Sometimes I wonder what my next article will be about, because frankly I never know what I will write about until I sit at the computer and start writing. Sometimes it is a subject that one of my readers asks me about, and sometimes it is about a current event. So in my thoughts, there must be someone that is feeding my brain with my thoughts of today. I feel deeply in my heart that "The Great Father" above is sending me a message, telling me what to write about. It just seems to flow as I write it and then after taking a  look at it, and moving a section around to another spot, I find that I have written another article for you to read. I really can't give you any other reason for it, because I haven't taken any classes in writing, nor have I really had the desire before to do so. So, as you read this article that I have for you today, be aware that it comes straight from this old man's heart ,with the source being whatever He wants me to write about.

There is one thing that I have had training in and so my  thoughts today, deal with what I do each day at my job, and how I go about it. Being in sales, I meet a lot of people and I get to talk with them about what is going on in their lives and in mine too. Many of my customers come back and ask  for me personnaly, because they know about me and what I stand for. I won't sell a customer something without finding out what he or she wants to do with it. Then I try to find out what other tools they have to go with it. In other words, I try to qualify that customer to what he or she needs according to what I have to offer them . I won't lie to them, nor will I try to sell them them with lots of promises about what that particular item will do for them. In other words I won't sell  just to be selling. That is because of my training both at home and at the job.

That customer, who walks through that door is there for you to assist, and he or she expects to be greeted as soon as they enter. Sometimes they will only want to look around, but sometimes they know what they want, and they want to get in and out as soon as you can get to them. But you, as the person that they look for, needs to let them know right away that you know that they are there, and that you will get to them as soon as possible. Respect that customer's privacy, and let him or her look around to see all the new items you have. Remember that the customer most of the time is there to check out what you have, so that they can let thier loved one know what they want for that special day in thier life. If they know what they want and are ready to pay for it and go, then take care of them and get them on thier way. Remember that thier time is just as important as yours. If they ask for advice, give it to them as per the experience you have with the product. Never tell them anything that you really don't know to be true. If you can't answer thier question, tell them that you will find out and let them know. If there is someone else there that can answer the question, go to that person and ask for help. The customer will respect you more for doing that. That is what I call "taking care of the customer".

There are many things that I, as a salesman, do not know about what to do with a certain tool or how to do a certain project, but I keep notes and when one of my older customers or one of my friends in construction come in, I sort of have ways of getting knowledge from them that I can relay on to the other customers. In other words, my customers help me sell to my other customers. Knowledge is only wothwhile  if you use it. Asking for that knowledge is another story. Make sure that the person that you are asking, really knows what he is talking about. Remember that once you pass this information on to the other customer, you are responsible for it.

I must say that I am really proud of the customers that I have had in the fifteen years that I have been in sales. There are many out there who started with the idea of it being a hobby and they are doing it as a vocation now. They are either making money for themselves or are using thier skills to make items for "We Care", and for that I am proud to say that I was a part of it. One such gentleman who built some wooden trucks and bulldozers and helped "We Care" with it as well as selling in several states is no longer with us, but I know that he will always be looking at us from his place with "The Great Father", with love for his fellow man. Another, who takes his time each year to donate his product to" We Care", does it out of his love for his fellow man too. So George and Kenny, I take my hat off to both of you for doing what you do each year. Giving to help another is a way of doing the work that The Great Father sent you here to do.

Now getting back to selling, the only thing left to say is this. Be honest with that customer. Be courtious with them, even though they might be going through a rough day. Protect thier privacy, by letting them know that it is ok to look around.. Be there to answer any question, regardless of what that question is. Remember that no question is silly. If they didn't need to know, they wouldn't be asking. Do what you would want a salesman do to you. Success in any job depends on your honesty and your sincerity. I wrote this because I know that with the present working conditions here in our city, there are those who will be taking new jobs in sales and I hope that the words I brought you today helps.

Until the next visit or until the next message is relayed to me by The Great Father, I bid you so long with this thought. Don't let any chance at life go by, for what if tomorrow never comes. Think about that until we visit once again. Uncle Ray

Ray "Uncle Ray" Day-----