Snow, Sleds, and Sales

This just came to mind while returning to my office this afternoon. As most would know in these parts (the birthplace of Elvis), the landmark Tupelo Hardware Co. is where Elvis purportedly purchased his first guitar. The antique glass and wood display counter that held this guitar still resides at Tupelo Hardware Co., and is still in use with wares for sale on top and in the display case. Of course, a space inside is reserved for Elvis memorabilia. The glass top of the counter that was once clear glass, is now opaque after who knows how many world travelers have rubbed the top of the display as if they were rubbing a genie's magic lamp or for good luck. Who knows? The Tupelo Hardware Co. is an Elvis tour stopping point, and is graced outside with a stone and bronze plaque in memory of the King. I drive by the hardware store almost daily and usually make no mind of the landmark.

What inspired me to think about posting this was an item in the Tupelo Hardware Co. window that caught my attention today. This item has probably been there for a long time, I don't know, but I have never noticed it. In the window of the Tupelo Hardware Co., along with a cardboard knockout of Elvis, a accoustic guitar, a small tricycle, a red Radio-Flyer wagon, a bronze rooster wind vane, and other miscellaneous "stuff" is, get this........ a snow sled! A two-runner snow sled, of the same variety that everyone in the snow belt has either owned at one time or has had a friend that had one. Now, what is so strange about this is that we are not the snow belt!

Last Saturday morning, Tupelo woke up to nearly 3 inches of snow. The first measurable amount in over 5 years. Now, did that shop owner put that sled there just because of the recent snow, or has it always been there? Why? Why would the Tupelo Hardware Co. carry a product that could rarely be used, and even more unlikely, sold? I think it icould be a dramatic way of advertising to the consumer "Come On In, We have Everything You Need!"

Now, I think to myself...as an individual, do I need to be more cognizant of things around me everyday or, as a Realtor, am I missing something important in my real estate advertising message? Could I be using something as subtle as this to gain more customers? Do you have a sled in your advertising message?

Of course, you can now bet that I will look for that sled every time I drive by.