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Some Things Are Better Let Unsaid
I recently had a car dealership shop for a company I regularly work with which is always a welcome and nice-paying assignment. But it was my third time back to my local Pontiac dealership and I had already driven the two cars I actually wanted to drive. So before I went, I started thinking about what I could act interested in buying that day to get my scenario straight. Then it came to me--I've always wanted to try driving a truck--so why not? Then an inner voice came into my head and said "girl, there is no way they are going to let you test-drive a truck if
you've never driven one before"! I told the little voice to shut up because I was determined.
To my delight, after I let the salesperson do his little presentation, he never questioned my ability to drive a truck. The next thing I know he pulled up a Dakota with an extended cab. That's when I took a look at this truck versus my compact car and thought to myself "whoa, maybe I bit off a little more than I can chew here". But I was in actress mode from the shop overall. I was invincible. We did the mandatory test drive for the shop and I didn't do more than take a year or two off the life of the salesperson. Just kidding--I did fine.
That night when my husband came home I proudly said "guess what? I can drive a pick-up truck!" When he asked how I knew that, I started to explain about my paid test drive. My husband then
interrupted me to say "but wait, you've never driven a truck, how could this be"? "Simple", I said. "The salesperson didn't know that--some things are better left unsaid"!
P.S.--I'm not advising anyone to do anything reckless when they do their shops. But by the same token, don't be afraid to have fun and do something new if the opportunity presents itself and
you are confident in your ability to handle it.
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The Dud (Not Dude As We Say In Southern California)
This past month I did an apartment shop for one of my favorite schedulers and it was one of those where you say to yourself, I'm so glad I got this shop--this person needs help! As a random
target shop (are there any nicer words in the apartment shop assignment world), all I had to do was get someone to pick up the phone, and that person would be my on-site target. The problem
was I kept getting voicemail. Since this was the last of my shops in this area, I wanted to get it done so I didn't have to come back the next day.
I tried one last time from a pay phone. Ring number one. Ring number two. I started singing Sugar Ray's song "Answer The Phone" in my head. Ring number three. "Darn it", I thought,
"I'm going to get voicemail again"! Just as I was about to hang up, I heard a male voice say "hello" as if I just woke them up. Perplexed, I think to myself, did I misdial and call someone's
residence and wake up some poor person who works nights? So I said "hi, is this "Shady Palms"(apartment name changed to protect the innocent)? The unidentified male (UIM) voice said "yes". Not "yes, may I help you", or anything to start a conversation. Just "yes". So I took the lead and said "good, I'm looking for an apartment and wanted to see what you might have available". UIM answers back brilliantly with "uh-huh". Nothing else, just "uh-uh". I think to myself, I don't necessarily expect a sparkling conversation, but this is ridiculous!
I then told him I was looking for a 2 bedroom apartment ideally by the 15th of the month. UIM did tell me he had an apartment available in my time frame but did not tell me a thing about it.
I waited to see if he would invite me elaborate or invite me to come in. "Come on, work with me a little", I thought. Nothing, just a long pause. Since it was clear he wasn't going to ask me
to see the property, I offered up a pitch that I was sure even UIM could hit out of the ballpark--the fact that I would be in the neighborhood this afternoon, so could I see the unit he mentioned? UIM said he wasn't sure, they were supposed to have a party for one of the employees' birthdays. I did all I could do to keep from laughing into the phone. "So", I said to myself, "an employee's birthday would keep you from showing a new tenant an apartment for an entire afternoon? Corporate is going to love to hear that"!
Apparently UIM must have realized what he just said and then offered to let me come by at 4:00 as the party should be finished by then. "How very nice of you", I thought. I accepted and then
since he never did identify himself, I asked UIM who he was so I could ask for him when I came by. UIM was suddenly revealed. He said "I'm Fred, the Manager, see you at 4:00". Oh my goodness! This was the Manager?
Needless to say, Fred was as much of a dud in-person as he was on the phone. But I comforted myself with the thought that at least I had the opportunity to shop him. Now he could get the help he so desperately needed for his interpersonal skills! Mystery shopper saves the day!
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The next Coach's Diary column will be published on June 1st. The next issue of Perfect Work-At-Home Job Update will be released on May 15th. Your comments, questions and suggestions are welcome by e-mailing me at mysteryshopcoach@aol.com. New subscriptions are welcome by e-mailing me at mscoach@aweber.com.
Copyright 2002, Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing
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Copyright 2008, Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing
