Audi loses sale to BMW

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

I'm amused (and not at all surprised) by the tale of the snotty Audi
salesman who couldn't be bothered to call back and therefore lost a sale.

In a previous life (1982), he worked for an FBO (fixed base operator) in
Daytona Beach, Florida. I walked into the office and announced that I had a
pocket full of money and wanted to buy an airplane. (Both true.) As amazing
as it seems, and after listening to YEARS of people bitching about the sad
state of general aviation, I was totally unable to get anyone to so much as
talk to me (let alone take the money) about the three Pipers the FBO owned,
which were sitting on the ramp directly in front of the office, with big,
red lettered "FOR SALE!" signs on them. I nagged them for almost three
weeks, and no one ever bothered to call me back.

On day 22, I rode back out there, walked to the other side of the ramp, and
bought a Cessna 150 for cash, just like I said I intended to. Private
owner. I still have the airplane.

Can you imagine what would happen if you walked into a Chebby dealership
and loudly announced that you had a pocket full of money and wanted to buy
a car? You'd be lucky to escape with your life!

Best Regards,

Mike Arman

P.S. Jury still out (WAY out) on moving to the next level. A number of
listers have said I should just buy an 86-7-8 5KQT and sell my 86 5KS -
sounds reasonable, but I've put a LOT of work into mine and don't like the
idea of doing ALL this stuff over again . . . but the jury is still out.
(No, I don't want to do the rack, radiator, rear brakes, windshield, fuel
pump, fuel filter, proportioning valve, all four windows, sunroof, door
locks, window switches, seats, A/C, climate controller, recirc flap,
muffler, control arms, bomb, door handles, trunk lock, CD-player, clutch
master and slave, brake master, alignment, wheel bearings and MUCH MUCH
MORE all over again PLUS the engine . . . it would be simpler just to do
the engine - I'm still not convinced I need quattro - anyway, the whole
thing won't make much over 200 HP when it is done, and that isn't enough to
eat the CV joints on a daily basis, even on a 2WD car.)