Stephen Bly (1944-2011)
Copyright©1993,2010
The man who
called me on the phone the other night sounded friendly…maybe too friendly. It
was the old, “Hi, Stephen. How are you doin’? How’s everything in Idaho? How’s
the weather treatin’ the ranchers? Well, I know you aren’t thinkin’ about the
busy fall yet, but I ran across a deal and you came to mind. Have you got a
minute to hear about a truly great bargain?”
I took a breath and jumped right in. “I am rather
tied up. Let’s get right to it. What are you trying to sell me?”
“Oh, well,” he stammered, as though I threw him
off script. “Can I call back at a more convenient time?”
“I’ll be busy then too,” I insisted.
 |
| Dino Power air compressor |
He finally admitted he felt sure I’d want to
purchase his air compressor. I asked about the price, the quality. Then, I
discovered my long lost ‘friend’ worked for a telemarketing company. I
explained that a) I had no use for an air compressor, and b) I never buy
anything on the phone anyway.
(As a side note: A week later, I noticed the same
product at a warehouse store for $150 cheaper than the phone guy stated -- when
you added up the installment payments he emphasized). He had the nerve to try
to hornswoggle me.
