Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1906-12-07
BEATING the AGENT
Now Cert Sold hls Vito q Sew.
Ing Machine.


they were making to buy home.
Il don't know about that" she said.
but my clothes and the clothes for.
you know who, will cost ready made
more than machine would cost. and
It's up to you to get the machine"
You can figure that out easily
enough. She said she had to have 1t
in one tone Of voice, and she said he
couldn't use the coin on hand in an
other tone of voice, and he balanced
|, the two tones and found he had to
think out a way of getting what she
| wanted.
Get me Blue Ribbon machine.
Bert" she told him when he got up
one afternoon earlier than his night
work called for.
Then he went out on tour Of In.
spection which took in three local
agents for the famous Blue Ribbon.
i've got custo mer for you," he
said to each ono, m fae agents. But
the price has III ~ lie rock bottom
Tell me VIII u lB'j sNy do"
In this way L. "a that there were
prices for the Blue Ribbon ranging
from an asking price Of $50 to rock
bottom price of $40.
But what commission will you give
me?" he asked of the $40 man.
'I'll give you five-spot," the agent
replied, looking Bert squarely in the
eye, when he saw that was the least
he could offer and still get the Gus.
toner.
1T doesn't make any difference who
the customer is, does it," asked Bert.
mot at ALL" said the agent, you
give me the customer, and at $40.
and the five Is yours"
We'll, come on with your machine.
and I'll take you right there as soon
as you can load 1t in your buggy"
said Bert.
He had weeded out the excess com.
mission, had raked out an extra five
dollars, and was feeling pretty good.
But when he introduced the agent to
his wife, with an announcement OF
the price as $40, he saw trouble ahead
in the way the agents jaw set.
"Ill take that five you promised me
now" Bert said, as the agent was
about to leave, after closing with Mrs.
Reader on terms of deposit and
trial of 60 days, at the expiration of
which the remaining $35 was to be
paid. :.
20, we'll settle that at the Office"
the agent replied, in the midst Of his
remarks to Mrs. Reader. -
"Well, I'll take that five now" said
Bert, as they stepped into the office.
The agent laughed.
aa'Whst 10 a56d aakssRe sfor?" ha
asked. "That was your WIFE
Sure, it was my wife that | sold the
machine to-" said Bert. "And that is
the reason why I can stop the sale
unless I get what you promised"
"Then she loses her five If the sale
stops" replied the agent, easily
IT I don't give the five, Mister
Man." said Bert getting ugly. the
sale stops and you can keep the five,
but I'll throw it down the back stairs,
long flight of back stairs leading to
hard cement walk!"
The agent thought a few moments.
do I get my five?" Bert asked,
inpatiently.
"rll tell you what Wen do, Mr..
Reader-we'll split the difference" the
agent, answered, taking out $3.50.
Nav, we don't split anything al
ALL" said Bert.
This is yours or nothing" the agent
replied, holding out what he offered
as commission.
See here, I'm losing sleep talking
to you, but get my five out of you
inside of an hour and a half In an
other way!" exclaimed Bert
I'D like to have you show me how
you'll do that, my friend" said the
agent. ITS $3.50 for you or moth
ing" .
"All right! You're on; I'll just lose
an hour or so of sleep to show YOU"
Bert said as he went out.
All the way down town Bert re-
volved a plan in his head, and so he
was ready to begin action as soon
as he located the general manager of
the Blue Ribbon Sewing Machine COM
pany. .,..
."If sell a machine for you at the
price of $40 will you give me a COM
mission of five dollars?" he asked the
genial manager
"Sure!"
"Will it make any difference wheth-
er it Is sold to Mrs. Jones OF Mrs.
Smith,"
mo difference at ALL" replied the
manager, smiling.
1T you promise me five, you won't
go back on your word, will your"
"Most assuredly you'd get your five,
young man." exclaimed the manager,
virtuously. THAT'S the way this Blue
Ribbon company does business. root
and branch! Our word is as good as
a bond!"
"Well, that's what thought but
your Belmont avenue agent promised
me a commission OF five dollars for
selling machine at that price under
the Same conditions, and when he
found 1t was my wife was selling
the machine to he baked on tho com.
mission--and here Is a receipt for
five dollars which I wish you would
fix up for me now"
Bert laid the receipt before him,
and the manager, after eiancing 1t
over, made him out new ono for ten
dollars.
On his way home from town Bort
STONED In at the Belmont Office and