Is it me or you that is bumming us out?
The other day, I was at a Home & Garden Show in Petoskey, MI. I specifically wanted to talk to some plumbing contractors about water systems for the house. Northern Michigan has hard water, so I need to soften it up – just like me! I also want to install a reverse osmosis system for the kitchen.
The first “water” booth I visited was Culligan. I don’t know why, but I don’t have a very high opinion of Culligan. I remember when I had a system installed in our Park City, UT house years ago that I had a Culligan system removed and replaced with some other brand. There’s a vague memory of a hassle with the local Culligan people – maybe that is still lingering. Even though I have this Culligan “attitude,” I left my card for them to come by and give me a quote.
I proceeded over to one of the larger plumbing vendor displays and was questioning one of the men there about water conditioning and a flash hot water system. The fellow who was trying to help seemed to be struggling with his knowledge of the systems. I thought I would just take the 10 or 12 page catalog he had given me home and read it – but some other guy reached over and took it from my hands and said I couldn’t have it.
I guess it was the only one they had, but the manner in which he grabbed it from me didn’t sit well with me. I left that booth thinking – I won’t ever do business with them.
Leaving there, I stopped at a small booth that dealt only with water conditioning units. I asked the guy there – What’s the difference between what you sell and Culligan. He proceeded to give me an answer that didn’t answer the question – something around “you’ll get honest answers here.” I said fine, but you haven’t answered my question. He replied in an aggressive manner that he had answered my question and that he probably wouldn’t be able to do any better since I had an attitude.
This took me aback, but I said fine and started to walk away. I didn’t get very far when I stopped and said – what the heck just happened. I decided to go back and inquire further. Walking back up to the guy I said – “look, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I’m not sure what attitude you’re talking about.”
It was amusing to hear him say something about my “pro Culligan” attitude. At least that is what he heard and it had put him on the defensive. In fact, I was looking for a good reason not to go with Culligan – though that seems unfair since I can’t pin down my objection to them.
I was aware that I had entered this guy’s space with my residual attitude from the plumbing business I would not use – obviously some of that energy was picked up by this guy. So, I found myself working diligently to not only work through the aggression and attitude this was up on both sides, and also to learn about the water conditioning system this guy offered.
Here’s the deal – I’m looking to spend $2000 top $3000 on water systems. This guy sells them and I’m not partial to Culligan. Do you think we finally came into agreement? I don’t think so. Even though he spent 15 to 20 minutes answering my questions and even though I left him my card and told him I would like him to come by and give me a bid – 3 days later I’m left with a feeling that I’ll never hear from him. It’s a shame because that money is almost in his pocket.
As I continue to explore this whole thing, I wonder – Is it ME or YOU? Some of each I reckon!
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