Bali
It has been a while since I have sent out a Rick’s Readables. Let me dispel a couple of rumors. You have not been cut from the mailing list. I did NOT win the lottery. I am still in Real Estate. As you have probably noticed the Real Estate “bubble” has busted and it has become a rather interesting time for real estate agents.
Since I have a little more time on my hands, I have got to tell you this funny story. I get a bunch of flack for driving a huge black old Lincoln. The ghetto sled, old man’s car and other terms have been mentioned to me from time to time. I always smile because little do people know that “the Link”, is one of the best cars in the world. Here is my proof: In 1997 this car listed for $43,200. The height of 90’s luxury and a car that mechanics say they perfected. (Just years 1991-97 by the way) I bought it for 11k in 2003 with 80,000 miles. The trunk can hold 7 full size real estate signs, 3 flyer boxes, 30 sign riders for the signs, a bucket of tools, yes, a 5 gallon bucket of tools including a sledge hammer and full size bolt cutter, (don’t ask) and a 1 gallon gas can. So this car is the perfect blend of Form and Function, Luxury and Lugging and Pleasure and Payments-none!
It is a little steep on the gas mileage though. I was feeling this crunch, as we all have, last month when I met Bali. I pulled into the BP gas station on M-37. It was late, about 11:15 pm. I had just left Barnes and Nobles after doing some book browsing. I pulled into the station. It was empty with the exception of the smiling Indian or Pakistani attendant. He smiled at me from the glass with his sparkling warm eyes and a mouth full of crooked but whitened teeth. He waived at me and headed for the door. I thought, oh no, here we go. I was going to pre-pay with a debit card so what does this guy want.
I was pumping the gas and he walked right up to me, just on the edge of the invisible personal space bubble, and said with his high pitched accented English, “Hi, my name is Bali and I love your car.”
“Oh, well thanks, I like it too.” I replied.
“aaahhhummmm, how much do you cost it?” he asked.
I was a little unsure of what he meant and clarified, “Well, I am not sure if it is for sale. What would you pay for it?” Classic Zig Ziglar sales tactic by me. Bali, then decided to check out the inside of the car. Get this, he walked in between me and the pump to get a look at the front seat, my door was open. I had to lean against the car to make sure we did not rub against each other. He is just smiling like crazy. I am thinking this is a total space violation and he could quiet possibly sit down in the car and shut the door.
As strange as this sounds, he turns to me with the kindest and friendliest look on his face and says, “I have an Accord, but this is a real car. I am a religious person. My daughter was born on Christmas, aha, you believe this?”
I say, yes, of course.
He continues, “I am very religious and I can tell you are good person. The car has a good feeling. I know these things. Can I buy your car?”
I thank him for the compliment and say, that I will think about selling it pretty soon.
He then says, “I work here all the time. Just come back. I will talk to my boss and I will buy the car. Mmmmmmm man, this is a nice car.”
This last line he says like he is looking over a thanksgiving turkey and hasn’t eaten in days.
“Oh, here is a scratch. I found a scratch.” Bali announces with almost glee.
I thought, now we have started the negotiating process and just smile a little bit to myself. “Well, it is quiet dirty and there are a couple of scratches but it is a good car.” I quip back.
“Yes, Yes, Yes, very good car. Good car. I will wash it for you. Come through the car wash. No charge. Come through. You must come through.” He says with that infectious smile I have come to trust now.
I say, “Okay, Bali, I will let you do this because we both love Lincolns.”
He finishes his tour of the car and runs back inside, his belly shaking and his vest unable to cover it. I smile again and get into the car and drive around back. Bali is using both of his arms to wave me in into the tire track. He looked like he was directing a 747 or something. Big smile Bali.
The car was washed and I now have a buyer for the “Link”. The perfect Real Estate car with fans from all over the world. If only finding a buyer for a house were that easy.