Casting a Winning (Fishing) Line

Offer a compelling reason for someone to grant your request and watch defeat transform into success. I experienced this first-hand at Walmart when I went in to buy the Berkley fishing line I use for my beading hobby. The only package on the shelf did not look new. It was half-taped together and the end piece was not fastened correctly, leading me to wonder if the product had been returned to the shelf missing a small amount of fishing line.

I didn’t want to pay full price for a package with missing product. I brought the box to the attention of the department manager at the cashier stand and after expressing my concern, asked if the store had a new box. Unfortunately, they did not. The manager also didn’t feel it was proper to sell the product in its mangled condition. He set it aside and I knew it was destined for the trash heap. I asked if he would discount the product rather than throw it away, as most of the product was usable.

I’m not sure how he came up with $10.96, a $4.00 savings – and more than I might have asked for had I been given the opportunity – so I agreed the price was fair. He made the sale and I got a good deal. If he had thrown it away, we all would have ended up with nothing. Instead, we both got what we wanted. This small victory brightened my day.

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.