I Made $ 2200

By: HelloGod

Volume 1 No.7

Monday July 7, 2008

After reviewing the pay structure with me, the general sales manager wanted to know if I was interested in the position they had open. My qualifications or credentials didn’t matter to the manager; they just needed salespeople. The manager said it would take a while for me to learn all the different models of organs and pianos. The store had a training program but it was mostly product knowledge. God had given me a gift when it came to books. Product knowledge wasn’t an issue, money was. I wanted to earn extra spending money for my vacation not start some new career with a poor paying prison job. I thought retail jobs were like prison. I thought, how hard could it be to sell a couple organs and pianos for six weeks? Just stick it out for six weeks, earn some bucks and leave.

It was my turn to inform the general sales manager of my decision. I looked at him and said, “It’s all right. My concern is how fast can I learn the products. He said most salespeople learn the product within a few weeks but he would be available to help answer questions for my customers. I said I wasn’t thrilled with their pay plan but I would try it out. Then I had to say something about my vacation. I couldn’t just tell the guy a lie. If mom found out, she would be disappointed. So I told the general sales manager most of the truth.

I don’t have a problem selling. I have a planned vacation though. Several months ago I planned a five-week vacation. Needless to say, his jaw dropped. Five weeks, he exclaimed! Yes, five-weeks. Where are you going, he asked? I’m touring the country. I’ll head for Reno, Nevada then into California, Mexico, Florida and back to New York. Sounds like fun, he said. I hope so, I said. With my next statement to him, only God could have prepared his heart for his reply. I said to the general sales manager. This is what I propose. I’ll start working here, learn the product and sell pianos and organs for six weeks. Then I’ll take my five-week vacation and when I get back, I’ll come back here and pick up where I left off, what do you think? He said, when would you leave? I gave him a date. When will you be back? I gave him another date even though I had no plans on coming back. Then he looked at me, smiled and said when can you start? Monday. Fine, see you at ten o’clock. On Monday you’ll meet the president of the company. OK, fine.

I walked out of the store, got in my car grinning. The wheels were turning. How much can I make in six weeks? Ah, I had a challenge, something I thrived on. Monday came. I went into the store and the president of the company walked out of a plush office with the general sales manager. After our greetings, the president asked me about my musical background. Then he looked me square in the face and said, “How did you convince Roger to hire you, let you work for six weeks and then take a five week vacation?” I smiled. The president said, we’ll have to see how this turns out then he walked away. I made $ 2200 in six weeks. I didn’t think it was bad because I was still green on all the different products. It was time for vacation. Smiling and waving goodbye to everyone in the store I walked out. Getting into my car I thought, boy am I glad that’s over. I hate being cooped up all day. What happened next? Tune in tomorrow.

The community outreach program by Chaaps International helped many children enjoy an old fashion picnic. Check out their video here Chaaps International.