Anyone who knows me knows that I love the color brown. Maybe that's why chocolate is such a favorite of mine! I once owned a brown Porsche 944 that showed up in a blog about what's in a number. I never thought I could feel the same way about another car. I drove that gem for 10 years until I totaled it. I loved that car.
Saturday after my morning workout, I got a call from TLH Lee that he had a problem with his car, had taken it to the dealer, and needed me to pick him up. Now everyone knows that Lexus always has a loaner car for customers. His said, no, there was no loaner because of the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
So I drove to the dealer, pulled into the lot, and called Lee on his cell phone. "I am waiting for you outside." He said to come inside, and I said, "Nope, I will wait for you here." And I went back to making appointments.
Next thing there was a tap on my car window and it was Stan, the salesman. He asked, "Will you come in for a minute?" I told him, "Not today Stan, I am busy making appointments, plus I am in workout clothes!"
Then he said, "Dennis (the manager) really needs to talk with you." OK, so I went to Dennis' office, but he wasn't there. I went out on the showroom floor…and there it sat!!
A brown SC 430 with the top down, wrapped with a huge red bow, and a certificate with my name!
I exclaimed, "You painted a car for me, I love it!" But no, not a paint job… it was a NEW CHOCOLATE BROWN car with a honey tan interior!
My daughter Erica was there to share the surprise, snapping photos with Lee's cell phone camera. I still don't know how Lee and Erica kept this from me. Dennis had the car ordered two whole months ago, and Lee knew about it two weeks ago.
My wonderful husband wrapped this fantastic surprise around two very important and happy dates – his birthday on May 29, and our anniversary on May 30. We've been married for 14,244 days – yes, we always know how long in days, because each one is special. How long is that? You can find the answer here.
Lee, Erica, Dennis, and Stan were truly able to surprise me, and that's not easy. I should have suspected something, though. Lee has been asking me what car I want next, and my lease is not up for another 4 or 5 months.
I really did like the car I was driving - it's a two-door coupe and exactly right for me. I've had the identical Lexus SC430 – in black – two cars in a row. I was happy with the car, I just wanted it in brown. Several times Dennis told me the car was simply not available in brown. I would even have painted it, but was told I couldn't do that either, that painting would destroy the value…yada, yada.
After the big surprise, Dennis came over to me and apologized. He said our relationship has always been built on trust, and he had to fib about this. Not to worry, Dennis. Just about a week ago we were in the showroom with our friends Corie and Vic, who love cars, and they pulled out this perfect brown color swatch. Dennis didn't miss a beat and said, "Not available." If I had even gone to the web site I would have seen that they now make it in brown…but I was too busy and believed that gentle lie.
Special treatment really is what I got. Stan was on vacation this week, but he came in just for me and even dressed in BROWN. In the picture of Stan and Lee checking out the trunk, you'll see they are both in shades of brown, too!
So what does all this have to do with real estate? If we can find out what the customer wants and needs, there is NO selling involved. These guys listened, they took it upon themselves to order the car with no commitment. These guys got TLH involved to help with the excitement. They knew their customer and they went way above to give personal service.
Do you think that I am not aware of all they did, coming in on their day off, having all the paper work ready? They arranged to take my Treo and program it for the Bluetooth in the car so I was ready to go. Stan even programmed the GPS with my home address, and changed the presets on my radio to match my previous stations. THAT is extraordinary service.
How do you make your clients feel special?
We do get attached to vehicles. I drove a 2001 Chevy Blazer for 275,000 miles. It had become less than reliable and I knew I needed another vehicle but couldn't part with that baby. I gifted my auto repair shop with it. They drove it for another year. I take VERY good care of my vehicles.
Margaret! What a wonderful surprise!
Hi Margaret,
What a nice story and nice surprise. Two important dates so close together, and I looked up the date you were married, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone else. Congratulations to you both.
I sort of feel like Lenn said her her post about being attached. I have an old Lexus LS 400 I bought the first year they came out, 1990. People used to say to me "what kind of car is this?" They were brand new at that time. Well anyway, it now sits in my garage (never parked outside, the exterior looks almost perfect) and I drive something else, but I haven't had the heart to get rid of that car. I just decided last week I may donate it later this year. I'm still trying to get over my separation anxiety. It's the first time for me I felt this way about a car. Sure sounds like you loved yours! Enjoy that new one, it's a beauty.
Now THAT is a cool surprise, Margaret. And well deserved special treatment. Neat that someone had a camera to record the happy occasion. Does this mean you did NOT??
Happy Birthday to your husband, and Happy Anniversary to you both.
Jeff
Lenn, We do get attached to our vehicles. How wonderful of you to give it to your repair shop!
Colleen , Thanks for sharing my excitement.
Cheryl, You are so close. Please let me know what I can do to help. Lynda, My first Lexus was the 400 which I loved. Since I do not use the convertible, I liked the moon roof of that car.
Jeff, Shame on me for not having a camera. Remember..just ran up to dealer to pick up Lee or at least that is what I thought. My daughter was using his cell phone camera. Thanks for the good wishes. We have so much to be thankful for.
Thanks Thesa, Love your graphic!
BB,Y ou could never be in trouble with TLW. Happy Anniversary and I now know how many years for you two love birds.
Gloria, When do you want me to pick you up? Easy being married to this awesome man who is also my best friend.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LEE & MARGARET AND I WISH YOU MANY MORE
Happy birthday Lee.
What a sweet car, I have never seen a Brown Lexus. Nice!
