Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-08
ALWAYS had an idea that selling be-

VII
/ ALWAYS had an idea that selling be-
hind the counter was cinch. Per-
maps II IS when you get on to the curves
OF the game, | am evidently not on TO
them' FOR life today has been just one
call-down after another.
was just rearrauging rack OF
ntuShes when woman with 4 little
haoS came into the department had
some brushes In my hand. so neckoncd to
her 10 come M To my end Of the coun-
ter, winch she did She wautd n cork
hlth mat, which was at the other end
OF inc department, SO | said. Come
along with mo. please" and marched her
arroS' To where they were | sold her
on" ana took down her name aud ad.
dress for delivery, then received the
money which was ci;hty-fve cents.
Thats the amount OF the first sale
ever made IN my life aud I was rather
proud Of myself. thinking | had made
2 good job of It Flip didn't think so
however
| had just returned to the brush raCh
20 finish Strengthening it when Flip
walked over to NC and said "Youns
man, as salesman YOU make a very
good plumber"
What do you mean?" I asked him
rather startled
you've never done any selling at all
have you?" he said.
mo; this is the first job | ever had,
| replied
"Didn't you ever do any selling fl
your fathers store? | think you told m,
he had one"
mo; dad would never let me-"
said.
Your dad was the wise guy. a
right" he replied
Say, Mr.. Phillips" blurted out. "tel
me what | did wrong. will you?"
I'VE want people 10 feel they are wei
come when they come to the store
don't we?"
"Of course" | admitted.
/ we want them to feel glad they have
come. and yet that woman with n l!ttl'
baby had first to walk the length Of th'
floor to YOU here and then you made hei
walk right across the Department."
/ Here | broke in: You don't expect M
to waltz across the floor to every on
who comes into the store, If went int
4 n store and the salesman pounced on m
the minute | got ineide--rd beat It -
That's all right" said Flip. "bu
there's happy medium. when a Gus
7
denty wanting something, walk towar,
her and let her see that you Ir,
approachable and want to serve her. AM
/ wouldn't Il have been n nice little court
esy if you had offered her a Chair, $
that she could have sat down with IN
baby? I'm n married man." Flip con
tlnued grlmly, "nnd [ know what
means to walk the floor with baby
and believe me. have every Sympath
with woman carrying kid around.
III | had given her chair | pro
tested. "she would have had to com
across to see the bath mats"
Flip pinched my muscles and said
"Why, YOU have got some strength
haven't YOU? DO YOU know | really thin
YOU would have survived the strain
YOU had carried that bath mat rlgt
over to her. of course, | don't know.
he continued sarcastiCally. but If an
one had asked me I should have said
was easier for a young husky ike 20
TO have carried "A bath mat across u
department than 1t would have been Il
that little wisp Of a woman to carry this
bir baby across to the bath mats. NeNt
ask n customer 10 tag along after yo'
unless Won are selling some article 5
heavy that you could not possibly carr
il to her---ur unless the e"ouS a'c III
different departmnt.
"To meet the customer halt way
considered the least we can do in maxim
business deals. TO meet the custom(
all the way IL still better
Gee, but Flip H. some snippy with III
help!