Order Early.
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Motor manufacturers not infrequently complain of the short-date deliveries for which new buyers seek to stipulate: this source of difficulty, too, is one which may have far-reaching consequences for both sides. We have come across very many instances of the kind, and a few words of warning will not be out of place just now. These lines are primarily addressed to the man who, after his haying pondered the matter of a purchase for several years, suddenly makes up his mind to buy a van, a lorry, or a tractor. His custom, over a long term of indecision, has probably been sought by at least three makers of repute, and one or other of these has probably been in a position —at some one stage of a lingering inquiry—to promise " immediate delivery " in the event of the placing of the long-contemplated order. Such cajolery and following-up of the old days, for which there is no occasion at present, has in many quarters created the entirely-false impression that motorvans are ready and stocked like, let us say, pianos or typewriters. A rude awakening now awaits • all those dilatory and tantalising people—the "intending" purchasers, who have for so long allowed I dare not to wait upon I would. The best makers have full order' books ; it is almost impossible to secure even a promise of delivery for a date less than 10 weeks ahead. whilst a few constructors want 20 weeks.
How unfortunate the lot of the " intending user," in the foregoing circumstances. Take, first, the case of the johmaster, hotelkeeper, or other small capitalist who thinks he will " eoin " money next summer by running a motor char-ii-banes. Be has learnt of the paying results that can be obtained—of the big profits that can he made during the months of June to September. He. trustful but ill-informed man. means to buy" one of these motors " early in May. so as to be quite ready to start in June. It will be a nasty shock for him when he tries, and when it comes to his endeavouring to tie the maker down to a fixed date. To-day, with March less than half gone, it is not every builder of three-ton chassis that would be preaired to to guarantee a single machine for May delivery. Take, second, the case of the shopkeeper whose trade is being taken from hi in hy the extending range of motor delivery from competing stores niel like houses. Does he appreciate the fact that every added week of hesitancy may—pending the recovery of supply in relation to demand—mean at least four weeks of extra waiting for the arrival of his essential motorvan ? We think not, and instances might be multiplied.
The situation of the heavy side of the industry should he realized. Increase of export demands has accounted for part of the absorption of output; a real shortage has forced the establishment of night shifts, and has prompted ninny rapid extensions to factories. People who desire immediately to share in the undoubted benefits which are conferred by the employment of modern road-transport methods, whether for the conveyance of goods or passengers, have no time to lose in respect of 1910. Their orders must be given without further delay, and they must not be allured by those salesmen who have unapproved or discredited types on their hands for unconditional disposal. Manufacturers of approved types, whose business announcements regularly appear in the advertisement pages of this journal, are not able to give this ominous early delivery : their sales, as they deserve to be, are too brisk for that.