The Salem Leader
Educationally Speaking
Justin Harter
03/16/09
How I Got Caught Stimulating the Economy
Recently, I got mistaken for a shoe salesman and a car dealer. It all started a few months ago when I decided to buy a new car. And, evidently things came to a boiling point when I decided to buy new shoes.
The car story involves me going to an Indianapolis-area Toyota dealer. Avid readers will remember that I got burned on the used VW Beetle that I bought. It wasn’t even a lemon -- it was already sour lemonade. So, I went back to what I knew worked and bought a Toyota Yaris. I was told that newer model Toyotas require regular oil changes and other maintenance every 5,000 miles.
So, my check engine light came on as expected at 5,000 miles telling me to replace the oil. Since that requires things like skill and a funnel, I took it to the dealer. I soon realized two things. First, even when they say things like “bumper to bumper warranty”, that excludes things they know will need changing -- namely, oil. I didn’t expect a free oil change, but I did expect it to cost no more than a trip to a Jiffy Lube. Turns out, an oil change is the only thing keeping the car business afloat these days. $35 for an oil change, filter and tire rotation seemed a bit much. I probably could have taken the air compressor to the oil filter and made it last another thousand miles.
The second thing I learned is that car salesmen have absolutely nothing to do in this economy. Frankly, the number of salesmen standing around the showroom was a little like watching bears circle a sandwich. I’m guessing their general job duties now require them to hold you down while the service mechanics take your wallet in order to pay the light bill.
While I was in the showroom, waiting for my car, the one customer in the whole place singles me out as the guy he wants to ask question. He walked over politely and said “Excuse me, do you know if this car has an optional sunroof?” I looked at him and politely said I didn’t work there, while a couple of the sales associates looked at me either like they hated me or admired me for somehow attracting a customer.
A similar incident occurred just a few weeks ago when I decided it was time to buy some new shirts. Some of the shirts I still wear today were being worn when I was still in high school. So, I went to the outlet mall in Edinburgh. While I was there I naturally moseyed around the shoe store. I enjoy buying shoes for reasons I can’t even explain. It’s almost like a nervous tick.
While I was at the shoe store I found a pair of black leather shoes on sale for 60% off. I pulled the box off the shelf and wandered up the checkout counter where I waited patiently for the clerk to finish helping another customer. While I was standing there, an eight year-old boy walked up to me, tugged at my jacket and said, “Do you have any Velcro shoes?” Ordinarily, I would not have been swayed by an eight year-old boy confusing me for a shoe salesman. After all, I was holding shoes and standing next to the cash register. What caught me off guard is that I gazed past the boy’s head and saw his mother and father at the other end of the store nodding approvingly. Like they thought I was a shoe salesman, too!
I was concerned for the safety of our economy at this point because it’s one thing for an eight year-old boy to confuse me for the guy in charge. But, adults? I was still wearing my coat and holding on to three bags from three other stores. I don’t like having to try to look like a consumer.
Regardless, it’s become apparent to me that the people of our nation evidently look to me to tell them what to buy. I’ve been caught twice now trying to stimulate our economy with my car and clothing purchases, but I’m evidently needed elsewhere -- like behind the counter.