EVERYONE I APPROACH AT THE DEALERSHIP HEARS THOSE WORDS AS I STRETCH OUT MY HAND TO SHAKE THEIRS. I INTRODUCE MYSELF AND POLITELY ASK THEIR NAME AND THOSE ACCOMPANING THEM.
THE MAJORITY WILL SHAKE MY HAND AND TELL ME THEIRS BUT THERE ARE THOSE THAT THINK BY NOT TELLING ME ALLOWS THEM SOME SUPERIORITY OVER ME. JUST BECAUSE I'M SHORT AND MY WIFE DRESSES ME FUNNY THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE ME FIGURED OUT. AS SOON AS THEY DECIDE TO DRIVE A CAR, I ASK FOR THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE, WHICH IS PROCEDURE, AND THE NAME IS A SECRET NO LONGER. I HOWEVER, APPRECIATE THEIR RELUCTANCE TO SHARE AND NOT BE HOUNDED BY NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS.
IF I APPROACH A CLIENT AND THEY DON'T SMILE AT SOMETHING I SAY IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES, I REALIZE THAT THEY'RE EITHER HARD OF HEARING OR JUST PLAIN SENILE. DON'T THEY KNOW THAT IT'S MY ORDERS FROM THE ALMIGHTY THAT I HAVE TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE AT LEAST ONCE A DAY.
DURING MY ALMOST ONE AND A HALF YEARS WITH THE COMPANY I'VE HONED MY APPROACH OF FORMING A RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT OFFENDING TOO MANY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS.
THERE WAS ONE TIME HOWEVER THAT I DIDN'T EXTEND MY HAND FOR A GREETING. THIS HAPPENED IN OUR RESTROOM AS I WAS DOING MY THING AT THE MEN'S URINAL. THE GENTLEMAN NEXT TO ME SAW MY I.D. BADGE AND ASKED IF I WAS A SALESMAN, WHICH I ANSWERED WITH A BIG YES. SINCE WE WERE HANGING OUT TOGETHER, WHAT BETTER TIME TO ASK THE QUESTION, "CAN I HELP YOU FIND SOMETHING?"
LONG STORY, SHORT, I ASKED HIM IF HE WASHED HIS HANDS, AS HE APPROACHED MY DESK. THIS BROUGHT AN IMMEDIATE SMILE TO HIS FACE. (HE SAID HE DID) THE ICE WAS BROKEN, HE WAS IN THE MILITARY AND HE WANTED TO BUY A TRUCK, AND HE DID. I KEPT THINKING, WHAT IF THE URGE TO GO DIDN'T HAPPEN AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME.
I MUST HAVE MADE AN IMPRESSION ON HE AND HIS WIFE BECAUSE THEY SENT ME ANOTHER MILITARY COUPLE A FEW DAYS LATER WHO ALSO PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM ME.
NO, I'M NOT KEEPING AN EYE ON THE RESTROOM FOR MORE POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS, PEOPLE WILL TALK.
ALMOST ALL OF THE PEOPLE WE APPROACH ON THE LOT SAY THE SAME THING, "WE'RE JUST LOOKING." I KNOW THAT, I ONLY MEAN TO HELP, NO REASON TO GET NASTY AND HURT MY FEELINGS, AM I NOT A HUMAN BEING, DO I NOT FEEL, DO I NOT BLEED, NEVER MIND, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
ONE TIME I APPROACHED A COUPLE AND AFTER INTRODUCING MYSELF SAID "WE'RE HERE TO PURCHASE A CAR AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO STOP US." MY KIND OF PEOPLE, A SENSE OF HUMOR AND PURPOSE. I FOUND OUT WHAT THEY WANTED, GOT THEM QUALIFIED AND THEY DROVE OFF IN A NEW HIGHLANDER, IN UNDER TWO HOURS TOTAL. HE DID DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN THOUGH, HE INSISTED ON A "RONNIE'S TEE SHIRT."
