Listen to Sell

A long time ago in my town I worked in a Ford dealership. Opposite it was a General Motors dealership. We had a fierce rivalry, one of which General Motors showed the most sales. One day a new salesman was working at the Ford dealership. The new salesman arrived. ‘Hello, my name is Paul.’ The old manager was retiring and Paul was replacing our manager. I was a little frustrated. I worked in the dealership for years and years and a rookie was replacing a father figure to me-to all of us? After the manager greeted all of us, we went to work. The janitors continued mopping, the secretaries continued working, and us salesmen watched as customers passed by. Finally, the new manager’s first customer arrived. An old woman in a coat, scarf and hat. The manager, Paul, came over. 

When he arrived at the customer, she said: ‘You don’t have to greet me. I just came over because the General Motors dealership hasn’t opened yet.’ 

Paul replied. ‘That’s fine. You can take a look for as long as you like.’

Feeling a little sorry for the manager, the customer continued. ‘It’s my 80th birthday today. I love General Motor cars.’

Paul replied: ‘Happy birthday! I hope you have fun in your GM car.’

He disappeared into his office. 

A few moments later a secretary came rushing over to the old lady. 

‘Happy Birthday!’ the secretary said. 

The old lady looked bewildered. 

‘How?’

The secretary replied: ‘Our sales manager told us it was your birthday, and he wanted to give this to you.’

15 minutes later the lady was walking out of the dealership with a brand new Ford sedan.