WHAT'S IN A NAME?
TRICKS OF PIANO TRADE
AUSTRALIAN REVELATIONS
(By Cable.—Press Zisociation.—Coprrigii.) SYDNEY, May 29.
Before the Tariff Commission, a witness stated that ho made pianos in Sydney, but had to sell them as German instruments. He did so at tho request of customers, and in order to meet competition. Ho used*the name-plates of German firms, who had no local agents. Sometimes the name or tho address was fictitious, or the manufacturer's name was spelt slightly incorrectly. If a buyer wanted an Australinn-mado piano it was sold as such, but if ho wanted a German piano, tho manufacturer called it German.
Witness added that one or two other retailers acted similarly. Even English pianos wero imported bearing German firms' name plates.
Tho representative of a leading music house said that if tho practice existed, it was only to an infiuitcsimal extent, becauso the German makers' agents would take immediate legal action to prevent it.
Another witness quoted a caso whero the namo plate of a well-known Australian maker was replaced by that of another, and tho instrument sold at a bigger price.
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Press, Volume L, Issue 149814, 30 May 1914, Page 11
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183WHAT'S IN A NAME? Press, Volume L, Issue 149814, 30 May 1914, Page 11
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