A Matter Of Desire And Intention
I went to Toys R Us to buy my son a bike. I was very clear with myself (and with the Universe, and anyone else listening) that I had gone there to buy a bike. Not to buy a box with an unassembled bike in it, not to buy a bike that they assembled for me within 24 hours. A bike my son could ride as soon as I got it home.
And of course the store employees had very different intentions, like that of keeping the display model on display instead of selling it to me, which is standard procedure, ma’am. What if 7 other people came in and couldn’t see this bike? Then we couldn’t sell 7 more of them.
Huh? was my response. This, I said, is not my problem as a customer. This is YOUR problem. Open the box and build another one, quick! And let me take this one and give you cash money for it right now. Because I am right here, in the flesh, buying this bike right now. Those other mythical 7 people that Might Come In? Mythical. Is this a business built on mythical sales or real sales?
As I said, my intention was Very Strong. I was going to leave the store (located in Culver City, btw) with a bike. Oh, and I was going to do it in the next 10 minutes, too — so I wouldn’t be late picking up my kids.
I spoke to 3 different levels of managers, all in the space of 7 minutes, very politely, and with strong, clear intention, told them I wanted to walk out of the store with the fully-assembled display model bike, for which I was ready to pay full price — not asking for a special price, here — just the bike.
I almost — but did not — mention the critical phrases, Do you know what a blog is? Have you heard of social media?
Finally, the glimmer in Manager Mike’s eye — the softening of the face, the relenting to my relentless desire. I paid, ran out the door pulling the bike, stuffed it in my trunk and made it back just in time for the bell to ring at school. Whew!
Thank you, Culver City Toys R Us!! Thank you Manager Mike! I got just what I wanted! And I just wanted to express my gratitude.
Sep 23, 2009 @ 12:53:03
You are an inspiration! I have been in that Toys R Us and I am particularly impressed. In the future, I will deal with the excellent Manager Mike directly!
Sep 23, 2009 @ 15:06:02
I highly recommend it. And thanks — so glad I could inspire!
Sep 25, 2009 @ 08:06:32
Very well done! very well done! Thanks Manager Mike!