• 6/24/2007 10:00:00 PMFireworks - Day 3James and I spent the night in the tent.  There were more street racers again last night. Little cars with expensive little engines that make a lot of noise.   Around 11:45 PM, the police put an end to their fun.  I saw them arresting someone and detaining some others.  They had one of the exits blocked off.  During the event, I saw other street racers come into the parking lot  When they saw the lights and their friends with the police, they turned around and left as quick as they came.

    Gary and Jane dropped off a very nice 5000 watt Honda generator this morning.  It is quiet and has a large gas tank so I won't have to fill it as often.  Plus it has wheels so I won't throw my back out moving it into and out of the tent each night.  Thank you very much!

    I learned a little something about marketing today... it works.  I have always hated being sold to.  Some sales person comes up and makes their pitch and (depending on the sales person) it can be very annoying.  Today a customer came in  looking for the Big Timer.  It is the 2nd largest assortment we have and sells for $99.99.  It was an easy sell because I didn't have to do anything.  The customer knew exactly what they wanted when they walked in.  I glanced over at Peggy to show her my excitement at such a large sale.  She motioned that I should suggest a large fountain as a closing finale for their fireworks show.  So I pointed the customer to the fountains, explained them a little and suggested it would be a nice way to close the evening....  He bought one.  Total sale was $157.00.  

    Later in the afternoon, another customer came in just to look.  I began to explain some of the fountains and I pointed to one that was one of my favorites.  The problem was that there are over 60 different products in the tent and I got confused as to which one I was pointing to.  It didn't matter, the customer bought the one I pointed to.

    So here is the lesson I learned: The power of suggestion, in the hands of the wrong person can be very dangerous.  A person with good salesmanship is probably worth their weight in gold.  There is no substitute for a person with a good testimony and who can tell it well.

    Joel and Denise stopped by today and I explained what I learned from the tent.  Joel asked which fountain "really" was my favorite so I pointed to the correct one this time.

    Here is short story of another blessing that I had not counted on:  I was speaking with Peggy about the types of people who come in as customers.  Generally they are families from the immediate area and so far, most of them have been extremely polite and respectful.  The words were not even out of my mouth when a boy whose dad had just purchased something, ran back into the tent and put his change in the donation can.  He looked at me with a smile and ran out.  Here is a young boy who is learning from early on that there is joy in giving.  It is also a confirmation for me that good people are everywhere.