Page 156 - IT'S A RUM LIFE BOOK TWO "BOSTON 1960 TO 1970"

I was regularly asked to undertake public speaking
engagements on their behalf all over the area.

On the odd occasion, I had been known to assist with the
opening of their new depots by helping Harry Thorne the
Managing Director, with the painting and gardening.

After countless years of personal contact between Fred and
Harry Thorne the new “regime” did not go down well with F
and T.
I might add that for us at the “pointed end” it was earth
shattering. I began to look to other avenues as none of us at
Firestone were enjoying this dictatorial attitude.

THE REACTION
The main thing that set us back on our heels was Harry
Thorne’s reaction to the new system. In consultation with his
senior managers they decided to send back for credit, every
Firestone tyre they had in stock in all their fourteen or so
depots!
They were determined to make the point that they did not
have to rely on Firestone. Further, they did not buy one
Firestone tyre for over six months and my income together
with that of Fred and the salesman in North Lincolnshire was
seriously depleted by our not reaching sales targets and not
receiving our normal six monthly salary bonus.
Needless to say we did not stay away from the Fossitt and
Thorne depots but continued with our normal weekly calls
giving support and after sales advice for their clients.

I also continued with my programme of public speaking
engagements for Fossitt and Thorne in South Lincolnshire.

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