Comments on: The Best Salesman in the World http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/ Personal finance that makes cents. Common sense advice on topics from high interest savings accounts, frugality, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, how to get out of debt, money management and more. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:48:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: EQ http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-173868 EQ Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:35:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-173868 How do I get that peeler? I want one.... MAN - that IS a good salesman! How do I get that peeler? I want one….
MAN - that IS a good salesman!

]]> By: sfordinarygirl http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-160127 sfordinarygirl Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:51:04 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-160127 I bought his vegetable peeler while on vacation last week in NYC. It's a multipurpose tool - it can shred vegetables into tiny slices, peel the skin, make interesting carrot shapes and thin juliened carrot/potato slices. For $5 you don't necessarily get a food processor but you get several kitchen tools in one. Simple and clutter free. I bought his vegetable peeler while on vacation last week in NYC. It’s a multipurpose tool - it can shred vegetables into tiny slices, peel the skin, make interesting carrot shapes and thin juliened carrot/potato slices. For $5 you don’t necessarily get a food processor but you get several kitchen tools in one. Simple and clutter free.

]]> By: Andy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-148007 Andy Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:09:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-148007 I really enjoyed reading this profile and the VF article. Never underestimate who you see and appeareances are not all they seem. Included a linkback in my weekly roundup I really enjoyed reading this profile and the VF article. Never underestimate who you see and appeareances are not all they seem. Included a linkback in my weekly roundup

]]> By: irina http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147581 irina Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:00:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147581 I am a balloon artist in Miami, Florida. When I started, I twisted balloon art on the street. I made good money just in tips and was profiled in Reader's Digest. And, yes, I pay taxes on all my cash earnings. I saw that first comment that asked about taxes! LOL. You do have to have a certain personality for this line of work. But if you can do it, it awesome way to raise cash fast. Now I don't even work on the street, I mainly work at private and corporate events at $220-300 per hour. But if needed, I still can go and twist balloon art on the street and earn more than I ever earned per hour when I was a PR executive. Here http://is.gd/2ics I describe in detail how to raise cash on the street. :-) I am a balloon artist in Miami, Florida. When I started, I twisted balloon art on the street. I made good money just in tips and was profiled in Reader’s Digest.

And, yes, I pay taxes on all my cash earnings. I saw that first comment that asked about taxes! LOL.

You do have to have a certain personality for this line of work. But if you can do it, it awesome way to raise cash fast.

Now I don’t even work on the street, I mainly work at private and corporate events at $220-300 per hour. But if needed, I still can go and twist balloon art on the street and earn more than I ever earned per hour when I was a PR executive.

Here http://is.gd/2ics I describe in detail how to raise cash on the street. :-)

]]> By: Another Anne http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147478 Another Anne Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:49:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147478 The Vanity Fair article makes clear that his wife is "of independent means" and that the Park Avenue apartment is hers. The $200/hour ballpark sounds great, but doesn't account for his overhead. Most significantly, he has to buy the peelers from the manufacturer in Switzerland. Not to knock the guy--he's fun to watch and it certainly looks like hard work--but I'd find it hard to believe that he's getting rich selling peelers. The Vanity Fair article makes clear that his wife is “of independent means” and that the Park Avenue apartment is hers. The $200/hour ballpark sounds great, but doesn’t account for his overhead. Most significantly, he has to buy the peelers from the manufacturer in Switzerland.

Not to knock the guy–he’s fun to watch and it certainly looks like hard work–but I’d find it hard to believe that he’s getting rich selling peelers.

]]> By: Mr. Obvious http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147431 Mr. Obvious Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:49:30 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147431 The Vanity Fair article is not quite as flattering...he has no license...he is "moved" by the police almost daily...he employs a panhandler as "muscle"...the Park Ave. apt is not his, but his wife's. He works a cash business. Somehow I doubt that he pays taxes.... The Vanity Fair article is not quite as flattering…he has no license…he is “moved” by the police almost daily…he employs a panhandler as “muscle”…the Park Ave. apt is not his, but his wife’s.

He works a cash business. Somehow I doubt that he pays taxes….

]]> By: Michelle http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147399 Michelle Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:28:39 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147399 @SeanC: Hope there's free shipping on that! @SeanC:
Hope there’s free shipping on that!

