The Little Ol’ Couple from Pasadena

Stanley Paterson began selling cars in 1924. His first sale, Henry Ford’s Model T, is now a dim memory. Although Stanley is retired from active selling, he has conducted over 1,000 meetings on selling cars and trucks across the United States.

I will never forget the day a couple from Pasadena came to our dealership, located south of Los Angeles, to select a car. After looking at a few models, they settled on a particular car and told me to hold it for them for a few days. The next day, their son stopped by to look at a few cars. He told me that it would be highly unlikely that his parents would ever buy the car and suggested I put it back on the lot.

A few days later that car was sold. The next day a car stopped at the dealership and dropped off the couple from Pasadena. They came in and told me, “We are here to buy the car we looked at the other day.” I told them about my discussion with their son and offered to look around for another car.

They were disappointed and I heard the husband say, “Come on, let’s go to the new dealership downtown and we’ll buy from them.” I felt so badly for them that I offered to drive them to the new dealership and they accepted. After driving about three blocks, I heard them talking in the back. The wife said, “Gee, this is a comfortable car.” Then he replied, “It’s a nice ride, yes.” She replied, “It’s just the right size for us.” After five blocks, they told me to turn around and drive back to the dealership. They bought the car.

When you go out of your way for people, they will go out of their way for you.