ALONG WITH THE NICE COMES THE NOT SO NICE. AFTER SPENDING OVER THREE HOURS WITH A CLIENT AND DRIVING FOUR DIFFERENT PRIUS', HE MADE THE DECISION ON THE ONE HE WANTED BUT WANTED TO TAKE IT HOME TO SHOW HIS WIFE. NO PROBLEM, I PUT A DEALERS TAG ON THE CAR AND OFF HE WENT. HE CALLED ME A FEW HOURS LATER AND TOLD ME HIS WIFE LOVED THE CAR AND THEY WANTED TO PUT $10,000.00 DOWN. HE SAID HE WOULD BE IN THE NEXT MORNING TO COMPLETE THE DEAL.
I ARRIVED AT 8:30 TO GET EVERYTHING READY AND HE WAS ALREADY IN THE MANAGERS OFFICE. THEY HAD CHANGED THEIR MIND AND DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION (FIRST TIME I HEARD THAT ONE) AND THE ECONOMY BEING WHAT IT IS, THEY WANTED TO WAIT. I EXPLAINED THAT HE WOULD BE HELPING THE ECONOMY BY PURCHASING A CAR, HE DIDN'T SMILE AND LEFT. OH WELL, S_ IT HAPPENS, THANKFULLY NOT TOO MUCH.
I HAD A CLIENT COME IN LOOKING FOR A USED CERTIFIED TOYOTA. HE TOLD ME THE MAXIMUM THAT HE WOULD PAY AND WOULD TAKE ANY COLOR BUT TAN. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE CAR THAT FIT HIS REQUIREMENTS TO A "T" WAS SANDY BEACH, A SORT OF GOLD, HE SAID IT WAS TAN. I TOLD HIM THAT IF HE WOULD BE A LITTLE COLOR BLIND AND TAKE THE GOLD ONE, I WOULD GIVE HIM A BETTER PRICE THAN HE SAID HE WOULD PAY. HE BOUGHT THE GOLD CAR BUT ASKED THAT I DO NOT CALL IT TAN WHEN HIS WIFE SHOWED UP, I DIDN'T AND SHE SAID THAT SHE LOVED THAT GOLD COLOR.
WHEN YOU IDENTIFY WHAT THE CUSTOMER IS LOOKING FOR AND CAN SHOW THEM THE KEY SELLING POINTS OF THAT VEHICLE, THE JOB OF SELLING A CAR IS MUCH EASIER. IF YOU TRY TO BULLSHIT YOUR WAY WITH THE CUSTOMER, THEY WON'T TRUST ANYTHING YOU SAY. TREAT THE CUSTOMER AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED, BE HONEST IN YOUR NEGOTIATIONS AND YOU'VE MADE A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE, ONE THAT WILL SEND YOU A LOT OF BUSINESS.
I HOPE EVERYONE WHO BOTHERS TO READ THIS IS IN GOOD HEALTH AND BE SURE TO VOTE.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
MASHOOGEE
Two of my Doctors recently told me, "Ron, whatever you're doing, keep it up". I'm sure they meant the work not the other meaning.
Most of my non Jewish readers will ask "Vos is dos?", or actually, "what does that mean?" My friends call me that because of the many hours I work (average of 50 a week) selling cars. It means a little nuts but not quite crazy.
I've always been described as a workaholic and maybe the description is a valid one. I believe my work ethic came from my Dad. Our family owned a small neighborhood grocery during the war years (WWII) in Chicago. I would open the store early to allow the milk and bread man in to replenish their stock. When they were finished, around 7am I would go back to our apartment above the store, have breakfast and head to school.
After school I would work at the store until closing time. On Sundays I would accompany my Dad to the famed Maxwell St. to rent a card table and sell whatever the market master would give us. I honestly believe that those Sundays on Maxwell St. were the beginning of my sales training. We never sold the same item twice, no matter what we offered, we worked together, had fun together and split whatever profit we made. One day we might be selling softballs, or sweaters that were blems or seconds, or leather jackets, watches, etc, we never knew what it would be until we got there. If a person stopped at our table we sold him something, regardless of price. At that time if we cleared $10.00 each, it was a good day.
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| Maxwell St. in the early days |
After my army discharge, working at the auto parts store, it too was a 7 day work week and when I started Ronnie's Speed Shop the hours became longer. I complained about the long hours but I knew what it took to be the best, put in your time to collect your dime (just made that up).
