Once upon a time in Florida, a young man from Nebraska was seeking employment. He had a knack for sales and decided to try his luck at a large department store that offered everything under one roof.
The manager of the store interviewed the young man, asking if he had any sales experience. Confidently, the young man replied, “Yeah, back in Omaha, I was a salesman.” Impressed by his enthusiasm, the manager decided to hire him and said, “You start tomorrow. I’ll come down after we close and see how you did.”
The young man’s first day on the job was challenging, but he persevered. After the store closed, the boss arrived to evaluate his performance. Curiously, he asked, “How many customers bought something from you today?” The young man sheepishly replied, “Just one.”
Perplexed, the boss inquired further, “Just one? Our salespeople average 20 to 30 customers a day. How much was the sale for?” The young man confidently responded, “It was a sale worth $101,237.65.” Astonished, the boss couldn’t help but ask, “What on earth did you sell?”
With a smile, the young man explained, “First, I sold him a small fish hook. Then, I upsold him a medium fish hook, followed by a larger fishhook. Sensing his interest in fishing, I convinced him to purchase a new fishing rod. When I asked him where he planned to go fishing, he mentioned the coast. That’s when I realized he would need a boat, so we went to the boat department and I sold him a twin-engine Boston Whaler. However, he expressed concerns about his Honda Civic’s ability to tow the boat. Seizing the opportunity, I guided him to the automotive department and sold him a powerful 4×4 Expedition.”
The boss was flabbergasted and exclaimed, “A man came in here to buy a fish hook, and you sold him a boat and a truck?” Amused, the young man clarified, “No, the guy actually came in to buy tampons for his wife. I simply suggested that his weekend plans were ruined and that he should go fishing instead.”
In this amusing tale, the young man’s ingenious sales technique turned a simple purchase into a grand adventure. His ability to understand the customer’s needs and go above and beyond expectations is what sets him apart as a great salesman. So, the next time you find yourself in a store, remember this story and the power of a skilled salesperson.