]]> By: Elaine http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147375 Elaine Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:38:46 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147375 I've passed by this guy for years. I just thought he was some street eccentric doing his own version of performance art! I'll stop next time I see him. I’ve passed by this guy for years. I just thought he was some street eccentric doing his own version of performance art! I’ll stop next time I see him.

]]> By: plonkee http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147336 plonkee Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:43:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147336 @John: You're right, it's no longer a word in common usage in my neck of the woods either. Although I do hear <em>graft</em> occasionally. @John:
You’re right, it’s no longer a word in common usage in my neck of the woods either. Although I do hear graft occasionally.

]]> By: Sean C. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147332 Sean C. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:26:41 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147332 You can buy these on ebay for $3.25 plus shipping --- just look under "carrot peeler." You can buy these on ebay for $3.25 plus shipping — just look under “carrot peeler.”

]]> By: John Egan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147265 John Egan Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:57:45 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147265 Mary... Thanks for the clarification. I never meant to imply that Ades was a cheat - nor did he come across that way in the article. In fact, he seemed to be more a typical street-vendor as found in London's Portobello market. I was looking for the reasoning behind the word 'grafters'. I lived in England for several years, married a British girl and have a British mother. I'd never encountered the word 'grafter'. However, in Britain, oftentimes language usage can be popular in one locale and not used 5 miles away in the next town.(And I do admit to encountering new words periodically). Thanks again.... jegan ;-) Mary… Thanks for the clarification. I never meant to imply that Ades was a cheat - nor did he come across that way in the article. In fact, he seemed to be more a typical street-vendor as found in London’s Portobello market. I was looking for the reasoning behind the word ‘grafters’. I lived in England for several years, married a British girl and have a British mother. I’d never encountered the word ‘grafter’. However, in Britain, oftentimes language usage can be popular in one locale and not used 5 miles away in the next town.(And I do admit to encountering new words periodically).

Thanks again….

jegan ;-)

]]> By: Shirley http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147262 Shirley Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:22:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147262 I would definitely buy one of those peelers, because of his presentation and the quality of the product. I think $5 is nothing for a good kitchen product that you use constantly. In my opinion, this fellow earns his money. He's there doing his job day in and day out. He's not just sitting there behind a table with some peelers spread out on it, half heartedly answering a question here and there. I found his presentation charming and entertaining. I would definitely buy one of those peelers, because of his presentation and the quality of the product. I think $5 is nothing for a good kitchen product that you use constantly.

In my opinion, this fellow earns his money. He’s there doing his job day in and day out. He’s not just sitting there behind a table with some peelers spread out on it, half heartedly answering a question here and there. I found his presentation charming and entertaining.

]]> By: Mika http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147247 Mika Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:15:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147247 The peeler has lasted me a few years and is as sharp as ever. I don't understand how, it just is. Definitely worth the $5 (I barely ever pay more than $1.99 for little kitchen gadgets, and I currently have about four). Ades has also has been featured in The Sartorialist blog for his fine custom-tailored suits. So Ades is living the life -- maybe not so frugally as many of us here would prefer for ourselves if we made $200/hour. Grafter, magician, laborer...the point is an honest days' worth of hard entrepreneurial work, even if it means sitting on a dirty NYC sidewalk, can get you as far as a Veuve Clicquot and an apartment on Park Avenue. The peeler has lasted me a few years and is as sharp as ever. I don’t understand how, it just is. Definitely worth the $5 (I barely ever pay more than $1.99 for little kitchen gadgets, and I currently have about four).

Ades has also has been featured in The Sartorialist blog for his fine custom-tailored suits. So Ades is living the life — maybe not so frugally as many of us here would prefer for ourselves if we made $200/hour.

Grafter, magician, laborer…the point is an honest days’ worth of hard entrepreneurial work, even if it means sitting on a dirty NYC sidewalk, can get you as far as a Veuve Clicquot and an apartment on Park Avenue.

]]> By: plonkee http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147246 plonkee Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:03:08 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147246 Mary is right. In Britain grafting is a synonym for working. Which makes sense because this guy is English. Mary is right. In Britain grafting is a synonym for working. Which makes sense because this guy is English.

]]> By: Erica http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147240 Erica Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:53:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147240 It's incredible! The same peelers are sold all around Italy at every country fair! Sellers are very good, a lot of people stop to listen at them at every show, me too! It’s incredible! The same peelers are sold all around Italy at every country fair! Sellers are very good, a lot of people stop to listen at them at every show, me too!

