A young man applied for a sales position in a local department store. Being young, it took some convincing that he was the man they were looking for, so he was hired on a trial basis. After only one week, the sales manager called him to talk about the new salesman’s week. The manager was impressed. The new salesman had exceeded all expectations. In fact, he had broken all existing sales records. So, he asked the new salesman how he did it.
“Well, a feller came in and I sold him some fish hooks. Then I told him since he has new fish hooks, he ought to get some new fishing line. So, I sold him some new line. Then I told him since he had new hooks and new line, a new rod and reel would look nice. So, I sold him a new rod and reel. Then I told him that he a need some new fishing lures to go with his new rod and reel. So, I sold him two of each type of lures the store carries and a new tackle box to carry them in.”
The sales manager said, “That’s great salesmanship, but it doesn’t explain the total sales figure I have here. Is that all?”
“Well, not exactly,” the new salesman said, “I did manage to sell him a bit more. I told him since he had all this new fishing equipment, he ought to have a new boat so he could, get to the good fishing spots. So, I sold him a new 19’ bassboat with a 200 HP outboard engine on a tandem axle trailer.”
“Wow! Now that’s really good salesmanship. You are going to go places, son. But, it still doesn’t explain these figures. Is that all?”
“Well, not exactly,” the new salesman said, “I told the guy he was well on his way to the best fishing trip of his life, if he just had a way to tow the boat to the lake. So, I sold him a new Dodge 4x4 extended cab pickup with full tow package.”
“Wonderful!” the manager cried. “So, that’s where these figures come from. All that and the guy only came in for fish hooks?”
“Well, not exactly,” the new salesman said. “The feller came in for feminine napkins and I told him since he wasn’t doing anything this weekend he may as well go fishing.”