You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by lynn

what was the last year you could order a 454 in a chevelle?

1975.

K

[67since67]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

1975.

K

I stand corrected sir!

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

One of the happiest moments in my life is associated with this car.

I was working for Lanier Business Products as a salesman. Had never sold before. The manager who hired me saw something in me. And he was right. For the 24 months I worked there I was either the #2 salesman or the #1 saleman in our district (out of 50 other salesmen).

I got friendly with my manger. He invited me to his house for dinner. Afterwards he told me that I should leave Lanier and find a product wehere I could make some real money. He gave me a card for a headhunter who specialized in placing top salemen.

I met with him and he asked me would I be willing to take some risk for a big payoff. Being 30 and divorced - why not. He introduced me to a man who wanted to start a new business in an established market - buying, selling and leasing new and used IBM computer equipment. This industry was done over the phone. His idea was to do it in person just like IBM saleman did of which he was a former. The territory would be NY State. Living in Syracuse at the time ment the NY State Thruway: Albany to Buffalo. I would be calling on Banks, insurance companies, manufacturing concerns - any company that had IBM mainframe equipment. It worked because IBM would accept any computer device they had maintained. All we would do is change the location.

My only requirements were a company car nand a 25% commission rate - no salary. He agreed to rent one for me. Some POS Avis car. And off I went. Making appointments on the phone to introduce myself and our company. Then going out into the field.

Like a duck to water. Within 6 months I had generated $150,000 in profits (25%) was mine with another $250K in the wings. I asked him about replacing the rental with something better suited for my needs - taking CFOs and IT VPs out to lunch. He told me to look at new cars. I happened to stop at my local Chrysler dealership and this car was on the showroom along with a "K" car which was a smaller version. I thought that one for me and this 5th Avenue for Ed as he drove an old beat up Audi.

I met Ed at the dealership and explained my plan to him. He turned to the salesman and said; " don't you agree a successful saleman should drive a nice car?" "Of course he should." "Well - that's the one I want for Lee" pointing at the 5th Avenue.

Tears of Joy. That's what I had driving that car home for the first time.