When I moved to Hawaii and opened my photo business I worked 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, from 4am to midnight. So, I guess a gluten for work would also describe what I am.
I remember a wise man telling me that his motto was "whatever it took to get it hard". Meaning that he would do whatever it took to make his business the best. And also, surround himself with like thinking associates.
Since I've been selling cars I've been offered a few jobs with less hours and more money but I've turned them down because I like what I'm doing. I especially enjoy meeting people and enjoy it even more when they buy a car. I love working outside except when it's 100 degrees or freezing, but that's part of the job.
Certainly there are days that are very frustrating. When you work with a client for a couple of hours, thinking you have a sale and they decide to leave. By the time I find the key to unlock their ankle strap so they can go for whatever reason they see fit, I've at least made a new acquaintence and you know what, some do come back.
For the most part, my personality is pleasing to my customers because almost all comment on how I must be enjoying what I do and how much they enjoy working with me. My wife has commented that I seem much happier when I get home and she can tell if I've made a sale on how big my smile is.
I'm continuing my pursuit of making people smile everyday and it seems to be working and to be truthfull, I guess I am MASHOOGEE.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
SUCH IS LIFE
I use the term quite a bit lately, SUCH IS LIFE, seems to feel like the right thing to say at times. This blog is another about a loss of a friend, a good friend, a buddy, a confidant, my best friend since moving to Kansas City.
My friend Mel passed away last night after suffering for quite awhile but he finally accepted the fact and was tired of fighting and hurting. He said his goodbyes to his family and friends and died in his bed as he had planned. He refused to die in the hospital. He had his time alone with his wife and told her that his greatest regret was that he would not be around to take care of her, as she had done for him.
"Please take care of Carol" he asked of us, as he knew we would. In the last few days he struggled with the pain that only morphine could ease but up until the end he was sharp and tried to make us all smile, cracking little jokes.
I held his hand as he tried as hard as he could to squeeze mine but any strength he had was gone. I cried as we talked about all the good times we had together especially fishing which was the one thing he loved to do more than anything. I cannot count the times when he laid his pole down to bait my hook until the day he said, "Grow up, the worm or minnow won't feel a thing, bait it yourself" and I did.
We spoke of the great times we had fishing in Canada, going on cruises, vacationing in Las Vegas or the Ozarks and remembering all the good, no, the great times we shared together with our wives and friends.
My friend Mel passed away last night after suffering for quite awhile but he finally accepted the fact and was tired of fighting and hurting. He said his goodbyes to his family and friends and died in his bed as he had planned. He refused to die in the hospital. He had his time alone with his wife and told her that his greatest regret was that he would not be around to take care of her, as she had done for him.
"Please take care of Carol" he asked of us, as he knew we would. In the last few days he struggled with the pain that only morphine could ease but up until the end he was sharp and tried to make us all smile, cracking little jokes.
I held his hand as he tried as hard as he could to squeeze mine but any strength he had was gone. I cried as we talked about all the good times we had together especially fishing which was the one thing he loved to do more than anything. I cannot count the times when he laid his pole down to bait my hook until the day he said, "Grow up, the worm or minnow won't feel a thing, bait it yourself" and I did.
We spoke of the great times we had fishing in Canada, going on cruises, vacationing in Las Vegas or the Ozarks and remembering all the good, no, the great times we shared together with our wives and friends.
Mel meant a lot to many people and the memory of who he was will not be forgotten. He was a mensch in the truest way. There was nothing he wouldn't do for you. He left us too soon and it pisses me off but he's out of pain and resting in peace.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
ANOTHER OLD BUDDY, GONE.
The other day I received an e-mail from an ex wife of one of my boyhood friends. I hadn't seen or heard from him in quite a few years.
The last time we saw each other was at our 50th high school reunion. When he first entered the room I didn't recognize him. He was, those many years ago a strapping handsome jock that almost every girl in school wanted to date.
I couldn't believe my eyes, he had gotten considerably shorter, much heavier and his face was pudgy, he almost looked like a botox injection that went extremely bad, and he was still smoking Lucky Strikes. I could go on and on trying to describe him but that's really not the point of this blog.
