Evening all, I hope that this does not bore you, but today, while`st trying to sow seed, on ground that is far too wet, and endeavouring not to get my new Deere, bogged down, for some reason my mind was half on Atkinsons, and the many memories I have of them, their operators, the “factory” people, and the steep learning curve, and fun I had selling them.
Now in their day, they were a premium lorry, and I really “rated” the marque, and having decided that my future did not lie as a lorry driver, (Fodens were not good for my knees), however exotic the destination! I was excited to land the job as a “junior commercial vehicle salesman”, at 10pounds basic salary per week, plus, 10% commision on retained profit, in the “darkest Black Country”, at Old Hill, near Cradley Heath. I was overjoyed , my goodness, I could earn £1000 a year!!!
As a junior salesman, I would work for the Senior Salesman, who turned out to be the most incredible industry man, Stan Stannett What he had forgotten, I would be lucky to ever learn!!. He had ridden Speedway for Douglas, the TT for HRD, sold REOs, and been a factory tester for Guy Motors. I count myself lucky to have worked for such a fine man, and eventually we gained the nickname of “The Sorcerer, and his Apprentice”, around the Black Country, and my native Shropshire! Even today, in business I rely on things that Stan taught me, a most incredible man.
My first day, I was introduced to Stan, by “our” Director, Ray Roberts, a bust of Churchill on his window cill, and Lemon Tea, at 3o`clock, and the cut down Mk 6 Bentley on the forcourt. Our “sales office”, consisted of a shelf in the corridor, outside the Accounts office, very palatial!
My first question, “where are the Atki`s”, answer, “there are none! Here is the key to the shed down the road, the stocks in there, see if there is anything that you can sell, and report back at 17.30hrs”!!!
It took me 20minutes to open the b… doors!! In the gloom inside, I clearly remember the stock, 2 FF Austin dropsides, a TK petrol chassis cab, a, (without front wheels) D Series Ford, 3 JU BMC vans, (ughhhh), an FJK BMC tractor unit, a Mk 1 Land Rover, and , oh delight, a L1786 Atkinson 8wheeler, (in a rather care worn state). Guess which one I ,( eventually), got out into daylight!
The following day, after numerous fruitless telephone calls, I took that L1786 down the Birmingham New Road to “Teddy Smiths” (E A Smith), dungeon like yard at Parkfields, and returned to Old Hill, with his cheque in my pocket on the Midland Red! I was a Commercial Vehicle Salesman! If only I realised just how much I really had to learn,( do you ever stop learning)■■?
So that is how it started, but the learning was eventfull, the techniques to obtain stock,…elaborate, the dealing …you needed quick wits, and a head for maths, the techniques…imaginative, creative,conceptual!!! Looking back, it was raw, but the best grounding anyone could have.
I could go on, but I do`nt want to bore you, so I shall away to the Bollinger, and remember how to “steal” stock from under our parent garages eyes!! Cheerio for now.
