Sale Of Television Sets In City "Generally Good”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 14

Sale Of Television Sets In City "Generally Good”

Sales of television sets in Christchurch are generally good, and are gradually becoming better, according to some radio retailers. Most were enthusiastic yesterday about the number of sales, although a few found sales were slow. Most of the sets have been sold for cash. Several dealers had made no sales under hire-purchase agreements, and most found that mainly older persons, and in some cases invalids, were buying most of the sets. One retailer said that although sales had been brisk, most persons seemed to be waiting to see exactly what television was going to

be like before they made the considerable outlay necessary to buy a set. Sales had increased considerably after the first transmissions of other than test patterns, and they were expected to increase even more sharply after regular transmissions began on June 1. Some dealers said that most buyers had 'aken servicing contracts These cost from £l] to £l3 a year, and cover any necessary maintenance All retailers reported large numbers of inquiries. One firm reported numbers of inquiries from and some sales in country areas. Most dealers predicted that in about eight years nearly I

everyone would have television sets, and one retailer expressed the opinion that in 10 years many households would have two sets It was unlikelv that the prices of television sets would drop appreciably in the years to come, retailers said. They also said that the equipment at present on sale was the latest, and would not soon become outdated.