I'm sorry that he's gone but our Division St. bunch is dwindling. I can count on one hand those of us that are still around. Sure we've all had health problems of one kind or another but we're still kicking. In fact one of our guys, living in Chicago is still playing basketball, on two replacement knees. I think he goes to sleep with a ball in his bed as a safety blanket.
I think it's great that he still plays, he'll probably outlive us all. I don't know if any of the others are still working as I am, but I feel fortunate that I can and still enjoy going in 5 days a week.
A few times a year I'll take out a group photo of my friends and see how many are gone. It's sad, we should have all had that one last reunion back in Chicago while we could still manuever. It might be fun to just take a ride down Division St., drive through Humboldt Park, go by Roosevelt High, maybe even go inside, drive by the Pizza joint on Lawrence Ave. where we went after the movies on Friday nights, if it's still there, probably not, it's almost 60 years.
I try not to think about death but at our age we face it every day. All of my aunts and uncles are gone except for a few. I've outlived both my parents. I've had a wonderful life, but I wonder, where did it go. "It seems like only yesterday", a statement I often repeat.
The people I work with play a game with me, wanting to hear my stories which I always seem to have ready at a moments notice. Since I have such a long past the stories are easier to come up with but don't ask me what happened this morning.
Boy, we are old farts, why don't I feel like one?
To Fred, Harry, the two Jerrys, Jack, Bobby, Les and anyone else from the neighborhood I don't remember, stay upright and keep smiling.
Facebook is great for keeping in touch.
The last time we saw each other was at our 50th high school reunion. When he first entered the room I didn't recognize him. He was, those many years ago a strapping handsome jock that almost every girl in school wanted to date.
I couldn't believe my eyes, he had gotten considerably shorter, much heavier and his face was pudgy, he almost looked like a botox injection that went extremely bad, and he was still smoking Lucky Strikes. I could go on and on trying to describe him but that's really not the point of this blog.
I'm sorry that he's gone but our Division St. bunch is dwindling. I can count on one hand those of us that are still around. Sure we've all had health problems of one kind or another but we're still kicking. In fact one of our guys, living in Chicago is still playing basketball, on two replacement knees. I think he goes to sleep with a ball in his bed as a safety blanket.
I think it's great that he still plays, he'll probably outlive us all. I don't know if any of the others are still working as I am, but I feel fortunate that I can and still enjoy going in 5 days a week.
A few times a year I'll take out a group photo of my friends and see how many are gone. It's sad, we should have all had that one last reunion back in Chicago while we could still manuever. It might be fun to just take a ride down Division St., drive through Humboldt Park, go by Roosevelt High, maybe even go inside, drive by the Pizza joint on Lawrence Ave. where we went after the movies on Friday nights, if it's still there, probably not, it's almost 60 years.
I try not to think about death but at our age we face it every day. All of my aunts and uncles are gone except for a few. I've outlived both my parents. I've had a wonderful life, but I wonder, where did it go. "It seems like only yesterday", a statement I often repeat.
The people I work with play a game with me, wanting to hear my stories which I always seem to have ready at a moments notice. Since I have such a long past the stories are easier to come up with but don't ask me what happened this morning.
Boy, we are old farts, why don't I feel like one?
To Fred, Harry, the two Jerrys, Jack, Bobby, Les and anyone else from the neighborhood I don't remember, stay upright and keep smiling.
Facebook is great for keeping in touch.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
HOW WILL I FEEL TODAY?
I woke up yesterday morning as I usually do, slowly, putting both feet on the ground before standing, so as not to fall flat on my face. I admit I'm not as steady as I used to be, especially since acquiring the agony of da feet.
It's six am and I have to get ready for another day out on the lot. As most of you know I'm a salesman for Superior Toyota of Merriam, soon to be Rick Hendrick's Toyota as soon as we move into our new location at 67th and I-35. A larger new state of the art building that will hold both the New and Used sales staffs.
After showering I usually feel much better about getting out and going to work. I never decide beforehand how I'm going to feel but I know that if I want to be successful today I have to have a positive attitude, forget the aged aches and pains, the FFA, overlook the tightness in my back or the shaking of the knees or whether the hips will make it through the day. I tell myself, keep smiling and all of the above will disappear. Sometimes it does, in fact, most of the time, I feel pretty good, especially at my age.