Margaret, what a guy ! My husband always says, " Stop you're making the rest of us look bad "
P.S. I love my Lexus dealership. They are the best in customer service ! I sent my team there and said to watch how they treat you. That is how I want the MissyCaulkTEAM to be.
P.S.S. I emailed this to my husband .Tee hee
Margaret, this is the happiest posts I've read in awhile. Nestle and Hershey send their congratulations!
Don, You are right, this has been a good story and I am enjoying the car!
Frank, Lee and I thank you for the good wishes. I do love the brown.
Missy,It's easy for my husband to make the rest look bad. Did your husband reply to your email?
Thanks Dena, Hershey and Nestle. Happy is good! Cute photos...Great names!
Margaret,
What a wonderful surprise & your new car is beautiful! My hubby could never pull that off, he can't keep a secret. LOL! Happy Anniversary!
Venice, You are not quite in my neighborhood. Thanks for stopping by.
Suzanne, Never guessed that my husband could pull this one off. Watch out your hubby just might surprise you one of these days.
Jennifer,
Your daughter's wedding is more than enough of a gift. Enjoy every minute and congratulations on both milestones!
Margaret ~ What a knock your socks off car! I think I am in love! Your hubby is a keeper for sure...
Enjoy your new ride.
kk
p.s. I can tell you are a listing agent... :)
KK,
Now your comment really made me smile. How can I be anything else but a listing agent with this car?
I am in love with my husband and the car!! Both are keepers!!
Margaret......
I am so glad I subscribed to your blog!!
It is so nice to see you are loved by your husband so very very much....... AND to see the exceptional way those sales people served you...even fibbing about things to keep the special surprise under wraps!!
I get a nice warm fuzzy feeling about how you live.......(nothing weird though...hehehe)
=-)
Alexander, Hope you are enjoying my posts. Thanks for the kind words.
Allison Thanks, it has been quite exciting.
Monika, Thank you for the wonderful wishes.
We just came back from a delightful dinner with some wonderful friends and our daughter, Erica. This has been a very special anniversary!
Margaret...What a special guy Lee is! I love this story and will share it with Linda...or maybe not, maybe I'll just borrow the idea! Give Lee my best and congratulations!
Your friend...Jay
Jay, Glad your special Linda got to meet my special Lee this past year!
How is the Segway campaign going? The Great SEGWAY Giveaway (aka: Move . . . And Be Moved!) Hoping you have to give a lot away.
er ..I am proud of you for keeping the secret and allowing Dad to surprise me! Loved our dinner party last night with the special guest. You are the best!!
Teri, Thanks I love it!!!!!!!
Gregory, The real name of the color is "tiger eye". And I adore your honesty and know that a lot of people feel the same way. You have a very pretty black and brown dog.
Nice story. Thanks for sharing. I'm a "brown" person too. It's one of my favorites, especially for the stable things around me.
Gregory, It's still brown and I love it! Tell your pup that I never ride with the top down.
Judi, Welcome to "our" small group of brown lovers. It is one color that I never tire of.
Sheri, My wonderful husband is one of the main reasons for my success. I love making him proud!
You don't have to have a referral, please call any time.
Margaret,
I just don't have the time to check in on my Car Buffs Group anymore, or Active Rain in general much these days, but I wanted you to know that I read your post tonight and it brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely surprise!
I hope that my husband and I will see our 14,244 day anniversary, and will be as endeared to eachother as you and your TLH lee.
Jessica, Would you like to come to Baltimore and do some staging for me? Let me know if you are ever in this area. Your site is beautiful!
The way to keep that spark alive after 14259 days is ONE day at a time. Always remember who is important in your life! The time goes by quickly. I have as many tips on staying happily married as I do being a successful agent. Call me anytime...would love to share.
Margaret...
Oh man. YLH spoils you. I Love it and that is some car. Sa......weet :)
TLW...ROAR!
TLW,
ummm..spoiled is good after 14282 days..and TLH is also sa....weet!!
Margaret - this has to be one of the best stories I've heard in quite a long time. Lucky Lady. I do share in your passion for brown. My liing room is blue and chocolate brown and I have an audi A4 that is beige (didn't have chocolate brown...lol) with a tan top and tan leather interior.
Melissa,We brown lovers are in the minority. How many times have you walked into a home only to hear the buyer complain about the color?
I should post about my first new car experience, also with the color brown, many years ago.
Margaret,
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful moment with us. You have an awesome family! Make sure to hug them everyday!!!!
Laura, What an easy assignment.
And it's fun, too!!!
Laura, and fun too!
this is what happens when you mention previous blogs in the current one. you get me showing up to yap some more.
also, i love how you turned down the dog's wishes to ride around in the car because of the roof. would you really let a dog in your car? actually, maybe things have changed. you've let a permanent cat into your house...
my biggest question is this: why was i taking pictures with dad's cell phone??? i had an iphone. where was it? i am very concerned about this. maybe it was out of juice? what a bad day to have that happen. sorry we don't have better pictures!
<3
jamfruit, pepino
whoops sorry, that last one was from me. by the way, do you know i can post on here without typing in the weird fruit/etc names?
also, the link to what's in a number is now a dead link with an error:
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The requested URL /blogsview/2981http://activerain.com/blogsview/What-s-In-a-Number-?2981/What-s-In-a-Number- was not found on this server. avocado, cocoa
Apache/2.2.3 (Red Hat) mod_ssl/2.2.3 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 Server at activerain.com Port 80 avocado, cocoa