]]> By: chris franz http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147231 chris franz Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:07:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147231 I bought one from this guy! cool. I bought one from this guy! cool.

]]> By: Mary http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147221 Mary Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:36:47 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147221 John, "grifters" isn't the right word. Ades is no conman or cheat. "Grafter" is a British term, originally broadly applied to manual labourers rather than street pitchmen. See <a href="http://www.phaidon.com/Default.aspx/Web/colin-jones-grafters-9780714842530" rel="nofollow">Grafters by Colin Jones</a> and <a href="http://www.gumtree.com/london/75/28194975.html" rel="nofollow">this current ad for a labourer</a> who calls himself "a decent hard grafter". But the word has also been applied to street pitchmen (see <a href="http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=43874&forum=192&66&start=30" rel="nofollow">this magic forum discusion</a> as well as <a href="http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ntopic13728.php" rel="nofollow">this one</a>). I've also seen it applied to <a href="http://www.whimsy.org.uk/circus.html" rel="nofollow">gamblers</a>. So the term has mutated somewhat: on the one hand, even today, workingmen can brag of being honest grafters, but on the other hand, there's something pretty slick about the pitchmen known as grafters. John, “grifters” isn’t the right word. Ades is no conman or cheat. “Grafter” is a British term, originally broadly applied to manual labourers rather than street pitchmen. See Grafters by Colin Jones and this current ad for a labourer who calls himself “a decent hard grafter”.

But the word has also been applied to street pitchmen (see this magic forum discusion as well as this one). I’ve also seen it applied to gamblers.

So the term has mutated somewhat: on the one hand, even today, workingmen can brag of being honest grafters, but on the other hand, there’s something pretty slick about the pitchmen known as grafters.

]]> By: John Egan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147215 John Egan Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:51:01 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147215 I suspect the author meand 'grifter', not grafter... jegan -------------------------------------------- Grafter \Graft"er\, n. 1. One who inserts scions on other stocks, or propagates fruit by ingrafting. 2. An instrument by which grafting is facilitated. 3. The original tree from which a scion has been taken for grafting upon another tree. --Shak. --------------------------------------------- grift (grft) Slang n. 1. Money made dishonestly, as in a swindle. 2. A swindle or confidence game. v. grift·ed, grift·ing, grifts v.intr. To engage in swindling or cheating. v.tr. To obtain by swindling or cheating. [Perhaps alteration of graft2.] grifter n. -------------------------------------------- I suspect the author meand ‘grifter’, not grafter… jegan

——————————————–
Grafter \Graft”er\, n.
1. One who inserts scions on other stocks, or propagates
fruit by ingrafting.

2. An instrument by which grafting is facilitated.

3. The original tree from which a scion has been taken for
grafting upon another tree. –Shak.
———————————————
grift (grft) Slang
n.
1. Money made dishonestly, as in a swindle.
2. A swindle or confidence game.
v. grift·ed, grift·ing, grifts
v.intr.
To engage in swindling or cheating.
v.tr.
To obtain by swindling or cheating.
[Perhaps alteration of graft2.]
grifter n.
——————————————–

]]> By: plonkee http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147194 plonkee Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:41:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147194 I agree with everyone who says that they're the best potato peelers. I also wasn't expecting him to sound English. I agree with everyone who says that they’re the best potato peelers. I also wasn’t expecting him to sound English.

]]> By: Nicole II http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147189 Nicole II Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:03:11 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147189 This is very funny, because last week I was at the Eastern Market Farmer's Market here in DC. There is a guy there that sells this veggie peeler there (or one very similar). I overheard his pitch to a woman and while it was convincing, it was nowhere near what this guys is. He was also selling it for 8 bucks. Seems like everything is more expensive in DC.... Two veggie peeler guys in one week, too much for one person! This is very funny, because last week I was at the Eastern Market Farmer’s Market here in DC. There is a guy there that sells this veggie peeler there (or one very similar). I overheard his pitch to a woman and while it was convincing, it was nowhere near what this guys is. He was also selling it for 8 bucks. Seems like everything is more expensive in DC….

Two veggie peeler guys in one week, too much for one person!