I have to get ready for a customer that is coming in to purchase a car today after coming in three previous times without making a buying decision. She called last night and said she's ready to buy but does not want to fiddle around and spend all day with the process.
When she finally arrives she decides that she does not want to sit in my office and do the paper work. "It's too nice a day" she says, and it is, "Let's do it outside". It's a first for me but my manager says go ahead, so we did. We completed all the initial paperwork out on the trunk of her new car. So far we've only spent 18 minutes. She had already informed me that she was in a sort of rush so we should move quickly. She didn't know that she was working with Rapid Ron.
I took her down to our finance office to complete the transaction and while she was there I drove her car down to detail to get it ready for presentation and delivery. She finishes at the same time her car comes up and she's on her way after spending less than an hour, a new all time record, at least for me.
Two minutes after she drove off the lot, my cell phone rings and she's calling me back. I knew it was too good to be true, what could be wrong, did I screwup which would not be unusual. Was the there something wrong with the car, did she run out of gas, what is it. I answer the phone and she tells me that she left her garage door opener in her old car and she was turning around and coming back. I worried for nothing, all that anxiety for nothing. I grabbed her opener, went to the edge of the lot, caught her turning in, handed it through her window and she yells back "Ron you rock!"
I just hope that she feels that way when she receives her survey and she at least remembers my name instead of that short old guy.
The rest of the afternoon I had that wonderful feeling that it was truly a great day. The weather was beautiful, I wasn't hurting and I continued to make people smile, which made it another very special day and I felt 20 years younger.
I guess all it takes is making a sale and everything is good.
It's six am and I have to get ready for another day out on the lot. As most of you know I'm a salesman for Superior Toyota of Merriam, soon to be Rick Hendrick's Toyota as soon as we move into our new location at 67th and I-35. A larger new state of the art building that will hold both the New and Used sales staffs.
After showering I usually feel much better about getting out and going to work. I never decide beforehand how I'm going to feel but I know that if I want to be successful today I have to have a positive attitude, forget the aged aches and pains, the FFA, overlook the tightness in my back or the shaking of the knees or whether the hips will make it through the day. I tell myself, keep smiling and all of the above will disappear. Sometimes it does, in fact, most of the time, I feel pretty good, especially at my age.
I have to get ready for a customer that is coming in to purchase a car today after coming in three previous times without making a buying decision. She called last night and said she's ready to buy but does not want to fiddle around and spend all day with the process.
When she finally arrives she decides that she does not want to sit in my office and do the paper work. "It's too nice a day" she says, and it is, "Let's do it outside". It's a first for me but my manager says go ahead, so we did. We completed all the initial paperwork out on the trunk of her new car. So far we've only spent 18 minutes. She had already informed me that she was in a sort of rush so we should move quickly. She didn't know that she was working with Rapid Ron.
I took her down to our finance office to complete the transaction and while she was there I drove her car down to detail to get it ready for presentation and delivery. She finishes at the same time her car comes up and she's on her way after spending less than an hour, a new all time record, at least for me.
Two minutes after she drove off the lot, my cell phone rings and she's calling me back. I knew it was too good to be true, what could be wrong, did I screwup which would not be unusual. Was the there something wrong with the car, did she run out of gas, what is it. I answer the phone and she tells me that she left her garage door opener in her old car and she was turning around and coming back. I worried for nothing, all that anxiety for nothing. I grabbed her opener, went to the edge of the lot, caught her turning in, handed it through her window and she yells back "Ron you rock!"
I just hope that she feels that way when she receives her survey and she at least remembers my name instead of that short old guy.
The rest of the afternoon I had that wonderful feeling that it was truly a great day. The weather was beautiful, I wasn't hurting and I continued to make people smile, which made it another very special day and I felt 20 years younger.
I guess all it takes is making a sale and everything is good.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A CONVERSATION PIECE
Or, how to meet someone, wear a name T-shirt. The other day when I wasn't working I put on a KU Jayhawk shirt.
