That's not what I said!!

[roblewis]

I was making some calls in Orlando on a company I had done business with in the past. They were a very large contractor and this was THE largest hospital construction job in Florida. I already had some equipment on the site, but it is customary to make friends with the GC so you can keep in their good graces and it often rewards you with some long-term rentals. This guy in particular either had a VERY bad hearing problem or a REALLY bad day.

I walked into his office with some calandars and pens, the normal giveaway for equipment companies and waited for him to complete his phone conversation. When he was done, he invited me into his office the rest of the way and asked me who I was with and a few basic questions. He proceeded to tell me that he was already setup with a company, consequently it was my former employer and he was renting equipment from a good friend of mine. As I told him that his rep was a friend of mine and that I don't blame him for doing business with him, and asking to be his 2nd call because equipment is very scarce (at the time) in Orlando. He proceeded to stand up and yell "get the f*ck out of my office, you don't ever come in here belittling your competition. Don't ever step foot on my job again!!"

Now the only worse words than "don't ever come back" from a GC, are the words "you're fired" from  your boss, which often come hand in hand. At that point, I tried to ask him what he thought I said but only to have him stand up and lunge from his chair as if to throw me out physically. I left and made the 120 mile drive home, my day was over and it was only 11am. The two hour drive home, in Disney World traffic no less, gave me a few ideas on how to fix the situation, so I called a friend of mine at the company and explained the situation. He told me that the guy was going on vacation and that would be a good time to go to the job trailer and drop some goodies and gave me the basics on what to leave: camouflage hats and contractor pencils. I bought them that day and went beck while he was gone with a quick note that I apologize about what he thought I said and I would love a chance to clarify at his convenience. He called me when he got back and we made good on the botched first attempt. He did end up renting from me, even if only as a second call. My friend thought it was hilarious and tormented me about it often!!!

[neshthompson]

Great story Rob. I'm intrigued, what on earth did this guy think you were saying?

[roblewis]

After our reconciliation, I think he thought I was talking badly about Sunbelt and the rep (something I still will not do publicly). He turned out to be quite friendly once we got the ill-timed first attempt out of the way!