Page 351 - One Thousand Ways to Make $1000

“I will simonize your car for you for only $3.00, and I will do a real good job.
Right now I’m working on your neighbor’s car just down the alley a bit. I am
a student in Washington University and have Saturdays and Sundays free, of
course. Would next Saturday morning be O.K. to work on your car?”

There was no question that the car did need polishing and the chap was so
engaging in his manners—so Huntley told him to come around next Saturday
morning and he could have the job. Then he became curious about the boy’s
work. “Do you have many jobs such as this?” he asked. “Yes, I do,” the
student replied. “Every Saturday and Sunday I have jobs and also throughout
the week, during my free time. I would say that I average at least a car a day.
Right now I am in my junior year at Washington and I have paid my way so
far, with the exception of the first term, by cleaning and polishing cars. I have
my regular customers and they are always recommending me to their friends.
That’s because I do such a good job,” he ingenuously added.

“But how did you build up your ‘clientele’?” asked Huntley. “Just the way I
got the job to simonize your car,” answered the student, grinning. “I had
these cards printed, went along the alleys and wherever I found a man
cleaning up his car, I would present my card and offer to do a good job on his
car. Whenever I sold one man on the idea, I went to his neighbors and sold
them. I also went around to the offices and factories. Whenever I saw a man
getting into a car that looked like it needed polishing, I would step up and
give him one of my cards and a little talk about the kind of job I can do. It
seems to work all right because I always have enough work to keep me busy
and, as a general rule, several jobs booked ahead.

“Well, I’ll have to get back to my job down the alley—I promised to have it
finished by 4:30. I’ll leave a couple of my cards with you and if you have any
friends who want their cars cleaned and polished, I’d appreciate it if you
would let them know about my work. I’ll be around bright and early Saturday
morning to do your car. Thank you sir, for the job. You’ll be surprised when
you see how nice your car will look Saturday after it gets one of my good
‘rub-downs.’ ”

As Huntley said to his wife later, “How could you turn down a polite,