Sep12

if a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade. – tom peters

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benderconstructioncompany.com

called a guy

to get a quote

to replace

two tiny windows

in my cottage

 dripbook.comhe came from

a national chain

friendly

salesy

schmoozy

trying hard

but

too

too

too

much

song and dance

and

it went on

and on

and on

bilingualmonkeys.com

he made me take a quiz

i just wanted

something

a

step

up

from

saran wrap

and

it didn’t

have to

be

able

to withstand

armageddon

nasa.gov

he used

his special

infrared light

to demonstrate

the heat factor

all i wanted

was a clear piece

of glass

to keep out

snow

bugs

 flying squirrels

and

large enough

to allow

a

friendly fireman

to

fit through

he had

no

sense of humor

and

was

nervous

Jumping Lemurs In Madagascar

and so

next

we

began

the

jumping

on the glass

test

the whole thing

took two hours

he made a series

of  fake phone calls

to his office

to get me a

very special deal

and i waited

for his phone

to ring

while he was ‘calling’

then

 i thanked him for his time

he packed up his things

headed out

with all

of his equipment

and i kind of

felt for him

mybaycity.com

called another guy

and

this guy

was

standing

at my door

when i opened it

a couple of days later

a gentle giant

with a smile

and

a handshake

my hand

disappeared

into

his bear claw

of a hand

he came in

sat down

asked me

what i wanted

measured my

two tiny windows

he was calm

told me about his daughter

how proud he was of her

almost a doctor

asked me

about

my own children

we laughed together

 he used to build houses

now a window guy

 guessed the age of my cottage

more than 100

he was right

gave me the price

a very good price

no frills

no quiz

no jumping

no lights

no calls

he was here for

a half hour

he will be back

to put

my

windows in

very soon

–

it’s about listening first, then selling.
– erik qualman

—

image credits: benderconstruction.com, drip book.com, bilingual monkey.com, izismile.com,mybaycity.com

47 responses »

  4. Wow! This is fabulous. We have all had that experience for sure. Back in Ferndale, some man came to our house about our roof and sat there for three hours pontificating. I wanted to gouge my own eyes out. I love that “one step above saran wrap” comment. I also love your quote at the end

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • i could not agree more. i am direct and prefer people to be direct with me. in this case, i really just want to know a few things: can you do the job? what will the real cost be? when can you have it complete if i hire you? –

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

  8. Great ending coming to this transparent tale, I suspect, when the big man installs your tiny windows, Beth. Here’s a sad component to the story, too. Some corporate schmoo somewhere taught the nervous guy all of his moves and likely installed his anxiety in the process, too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • thanks, mark. it sure seems like it. and yes, you hit on why i felt for him. he was doing what he’d been taught somewhere and wasn’t able to put his own spin on things yet, or to read the customer.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  12. Yes! The energy you bring to the table matters. I tell my kids that all the time. Recently let go of a very competent cleaning service b/c the owner was so negative. Energy matters. Glad you went with the gentle giant:).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  16. this is good … I was on the phone just now with a buddy, who was talking about communication, and how frustrating it can be to be misunderstood. My point is that I really enjoyed the way you expressed this whole scenario. You bring a good measure of humor and peace to a situation that stirs up frustration in me … a salesman who is not connecting with who I am / what I need. I smiled when I read about the second gentleman who came and connected with you well, in a shorter amount of time, ready to provide what you wanted. Good job, Beth.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  20. You’re right about the listening skills, Beth. We selected a gardener up north on the same criteria. Grounded. Friendly. Listening. Straight forward. Much better than the tap dancing guy who wanted to create what he wanted – not what I was asking for.

    Sounds like you got a true professional. 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  21. Your Gentle Giant needs to be on ‘speed dial’ from now on, Beth! He sounds like someone who is a jack of all trades, so immediately kind and handy! I think this was the best post, showing the different tactics that one business man takes, versus a true, helping honest worker!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

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