Dont judge a Book

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I remember my first ever role where a company car was part of the salary package. I was 23 and excited. My boss said the standard was a Commodore and he would order one for me. I asked being 23 if I could select a car for similar value that I might enjoy driving more. He agreed and gave me a budget. “What are you thinking of getting?” “I am not sure but have three cars in mind. A Toyota MR2, A Honda CRX or a Mazda MX5.” I was single, these cars were sporty, cheap on fuel, looked great, all in the same "class” and all three new to the market, and I assumed were "chick magnets” Just what every 23-year-old bloke dreams of, best of all, work was paying for it. I had "made it” in my mind. “My father-in-law is the General manager of Honda Australia; let me get him to give you a call and have a chat to you.” “That would be great Lorry, thank you” I thought he might be able to add accessories or something to the package, in any case, I was going to be courted by the GM of Honda Australia at 23, imagine that. He called that afternoon. “Lorry told me you were looking at the new CRX? Have you test driven one yet?” “No, not yet.” “Why don't I organize with the local dealership for you to take one home this weekend, obligation free, drive it over the weekend and see how you like it.” “Really? “ My excitement was giving away my inexperience “Sure of course that would be great.” He gave me the name of the dealer principle and the address and I organized to pick up the car Saturday morning as we had a function Friday night and I could get a mate to drive me to the dealership so I could leave my old rattler at home. “Can’t believe they are going to give you the car for the weekend. “ My mate says as we pull into the dealership. “Yeah well my boss’s father in law is the GM of Honda Australia” I bragged, feeling important about my connections to people in high places. Being Saturday I was in shorts and a T-shirt and wearing running shoes without socks in the middle of an Australian summer. I walked straight over to the CRX they had on the floor and started to caress the bonnet. “Is that the one you’re taking home?” “I don't know.” "Hey, get your hands off that car!” It was a salesman about 100 meters away walking toward us. “We spent all morning shining those up. What can I do for you fellas?” “I here to see David.” “He's not working today, can I help you?” I could tell then it was going to get messy “I'm suppose to pick up a CRX for the weekend.” “Are you now?” “Apparently David knows about it.” “Does he? And have you paid for this CRX?” “No. The GM of Honda organized it with David.” Even as I was saying it I could see how unbelievable it sounded and my heart dropped. I was not going home with a CRX. The salesman looked me up and down “Yeah, nah… I can't help you I'm afraid, we don't give out cars over the weekend and David is not back till Monday.” “Look can you just call him please?” “Sorry mate, come back Monday.” He had sized me up and down and decided I was not genuine. On the way home my mate says “Are you going to tell your manager? Call him when you get home.” This was when mobile phones were just becoming a thing. They were brick size and most just had them fitted to cars. “I don't know his number, anyway it's not right to disturb him on a weekend and it was his father-in-law that organized it anyway.” “Would have been great to go out in a new CRX tonight” he said in a disappointed tone. “I was thinking of the beach tomorrow.” I answered equally disappointed. “Hey there's a Toyota dealer, want to stop and look at the MR2?” “Sure” “How can help you boys?” “Look, “ I said immediately defensive “My boss has given me the go ahead on a car, so forget the way I look, it's Saturday, I'm in a suit and tie Monday to Friday.” He looked amused. "Someone given you a hard time?’ “The Honda dealership” “Yeah well we're not Honda. What did you have in mind?” My friend and I looked at each other “An MR2.” I didn't want to say much more in case I said the wrong thing “Let me guess - you’re tossing up between the CRX and the MR2?” “How did you know?” He smiled, “Come on I'll show you the MR2, take it for spin, it's going to sell itself” I guess when you’re 23, about to drive your first new car, and it’s a sports car and you can get it now, all the pretense about doing your homework first goes out the window and this savy, experienced salesman knew it. An hour later I was signing papers to take the MR2 home. “My boss will deliver the first cheque to you Monday.” “No problems. Come back on Monday with the cheque and I'll finish up the rest of the paper work. Enjoy the rest of the weekend, I'm sure you will, it's a head turner.” Monday around 4 p.m. after I had finalized the purchase of the MR2, Lorry's father-in-law called. “How was the CRX?” “They wouldn't give it to me.” "What?” “David was not there and I don't think the salesman believed me when I told him you had organized it with David." “I'm sorry Lee, leave it with me and I'll get them to deliver it to your work this Friday.” “Don't worry Mr. Grace, I have already bought a car." “What did you get?” “An MR2.” “I can’t believe these incompetent people can lose a sale like that. Sorry you had a bad experience with Honda, Lee Please call me if you think of buying another car and I'll make sure next time we make it up to you.” I never found out what happened, and I never took him up in his offer but I am sure my age along with my T-shirt and shorts were the reason I was not sold a Honda that weekend. It's the old adage; Never Judge a Book by its Cover.