More Evil Car Salesmen Stories

Received a complaint my blog needs to lighten up and post another car lot story.

In 1986, Suzuki introduced the Somersault, er, Samurai, to the Seattle area. The only transmission was a manual. Seattle had at the time a large Asian immigrant population and all wanted automatics. A typical incoming phone call went like this. “Ah, you got Samurai $5995”? “Yes Sir” “Ah, you got automatic”?

We had a new hire who was not lacking self esteem. He made a bold statement, his first day, that he would now be the “Salesman of the Month”, every month. Either Byron or myself had that title from the first month the store opened. We decided to help him out.

“Ah, you got Samurai $5995? “Yes Sir!” Ah, you got automatic”? “Yes Sir, are you looking at our ad”? “Write my name down on the ad and bring it to me. I am the only one who knows where the automatics are stored.” “Ah, yes. What you name”? “Bob”.

Poor Bob, he never did make Salesman of the Month, even with all the extra prospects who asked for him.

A few years later, Bob and I were both at the Ford store. The advertisement hook at the time was zero down (it was a lease). One day a call came in that I, at first, thought was a prank. The call went something like this. “Ize qualifies, Ize got no money. Ize need me the ride to get the job. I get me the job, I can make the strokes, you understand”? Soon the caller had a firm appointment with Bob, the only one in the store who could do that kind of financing.

A few hours later I hear a voice behind me, “Tank, you blank blank blank” “Bob”, I answered, “What’s up”? Why he thought I had set him up instead of the thirty others in the store who disliked him, I can’t explain. (Not that I much cared)

Yes, car salesmen are a cruel, evil bunch.

Behavior Modification

Friends and family know about my cavalier attitude towards speed limits, traffic signals, stop signs and road conditions while going about my daily business. Take this device in the picture. The street is industrial with no sidewalks, blind driveways, or retail businesses. 35 mph should be the speed limit which is my usual velocity. Today I decided to "be legal". A good thing as local P.D. had a radar unit working the street.

My last encounter with our outstanding officers ended with me beating a stop sign ticket (for once I really was innocent). Our City Attorney said, words to effect, "That is all right, we'll get you next time"!

I willingly concede my driving behavior has been modified. My attitude? Not so much.

Ain't It A Bitch

Youngest son is in his final week of 68W Medic training; two weeks in the field doing simulated combat conditions.

At the start of his time in San Antonio, the temperature was 100+ day after day and the area was in a deep drought. Off to the field and?

Next week he gets to come home to his family but this week I imagine is pure misery.