Have you ever looked, but not seen?
I admittedly have an issue with names. It reminds me of the story of the church Vicar put in charge of hiring a new bell ringer. An applicant who had no arms applied and begged for the job. He took him to the belfry and showed him the bell and asked him how he was going to ring the thing. The applicant said "watch this" and ran face first into the bell. The Vicar told him if he wanted the job that bad, he could have it if he lasted the day. About dark, the new ringer ran toward the bell, missed, and fell out on the sidewalk below. A crowd gathered as they put him on a stretcher and the paramedic ask the Vicar if he knew the man's name. No, he replied, but his face sure rings a bell!
Well, the first spring we were in business, a customer came in dressed in Red Wing plow shoes, bib overalls and an old, greasy A-C cap and flannel shirt. He wanted 6 insecticide attachments for an A-C No-till Planter. I told him the price and that we had them upstairs. He said fine, get them down and I will pick them up tomorrow. I got busy and forgot. The next day, dressed in the same apparel, he returned and I told him I forgot and would he help me bring them down. He followed me upstairs, made the 3 trips toting the heavy boxes, and we sat them out on the side walk. I then asked him what attaching kits he needed. He caught his breath and said, "I don't know but if..." I completed his sentence and told him to follow me and showed him the two options on planters outside. He took out a handkerchief, wiped his brow, grabbed my arm and said, "Buddy, I don't know you and evidently you don't know me. Please, I just want an oil filter for my tractor!" I had mistaken Ed Glass for Dub Paschall — hey, they dressed alike!
This experience taught me many lessons. One, when you make a mistake like this you have to be ready for the ribbing you get for the rest of your life. Two, one must pay more attention to customers, look them in the eye and force a memory chip to fry in the brain. Thirdly, get the money before doing a lot of legwork; Ed changed his mind and I had to pack all the stuff back upstairs myself. I didn't figure Dub would entertain an offer to help again.
William Ward said we never really mature until we can laugh at ourselves. I am a really mature, some say manure, person!
'Til next time, I bet you have some "egg on the face" experiences as well, eh?
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Told from the perspective of an in-the-trenches owner/operator — Tim Brannon of B&G Equipment, Paris, Tenn. — Equipment Dealer Tips, Tales & Takeaways shares knowledge, experiences and tips/lessons with fellow rural equipment dealerships throughout North America. Covering all aspects required of an equipment dealership general manager, Brannon will inform, entertain and provide a teachable moment for current — and future — leaders within equipment dealerships. |
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