We went shopping at a local grocery store and as we went thru the produce department I came upon a man wearing a KU hat. He stopped in front of me and said "Rock Chalk", as most of you in the area know, it's a KU chant. We immediately struck up a conversation about the upcoming game. Before leaving I handed him my business card, just in case he needed or knew someone who needed a car.
As we went through the store I had three more such encounters and handed out 3 more cards. I figured, what a great time for networking, as I've been doing for so many years and recently reinforced by Rip Walker, a Toyota instructor.
During the day we made a few more stops and this time it was I that stopped and spoke to anyone wearing KU logo attire. It was easy and it was fun. We shared smiles, stories and more than anything, it felt as if I was meeting old friends that I hadn't seen in years.
It's amazing, just wearing a team shirt introduced 10 new people to each other with each leaving with a smile on their face and some with my business card in their hand.
If I wasn't wearing the shirt and happened to smile at someone, I might leave with a bruised body. Wearing the school logo was like a shield against bigotry (unless it was someone wearing an MU shirt)or better yet a way to meet a new friend, a comrade in cheering for our team.
Maybe I'll get lucky and one of those people I met will come in and buy a car or give my card to a friend, we'll see. Anyway, it was a fun day spending it with my wife and talking to so many people.
KU won their first round and tonight they play Purdue, a tough team but hopefully they can play their best and beat the Boilermakers.
The March Madness consumes everyone that is a basketball fan. It's hard to turn on the TV during this time of year and not see a game. My condolences go out to my Missouri and K State friends. I hope everybody gets a chance to cheer for their team that might still be playing, except of course for North Carolina, Kentucky or Syracuse.
Rock Chalk!!!
We went shopping at a local grocery store and as we went thru the produce department I came upon a man wearing a KU hat. He stopped in front of me and said "Rock Chalk", as most of you in the area know, it's a KU chant. We immediately struck up a conversation about the upcoming game. Before leaving I handed him my business card, just in case he needed or knew someone who needed a car.
As we went through the store I had three more such encounters and handed out 3 more cards. I figured, what a great time for networking, as I've been doing for so many years and recently reinforced by Rip Walker, a Toyota instructor.
During the day we made a few more stops and this time it was I that stopped and spoke to anyone wearing KU logo attire. It was easy and it was fun. We shared smiles, stories and more than anything, it felt as if I was meeting old friends that I hadn't seen in years.
It's amazing, just wearing a team shirt introduced 10 new people to each other with each leaving with a smile on their face and some with my business card in their hand.
If I wasn't wearing the shirt and happened to smile at someone, I might leave with a bruised body. Wearing the school logo was like a shield against bigotry (unless it was someone wearing an MU shirt)or better yet a way to meet a new friend, a comrade in cheering for our team.
Maybe I'll get lucky and one of those people I met will come in and buy a car or give my card to a friend, we'll see. Anyway, it was a fun day spending it with my wife and talking to so many people.
KU won their first round and tonight they play Purdue, a tough team but hopefully they can play their best and beat the Boilermakers.
The March Madness consumes everyone that is a basketball fan. It's hard to turn on the TV during this time of year and not see a game. My condolences go out to my Missouri and K State friends. I hope everybody gets a chance to cheer for their team that might still be playing, except of course for North Carolina, Kentucky or Syracuse.
Rock Chalk!!!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
MY GRANDAUGHTER'S BAT MITZVAH
Yesterday was my grandaughter Kylie's Bat Mitzvah. It takes place at the age of 13 when a girl becomes a woman and as a boy becomes a man at his Bar Mitzvah, also around the 13th Birthday. Kylie was terrific, she sailed through her Torah portion with ease and clarity, making her family extremely proud of the work she had done during the previous months.
The day was also a time of togetherness. Most of the family was there to celebrate the occasion and share in the moment. Those that were given an aliyah (honor)to participate were also very good in accomplishing their assigned tasks.
We saw family that we hadn't seen in awhile and old friends that came to share our joyous occasion. We also missed those relatives and friends that couldn't come
due to illness, but all in all it was a wonderful time.
As is modern custom, a party is given that evening so the Bat Mitzvah can share her evening with a hundred or so of her friends and family. This party starts out with the girls all standing together and the same for
the boys. It was the same when I was that age and I'm
sure for most of you that are reading this. Though the parties back then were not this elaborate.
