should
be satisfactory. as rule.
We believed We had Studebaker deal
ers in quandary, when We began deliv-
cries on the new Studebaker '25' .35,
and Six, several months ago. con-
| been designed to suit our dealers idea
of an article that would sell. stay sold
| and repeat. Many of the dealers ha..
been consulted regarding the details.
| The cars had been thoroughly tested.
and had shown themselves wonders of
power and value.
But we were magnificently mistaken.
Dealers everywhere admitted them
selves pleased with the cars. They even
dilated on certain features that appealed
to each individually. But they began
Immediately to criticise us for not doub-
ling our factory and our output. in or
der to take care Of the tremendous de-
mand.
! Dealers told us how their allotments
were all too small and demanded more.
Others said their friends were making
trouble over discrimination in the dis
tribution of cars One or two frankly
admitted we had no business to give
| them cars that were too good. Right
| now with our factories working at full
speed, We expect to face a steady battle
! with our dealers. until snow flies.
''rhe automobile business is another
great place for the study of human ma
, ture."
The tire count on show cars was a
Goodyear victory at Boston, thus aiding
that show to long list Of decisive VIC
tories, according TO information received
by George Howard, manager OF the
Goodyear branch here. After the Of
ficialS in charge of the count made a
careful examination of tho cars display
ed in the Mechanics building, it was
found that 120 of the 80 cars exhibit
ed were equipped with Goodyear tires.
The tire contest has become one of the
most interesting things staged during an
automobile show. The interest held in
the tire equipment is largely due to the
fact that automobile shows indicate to
large extent the sentiment of the in
dustry, consequently keen rivalry exists
among the tire makers to make as con-
spicuous showing as possible.
Ford cars nave been sold this month
to the following: J. n Pitcher. George
A. Emmons, S. G. +. Townshend. II. W.
! Offutt. Edwin Shuttle. DR.. Robert Ma
son. w. NJ. Reed, w. S. Hoge. Yung
Kwai, Sanitary Grocery Company,
Holmes g. Sons, DIR. J. b. Began w. A.
Murphy. DR.. f. Bake Evans, DR.. Thomas
J. Rossiter, DR.. w. p. Collins, DIR. d. h.
Shute and Edgar Snowden