]]> By: BTGNow.net http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147178 BTGNow.net Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:50:55 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147178 Thank you for mentioning how he makes his money, that is, one $5 peeler at a time. As you state, small amounts in large volume add up very quickly. It means you can make $200 an hour selling potato peelers, or start an emergency fund on two dollars a day, as I describe in this post: http://www.btgnow.net/2008/08/consistency-good-for-your-health-and-your-money/ What matters is consistency. Mr. Ades clearly has it, and we all need it if we're to retire comfortably. Consistency is therefore, how to get rich slowly! Thank you for mentioning how he makes his money, that is, one $5 peeler at a time.

As you state, small amounts in large volume add up very quickly. It means you can make $200 an hour selling potato peelers, or start an emergency fund on two dollars a day, as I describe in this post:
http://www.btgnow.net/2008/08/consistency-good-for-your-health-and-your-money/

What matters is consistency. Mr. Ades clearly has it, and we all need it if we’re to retire comfortably. Consistency is therefore, how to get rich slowly!

]]> By: Sarah http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147173 Sarah Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:02:23 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147173 I literally saw this guy today at Union Square. Had quite the crowd around him. I agree with whoever said above that he's chosen his spot well--people come to the greenmarket willing to spend a little more for higher quality and looking to feel part of a community. I literally saw this guy today at Union Square. Had quite the crowd around him. I agree with whoever said above that he’s chosen his spot well–people come to the greenmarket willing to spend a little more for higher quality and looking to feel part of a community.

]]> By: mpacuk http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147167 mpacuk Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:22:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147167 Haha, yeah, I've seen him at Union Square as well. It's funny because the routine is the same, but there's always a crowd. Haha, yeah, I’ve seen him at Union Square as well. It’s funny because the routine is the same, but there’s always a crowd.

]]> By: MissPinkKate http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147166 MissPinkKate Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:15:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147166 <i>Certainly not me. I can go into my local pound shop (think Dollar Store) and get one of them for a fair bit less than this guy sells them for. </i> I've bought those one dollar peelers, and they stink. $5 is not a lot to pay for a high quality product. Certainly not me. I can go into my local pound shop (think Dollar Store) and get one of them for a fair bit less than this guy sells them for.

I’ve bought those one dollar peelers, and they stink. $5 is not a lot to pay for a high quality product.

]]> By: Emme http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147165 Emme Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:04:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147165 That man deserves every penny he makes. It would take guts to start doing that on a busy street corner, and it would take some serious stamina and hard work to keep doing it every day. Amazing. That man deserves every penny he makes. It would take guts to start doing that on a busy street corner, and it would take some serious stamina and hard work to keep doing it every day. Amazing.

]]> By: ekrabs http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147164 ekrabs Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:51:45 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147164 An excellent micro-example of the synergy between a good product and good salesmanship. Thanks for sharing! An excellent micro-example of the synergy between a good product and good salesmanship. Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: charlotte http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147163 charlotte Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:50:42 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147163 seriously, they're really great peelers. seriously, they’re really great peelers.

]]> By: lucky http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147162 lucky Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:40:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147162 I see this guy all the time in union square. I am buying a peeler next time. I see this guy all the time in union square. I am buying a peeler next time.

]]> By: jwp http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147161 jwp Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:30:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147161 the problem with many of these street salesmen is that the first customer (or few) are plants...all made to encourage others to go in. for these guys the secret is to get the first person to buy...the rest will follow like lemmings. it's a common strategy employed all around the world. people will buy these things if they need them or not. the problem with many of these street salesmen is that the first customer (or few) are plants…all made to encourage others to go in. for these guys the secret is to get the first person to buy…the rest will follow like lemmings. it’s a common strategy employed all around the world. people will buy these things if they need them or not.

]]> By: alia (from Queens) http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/09/06/the-best-salesman-in-the-world/#comment-147159 alia (from Queens) Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:06:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=2037#comment-147159 having navigated the crowd around him before, i would say that he has his audience pegged. (and if i wasn't usually trying to get 2 under 5s to go in the same direction, i would be in the audience myself, so i'm not belittleling them/us). people who go to union square to buy their fruit and veg are very interested in "the best" and also in the human story. that's why they're buying apples from the farmer not freshdirect. (even though the farmer has a deal with freshdirect...) ...my two cents having navigated the crowd around him before, i would say that he has his audience pegged. (and if i wasn’t usually trying to get 2 under 5s to go in the same direction, i would be in the audience myself, so i’m not belittleling them/us). people who go to union square to buy their fruit and veg are very interested in “the best” and also in the human story. that’s why they’re buying apples from the farmer not freshdirect. (even though the farmer has a deal with freshdirect…) …my two cents

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