Sometimes the simple things can separate you from the rest
Long before I went into sales I ran into a salesperson I will never forget. I was 20 years old and in need of a new car. I wasn’t picky about what I wanted, I just wanted something dependable for my commute from Bellevue to Seattle, Washington. I was working at the flagship Red Robin at the time.
This is an experience I will never forget.
I decided to take someone with me. Gregg loved to buy and sell cars and just loved the entire process. He loved the whole negotiating piece, and to him it was all about winning. I didn’t give a flying rats ass, I just wanted a car. I was always intimidated about walking into a dealership so it gave me peace of mind to have him there.
I won’t mention the name, it was a mainstay Chevrolet Dealership in Seattle, and they were known for having a good inventory of used cars. It was like going to the shopping mall, they had everything you needed, and then some. I noticed this cute little yellow Ford Courier, my golf buddies tease me to this day because I referred to it as “sweet”. None of those guys have ever seen a sweet Ford Courier. It was clean, the floorboards were re-done, it was in great shape and everything I needed. It wasn’t a chick magnet, but it at least hit my hot buttons. I mean, give me a break, I was 20 years old.
This unassuming older gentlemen approached us and asked us if we needed any help. He never really made eye contact, almost too shy to do so. He wasn’t pushy, or the typical car salesman who just wants to close a deal. “Bring your car into the showroom and let us work up a deal”. This wasn’t part of his arsenal. That was good with me.
After a little test drive we started the negotiations on this “sweet” Ford Courier. As we sat in his messy office I noticed trophies and plaques everywhere. Now for you millennials out there, this is how you were rewarded back then when you were a top performer. Salesperson of the month, salesperson of the quarter, salesperson of the year. He had them all, multiple times. They were littered everywhere from his desk to his window sills. The trophies were even on the floor. You wouldn’t call him the poster child for a clean office.
I will refer to him as Paul for the sake of this article. Paul wasn’t pushy at all and we made the deal happen. As we exited the dealership I asked Gregg if he noticed anything special about Paul. He looked at me with a puzzled look and just shook his head. I asked him if he noticed all the trophies and plaques all over his office? He said yes and didn’t understand how that guy could sell so many cars. We made it so easy on him and he didn’t even need to make eye contact with us.
Paul showed me the simple things can make a big difference.
I went off to finish college and received a birthday card every year for ten years from Paul. There wasn’t anything special about the cards, “Happy Birthday. If you ever need a car let me know, or if you know of anyone who needs my help call me”. The amazing thing about this story is I moved six times in ten years and he found me. This was before the internet, google, and cell phones. I’m pretty sure he called my Mom to find out where I lived while I was in college. I was living with her at the time I bought the car. When asked later if she gave him my addresses she just smiled.
I’m sure Paul sent a card to every one of his clients.
After all those years the cards finally stopped. I would guess he passed away or retired, either way it left a lump in my throat. He was an older gentleman and I’m sure his time had come. I was so taken by his generosity, thoughtfulness, discipline, and organization of sending these cards that I decided to call the dealership. I just wanted to give thanks, and buy another car.
When I asked for him the person on the other end said, “Paul is no longer here”. I was afraid to ask where he was, or maybe I didn’t really want to know.
He already made his mark on me.
Sometimes a simple little hand written note can make the world of difference. Things are moving so fast these days that we often forget to take the time to do the things that really can separate us from the rest. Paul certainly made a difference.
The salesperson I will never forget.