The adults all stood around screaming at each other so they could be heard over the music and the screaming of the kids. It was fun watching the packs of youngsters running here and there trying to avoid speaking with the opposite sex. When the DJ finally played some of their requested music, they all started jumping and swaying, but not touching, g-d forbid they should touch.
In vain, I tried to get the girls to pick out a boy and the same with the young men. The girls shrieked and the boys all answered with the same "But they're taller than us", as it was in my day. I tried to explain to the boys that dancing with a taller girl could be fun, no explanation neccessary.
The room was decorated in a white winter theme and most attendees wore outfits basically white. The placards showing your table assignments were sno globes, really a classy effect. Our creative son David outdid himself.
It was a great evening, enjoyed by all.
Monday morning I arrived back to work full of enthusiasm after being off for two weeks sure of the fact that I could become that salesman that I knew I would be. I was warmly welcomed back by my friends who told me I was missed, they had gone for 2 weeks without a story. While I was gone the weather in KC was great, I return and so does winter, I know, I'm sure it's my fault. It's funny though, when you sell a car,it warms up and my feet don't hurt.
During my vacation I finished reading a training book and started reading a few of the chapters a second and third time, specifically on closing. I thought I had it down pat, ready to put it into use. The way to keep people from leaving is to lock your office door.
The day was also a time of togetherness. Most of the family was there to celebrate the occasion and share in the moment. Those that were given an aliyah (honor)to participate were also very good in accomplishing their assigned tasks.
We saw family that we hadn't seen in awhile and old friends that came to share our joyous occasion. We also missed those relatives and friends that couldn't come
due to illness, but all in all it was a wonderful time.
As is modern custom, a party is given that evening so the Bat Mitzvah can share her evening with a hundred or so of her friends and family. This party starts out with the girls all standing together and the same for
the boys. It was the same when I was that age and I'm
sure for most of you that are reading this. Though the parties back then were not this elaborate.
The adults all stood around screaming at each other so they could be heard over the music and the screaming of the kids. It was fun watching the packs of youngsters running here and there trying to avoid speaking with the opposite sex. When the DJ finally played some of their requested music, they all started jumping and swaying, but not touching, g-d forbid they should touch.
In vain, I tried to get the girls to pick out a boy and the same with the young men. The girls shrieked and the boys all answered with the same "But they're taller than us", as it was in my day. I tried to explain to the boys that dancing with a taller girl could be fun, no explanation neccessary.
The room was decorated in a white winter theme and most attendees wore outfits basically white. The placards showing your table assignments were sno globes, really a classy effect. Our creative son David outdid himself.
It was a great evening, enjoyed by all.
Monday morning I arrived back to work full of enthusiasm after being off for two weeks sure of the fact that I could become that salesman that I knew I would be. I was warmly welcomed back by my friends who told me I was missed, they had gone for 2 weeks without a story. While I was gone the weather in KC was great, I return and so does winter, I know, I'm sure it's my fault. It's funny though, when you sell a car,it warms up and my feet don't hurt.
During my vacation I finished reading a training book and started reading a few of the chapters a second and third time, specifically on closing. I thought I had it down pat, ready to put it into use. The way to keep people from leaving is to lock your office door.
Monday, January 23, 2012
I'M ON VACATION
I can't believe how fast my life is going bye. In another week I'll be selling cars at Superior Toyota for eight months. It seems like yesterday that I answered an ad in Career Builder. I had applied at just about every dealership, auto parts store or photo lab in the greater Kansas City area to no avail. I had great interviews and an impressive resume showing everything I had done since my discharge from the Army in 1956.
Big mistake, even though age is not supposed to be a deciding factor, once they realize how old you actually are they just don't call you back. My daughters were looking at my resume and told me that I could say that I was a veteran but not to mention the year I was discharged. So, I made a slight change eliminating about ten years from my early experiences.
After e-mailing my resume to Mr. Ed Harris, the used car sales manager at Superior, I was called the next day to come in for an interview. During our conversation I decided that I wanted to work for this man. He looked me right in the eye, gave me the good and the bad about selling cars and said he would call me back, which he did the next day and asked me to come in for another interview with the New Car manager.
