When I was 16, I needed a job and I wanted to work in only one place.
The local record store.
Technically, it was records, CDs, and cassette tapes. I didn’t apply anywhere else. I was determined to work there.
The store was only a few miles from my house not to mention working at a record store was the coolest job anyone could possibly have.
So, I applied. I interviewed. I got the job.
It was a “Mom and pop” operation with three locations in Southern California.
The training program consisted of picking things up from the other employees and the owner, Ron (who was incredibly soft-spoken and dressed like a substitute math teacher instead of a record store owner which I always found odd) teaching me how to ring sales on the register.
I also helped restock, arrange the cassettes alphabetically, and dust the tops of the records and CDs.
I was not a super-star employee but reasonably reliable and conscientious—I was eager to please.
One night, Ron, who lived quite a distance away from the store left a bit early and entrusted me to close up. There was less than an hour to go.
Then, a little before closing time, a customer walked in and asked to see the super special edition Rolling Stone 4-album boxed set. It was $400 and kept on an elevated shelf behind the cash register along with a few other pieces of rare high-ticket merchandise.
I pulled it off the shelf and the customer carefully inspected it and asked me if we took checks.
All I could think about was Ron, the owner, seeing how we (okay, I) had this amazing sale.
I eagerly told the customer that yes, we did take checks.
I took the check—and even said “no problem” when the customer explained that he didn’t have his driver’s license on him.
I’d been around long enough, I knew better. We always got a license number and expiration date—but ID be damned, I wanted that sale!
When I came to work a couple of days later, Ron brought up the sale of the Rolling Stone boxed set and I awaited my pat on the back.
Instead, he very calmly explained to me that this was a classic scam. This person knew Ron wasn’t at the store that night, took advantage of me, and the check was no good.
Needless to say, I felt like a total idiot. 😞
Sometimes when you want that “yes” so badly, you are willing to do anything for it: Lower your price, or ignore your intuition and make compromises on things you normally would not do. That desperation can be blinding.
Remember: Bending over backward for a “yes” can sometimes bite you back! 😉