What do YOU have in mind?

(This is the first in a multi-part allegory. It is driven by experiences we have seen too often at our sales offices. )

What Do YOU Have in Mind?
--A HARD Allegory

David “HARD” Harding, CMP
HARDintelligence.com




I recently decided to look for a new truck. It was just not working out well to take the dogs in the “business car.” And, I needed something powerful to tow the camper-trailer as we went to the mountains or to the lake. I really thought about a four-wheel drive. I really only needed seating for two people, although four would be fine. But, I needed room for two portable dog kennels and a drive train that would get me back and forth without worry.

I talked to many friends and they told me that this was a terrible time to buy. Gas prices were at all time highs. Gas-guzzlers would be worth much less tomorrow and even less next week. What was I thinking????

I was thinking that I had outgrown my existing vehicles. I may be about to make a decision that my expert friends would criticize and, maybe even, laugh about.

But they didn’t have to put up with Prancer and Lee-Victoria, my Basset Hounds crowded into the small car, doubled up in a single dog carrier, and even then leaning at an angle in the back seat. To me, this was a daily imposition and a compromise to my life that I needed to remedy. I could either change my life, get rid of the dogs, or not take them with me, or come up with another equally-unacceptable solution.

I was on a mission, so off to the auto dealerships. I have never had a bad experience buying a car, but what a pain this was likely to be!

Dealership #1.

I parked at the curb, so no one could see what I was driving. No need to let them think I could afford too much, right? I brought my measuring tape to check whether the kennels would fit into the back of any vehicle I might be considering.

I walked onto the lot, right into the showroom. A very nice lady motioned that she’d be off the phone shortly, and, sure enough, she was. She was obviously very interested in me as a person.

She inquired how I was.

Since she seemed so nice, I decided to tell her. I shared my issues of incontinence and how I was afraid it would get worse. And, since she was so nice, not some pushy salesperson, and didn’t interrupt me at all, I felt obligated to disclose that the twitch in my eye had sometimes resulted in people thinking I was coming on to them. After that, she still showed that she was not going to try and make me buy something unless I wanted to.

She asked if this was my first visit to Thunder Motors. I don’t know why she asked, but I told her it was.

I keep saying “she” because I never got her name. She also refused to be one of those obnoxious “salespeople” and get my name so she would have some control over me.

She told me that they had some great incentives and that I would love the vehicles. If I bought that day, I would get a lease that would be for 25,000 miles per year rather than the normal 12-15,000. She invited me to look around the showroom. She also waved her arm toward the lot and pretty much invited me to look around for anything that suited my fancy, saying that Thunder Motors prided themselves on their service and would not be undersold.

Then, she said she needed to call back someone who had been in recently and tell them about the new incentives.

As she dropped back to her desk and picked up the phone, I wandered around a bit, then left. This wasn’t so bad at all. No pressure whatsoever. And a very nice lady interested in me as a person, not just as a commission. I will never forget how she smiled throughout.

(Next installment on Thursday, Feb. 14)