[SEL] Dealing Etiquette

[Alan]

Bummer when you run into someone like that.
It must hurt more because you have dealt with him in the past.
I used to work with a guy like that.
We made a deal for me to buy a set of duel semi tire chains at his quoted price. 
I wanted to drive to his place right after work and do the deal.
He just told me, "No, I will bring them tomorrow."
He called someone that night and got more for the chains.
Honor meant nothing to him.
This was a man that would eat his lunch every day in one area just because it was 
a handy place to twist up a bunch of scrap wire into a tight bundle that would fit in 
his lunch box.
 
At the 1999 Buckley, Michigan show I ran into a man named Clarence Towne. 
He had a c. 1911 Cushman model 21 type X 1 1/2 hp TG engine for sale and 
he told me I could have it for $300.
I told him I would be back within three hours because I had to make a run to the 
credit union for the money.  He said the engine was mine.
I was back there with the cash in just under two hours and there were two guys 
looking at it. 
 I went to hand Clarence the $300 and one of them pushed my hand away 
and told Clarence he would pay $600 for the engine.
Clarence said, "No, and the engine is his for $300."
Then the other guy pulled out a wad and counted out $600.
He held out $300 to Clarence and said, "For the engine."
He held out $300 towards me and said, "Take it and walk away."
 
I just laughed, pushed his hand away and handed my $300 to Clarence.
I told those guys that new money comes around all the time but they 
aren't making these engines any longer.
 
It was really a sad day when Clarence died several years later.
 
Alan in Michigan

--- On Sun, 5/24/09, Mark Shulaw <frappi at wcoil.com> wrote:


From: Mark Shulaw <frappi at wcoil.com>
Subject: [SEL] Dealing Etiquette
To: sel at lists.stationary-engine.com
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2009, 11:55 AM


Hi All,
  What ever happened to a little trading or dealing etiquette? When I 
came into the engine hobby back in the late 70s there was a few 
unwritten rules that everyone seemed to follow. #1 was, Never 
interrupt a negotiation in progress.
#2 If a price is mutually agreed to the deal is done, neither backed 
out both honored the deal. These were amongst the top of the unwritten rules.
Heres what set this question in motion. Friday I was talking to a 
fellow that I buy engines from occasionally (Nationally known US 
engine parts dealer fellow who shall remain nameless) and he told me 
of a engine he got the other day, It was for sale. I asked for a 
price and he quoted and after a few minutes of discussion of the 
engines condition I accepted the offer he made without dickering the 
price. It was a fair price and when a price is fair I do not like to 
dicker. Well I got the rug yanked out from under me. Remember he 
quoted me the price and I accepted that price. Then he called me 
yesterday to say he got a "Better offer then Mine" from another 
fellow and he accepted it. Needless to say I was a little browned off 
to say the least. First I told him was I had not offered the price 
that was agreed to, He had offered the price I accepted.  And that I 
had thought the deal closed. He didn't even give me the insulting 
courtesy of a call for a second chance.
  Now when I offer someone a price and they accept it, that's it the 
sale is complete pending payment in a reasonable time period as they 
say. I do not yank the rug out from under them. What ever happened to 
integrity in engine dealing? Is everyone just throwing their word and 
honor out the window now? Its been getting worse for a few years 
now.  Its almost like there is no honor in dealing any more. Like a 
mans word means nothing.
  Also these last few years theres a growing problem of people 
interrupting a deal in progress to butt in. Used to be the etiquette 
was if two people were dealing you stayed out of their negotiating 
till the dealing fell thru  then you could start to deal,  Or walk 
away if they come to terms. YOU NEVER BUTTED INTO the middle of 
negotiations in progress! The other fellow was there first. Did not 
matter if you would pay a higher price then was being negotiated!
  What's the matter, Am I wrong now a days. Do I need to throw the 
old unwritten rules-integrity out the window and go ruthless?    Mark



For those passed we remember this Memorial Day.

Mark Shulaw
454 Co. Rd. 33
Bluffton, OH. 45817  USA

Frappi at wcoil.com / 419.358.5206  Home / 419.516.2996 Ver. Cell.
Hobby Collector and Dealer in Maytag Multi-Motor Engine parts.
Check out the Maytag Collectors Club web site   www.Maytagclub.com  

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