TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 30 May 1914, Page 5

TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

IN THE PIANO BUSINESS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, May 29. Before the Tariff Commission a witness stated that he made pianos in Sydney, but had to sell them as German instruments. He did so at the request of customers. In order to meet competition he used the name plates of German firms who had no local agents. Sometimes the name or address was fictitious or a manufacturer's name was spelt slightly incorrectly. If a buyer wanted an Australian-made piano it was sold as such; if ho wanted a German one he called it German. He added that one or two other retailers did I similarly; even English pianos were imported bearing the name plates of German firms. The representative of a leading house said that if the practice existed it was I to an infinitesimal extent, because a maker's agent would take immediate legal action to prevent, it. Another witness quoted a case where the name plate of a well-known Australian maker had been replaced by that of another instrum nt and sold at a bigger price.