He too was upfront and very impressive. I had told Mr. Harris my actual age so we would start out on the right foot. I should have chosen the left because I developed Plantar Fasciitis in that foot. Anyway, I started soon after and from day one I was in my niche.
They started by sending me to training by Rip Walker, A Hendrick Auto training specialist on the companies way of selling and ethics. The training they provide is excellent. It took me awhile to soak it all up and I'm still learning something new everyday. My immediate managers Ryan and Jeremy have continually tried to help me become the salesperson I know I'm capable of being.
Ed Harris my mentor, just makes it a great place to work. All of the sales people get along great and put up with this old man, me, not Ed. I believe I'm the oldest employee in the whole store but until recently, few people knew my age. I try to hold up my portion of the daily work load and not let my age dictate my performance.
Because of age and or experiences, I'm constantly telling stories. It's gotten to the point that they ask me for a story almost daily. I try to relate memories out of my memoir "MAKING HAPPY" and they seem to enjoy those the most.
I'm in Florida again this year staying with our good friend Irene (the ex Mrs. Cruel) who shares her beautiful condo with us. I hesitate sending photos from here (but I'm sure I will) so my friends at Superior won't feel bad working in the cold while I enjoy the sun and fun, however I hear the weather this week is pretty good.
I'm at the point in my auto sales that give me the confidence to sell more that I've sold the previous month and to increase that number from here on. Am I having fun, I believe I am. Other than the agony of da feet, I'm enjoying going to work every day and plan on selling at least a car a day. I'm fullfilling a need and to watch the people drive away in their new car with a smile on their faces helps me keep the promise I made in the Smoky Mountains to make people smile everyday and yes, I'm still a 44 short.
I'll leave you with this, I'll try to keep my blogs coming more often if you send someone in to buy a car. I promise that they will enjoy the experience.
Big mistake, even though age is not supposed to be a deciding factor, once they realize how old you actually are they just don't call you back. My daughters were looking at my resume and told me that I could say that I was a veteran but not to mention the year I was discharged. So, I made a slight change eliminating about ten years from my early experiences.
After e-mailing my resume to Mr. Ed Harris, the used car sales manager at Superior, I was called the next day to come in for an interview. During our conversation I decided that I wanted to work for this man. He looked me right in the eye, gave me the good and the bad about selling cars and said he would call me back, which he did the next day and asked me to come in for another interview with the New Car manager.
He too was upfront and very impressive. I had told Mr. Harris my actual age so we would start out on the right foot. I should have chosen the left because I developed Plantar Fasciitis in that foot. Anyway, I started soon after and from day one I was in my niche.
They started by sending me to training by Rip Walker, A Hendrick Auto training specialist on the companies way of selling and ethics. The training they provide is excellent. It took me awhile to soak it all up and I'm still learning something new everyday. My immediate managers Ryan and Jeremy have continually tried to help me become the salesperson I know I'm capable of being.
Ed Harris my mentor, just makes it a great place to work. All of the sales people get along great and put up with this old man, me, not Ed. I believe I'm the oldest employee in the whole store but until recently, few people knew my age. I try to hold up my portion of the daily work load and not let my age dictate my performance.
Because of age and or experiences, I'm constantly telling stories. It's gotten to the point that they ask me for a story almost daily. I try to relate memories out of my memoir "MAKING HAPPY" and they seem to enjoy those the most.
I'm in Florida again this year staying with our good friend Irene (the ex Mrs. Cruel) who shares her beautiful condo with us. I hesitate sending photos from here (but I'm sure I will) so my friends at Superior won't feel bad working in the cold while I enjoy the sun and fun, however I hear the weather this week is pretty good.
I'm at the point in my auto sales that give me the confidence to sell more that I've sold the previous month and to increase that number from here on. Am I having fun, I believe I am. Other than the agony of da feet, I'm enjoying going to work every day and plan on selling at least a car a day. I'm fullfilling a need and to watch the people drive away in their new car with a smile on their faces helps me keep the promise I made in the Smoky Mountains to make people smile everyday and yes, I'm still a 44 short.
I'll leave you with this, I'll try to keep my blogs coming more often if you send someone in to buy a car. I promise that they will enjoy the experience.
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