An Offer I Couldn’t Refuse

Starting my new business is all sweat with no monetary reward, so you can imagine my delight when I received an offer in the mail from my bank to give me $200.00 if I would open a checking account to go with my new business credit card. I had already opened the checking account when I got the credit card. This was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

My first task was to visit Caryn, the account manager who originally helped me, to ask her about transferring the money into my new account, irrespective of the fact that it was already open. And she would have, if only I’d come within the 30-day time period specified on the mailer. That would have been impossible as I received the mailer after 30 days had passed. I pointed this out to her and also how unfair it seemed that the bank would dangle this appealing carrot on a stick with no option to redeem when the bank wanted me to have the money. I tried several angles and felt Caryn was doing her best. However she could not override her computer program to input this special promotional offer.

After hearing “No” several times, I asked her if there was a manager available who could help me out. Caryn consulted with the assistant manager and the answer was still “No.” Not one to give up, I politely asked her who was next on the hierarchy and she said she would speak with the branch manager later that day.

It took a few days for Caryn to pass along the good news. Success! She asked me to bring in the mailer and said I could expect to see the money transferred within ten days.

Would you have stopped after the first, second, or third “No”? And if you had, how much extra money would be in your account?

Author/speaker Janet F. Williams is a high-end sales professional, sales trainer and coach for personal and professional development. She speaks on topics contained in her award-winning book “You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get” to businesses, networking groups, non-profits, book clubs and more. For more information or to buy the book, please visit: www.JanetFWilliams.com and www.GoodDayMedia.com.