New Britain herald., 1927-05-07
DEALER IS GOAT
 FOR RADIO FANS
Enthusiasts "White Lies" Get
 Him Into Peck of Trouble

NltQ rdulo III some 10TH or OIneE in about 50 per cent of the homes in New Britain. there Is small won- der that friendships are being brok- en and families almost becoming separated because of the firm be- lief of every owner that his set is the best put out, whether it be homemade or factory made, whether 1t be a crystal set, one tube re- generative receiver or an eight or nine tube de luxe affair.
 The fish story" so long associ- ated with hooks lines and sinkers, is again coming into its own. but this time with radio, and the deal- CT Is rapidly finding out that he is the goat" in the entire matter. Ac- cording to the dealer he receives more knocks and kicks than any person in existence, except another radio dealer.
 For instance. matter came to the attention of a dealer not long ago. Two men. shopmates. had a habit of talking radio, popular pastine. Each was accustomed to crack his set to the skies. One of them would say that he brought in such-and-such station and the other would say that he didn't bring in that particular station. but he heard several others. For every remark regarding the good qualities of Ghe Set owned by one of them. the' other had qualities just a bit better to put forward.
 Between themselves they contin- ued with their boasts, but each re- membered what the other had said and each stored back in his mind the qualities In which the other mans set excelled his own. Both men bought their sets from the same dealer although they were of two different makes. The dealer stated that both men went to his store and complained that his friend his set and each asked why. giving the dealer a solid "bawling out"
 Just little white lies, but the deal CT suffers. One man tells another he brings in WEAF any time at all with no interference whatever. The other man immediately rushes to the dealers and wants to know why he can't do that with his set. One man can bring in Chicago with as much volume as Hartford. Anoth. CT fellow has no trouble hearing tho Pacific coast on his set. even when one of his friends complains of poor conditions. And 50 it goes. Each radio set owner Is keenly jealous of his own set and each tries to outdo the other in yarns, with the result that each man be- lieves the others story and the deal CT takes the kicks.
 Many people believe that if they pay a large price for a set. they should be able 10 hear any sta- ton at any time. regardless Of at- mospheric conditions. They can't seem to understand why there should be static, or fading or lack of volume when they paid 50 much for the instrument.
 The six-tube set appears to be the most popular at present, al- though last season the five tube outfit was at the height of it's popu- larity and is still we'll thought of.
 The average fan, unless he is newly acquainted with radio. is not the distance hound that he used to be. He is content to listen to nearby stations if reception is fair and the program is good.
 One dealer told of family feud that has been started because of radio. A woman owned a radio set and the husband of a married daughter was also the possessor Of set. The mothers set was just a bit better than the daughters. so the latter prevailed upon her hus- band to purchase a more elaborate model, which was done. The mother didn't like that at all and, from reports. she isn't pleased.
 Heated arguments are in order whenever radio Is brought up. Une claims her set Is much the better of the two, while the other comes back with snappy remarks to the effect that her set is so far su- perior to the other woman's. that there is no comparison. Where the husband rates i'll the argument was not mentioned.
 Fans cannot expect to have good nights all the time and the dealers beg them to have pity. Don't blame the set all the time." they say. Don't bawl us out all the time" The dealers apparently have q hard TOW to hoe since receiving conditions haven't been as good as might be.
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