My 10-year-old son bought a Ferrari last week.
Well, he hasn't paid for it yet, and he won't actually take possession for a couple of decades. But he made the decision. A Ferrari it shall be.
Some quick background: after a father/son bonding experience getting haircuts (not matching, FYI), we decided it would be fun to go look at cars that cost more than my first house.
As we entered the Ferrari dealership, the salesman greeted us with a warm welcome. To be honest, I half expected to be thrown to the ground, beaten silly, and interrogated by some former special-ops-commando-turned-sports-car-bodyguard. I gladly accepted the warm welcome instead.
Well, he hasn't paid for it yet, and he won't actually take possession for a couple of decades. But he made the decision. A Ferrari it shall be.
Some quick background: after a father/son bonding experience getting haircuts (not matching, FYI), we decided it would be fun to go look at cars that cost more than my first house.
As we entered the Ferrari dealership, the salesman greeted us with a warm welcome. To be honest, I half expected to be thrown to the ground, beaten silly, and interrogated by some former special-ops-commando-turned-sports-car-bodyguard. I gladly accepted the warm welcome instead.
I then had to sheepishly admit, "We're just here to fantasize a little. Is that ok?"
It was more than ok. "Hop in!" said the salesman to my son.
"Really?" blurted the boy excitedly.
"REALLY?" blurted the boy's father (although mine was more of an blurt of disbelief rather than an excited question kind of blurt).
"Really! Hop in!" our new best friend hollered as he disappeared into his office.
And so the 10-year-old with the new haircut hopped into the driver's seat of the $219,000 icon of speed, craftsmanship and luxury. The salesman reappeared with the key and handed it to the boy.
"Stick it in then push that button over there."
My heart began to race and my head began to spin. Did he really just tell the kid to start the engine of a quarter million dollar sports car? I simultaneously replayed the Porsche scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off while calculating how much money I could raise from the sale of everything I own in case this all went horribly wrong.
The engine roared to life. My son's smile almost outgrew his face.
That was the moment he bought a Ferrari.
I think I could write an entire book of lessons from this one memorable event. For the sake of time, though, I'll let you create your own lesson. Maybe it's about creating desire for your product or service. Or maybe it's about treating everyone like a valued customer, even if they don't appear to be in your current target market. Or maybe it's about the power of making a dream come true. You pick.
I'd love to hear what this story brought to light for you. If you've got a moment, leave a comment!
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Mark,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you met my good friend Mike Finneran. I worked with Mike foe several years, and he is passionate about what he does. (been selling cars here in Cbus for 30+ years). I could tell you many a story about the life of a car salesman. Many do not warrant the stigma attached to the profession. I count it a privilege to know great people like Mike.
Wasn't Mike, but nice to know there are others out there!
ReplyDeleteMark:
ReplyDeleteWhile somewhat unrelated, my "car" story deals with the element of trust in a customer and what that impact might mean for you. The supplier in my story was my brother who, back in 1969, had purchased a brand new Ford Mustang ( you got it ... chrome wheels and all). The customer in my story was "me", his teen-age brother, newly licensed in New York State at the time. The moment of "trust" came when my brother asked me to follow him as he drove a rental van ... and yes, asked me to follow in the Mustang. The moment was electric as you might imagine, but it wasn't until years later that I realized what blind trust he placed in me that day. We spoke about this years later, and he was surprised to learn just what an impact that moment had on me.
Trust in the customer ... it can last a lifetime!
Dave Lovetro
Mark,
ReplyDeleteI love how the salesman treated your son who in no way would be able to do anything (commission) in return.
It matters how we treat our customers and potential customers. We often forget about the people who observe how we treat other people. And of course,there is the ripple effect of those who hear how we treat people.
I recently made a decision not to return to a particular retail store based on a scene that I observed between management and another customer.
It matters how we treat everyone!
Thanks for the warm hearted story; it bears being used as an illustration.
Being a Ferrari and Sparkspace "Spark New Thinking" enthusiast, this is a Great Story! What a memory for you and your son to cherish!
ReplyDeleteP.S. - I am pretty sure it was a Ferrari in Ferris Buehler's Day Off, but I could be mistaken...
You're right. It WAS a Ferrari! I mixed up my 80's "Oh-crap-I-wrecked-dad's-expensive-sports-car" movies. I was picturing the car from Risky Business!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about creating memories for our kids, eh? I love this story. As parents, we don't know what's going to stick with our offspring that's why it's so important to seize the moment. Nice job for being brave enough to go in to the dealership and two thumbs up to the car 'representative' who treated you and your son like rock stars!
ReplyDeleteThat kindness only took a few minutes of time from the salesman but will be a memory that lasts a lifetime for both you and your son!
ReplyDeleteWow. You write so well! All salesmen should be like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed and amazed with sparkspace, and I hope I get to intern there in the fall. You seem like you would be very fun to work for!-Beryl Zhao