But is he sincere?

[Lankypeters]

I recently bought an end table from a major home furnishing store from a cheery young man who could easily be my grandson. A few days after the delivery, he called to make sure all went well. Nothing unusual there. Today, though, I received a note he sent to thank me again and to wish me a happy summer. OK. But below his signature he wrote his phone number, which is not the number (or even the root number) of the store. I did a reverse search on White Pages to find the name and address are "unpublished."

 

Is this a familiar "working boy" approach?

 

Ever curious, I dropped a return note to him at the store and included my card.

 

Anyone ever encounter this sort of scenario?

[KMEM]

No, but I would like to.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ ArVaGuy]

That's one hell of a customer service approach. I wonder if he's the number one ranked salesman at that store.

[+ purplekow]

.

 

Anyone ever encounter this sort of scenario?

 

I think it was a plot for a porno I saw once otherwise, where the fuck is this store. You get a phone number for an end table, hell, I'll buy a dining room set.

[Kevin Slater]

You get a phone number for an end table, hell, I'll buy a dining room set.

 

You might end up with a whole phone book!

 

Kevin Slater

[Luv2play]

Without knowing EVERYTHING that transpired between you and this young man as you were making the purchase, it is hard to discern his real motives in such an effusive follow-up.

 

For instance, was your conversation limited to "I like that end table and I think I'll buy it". I imagine you had it delivered so perhaps you gave him your address. Perhaps that's a neighbourhood he'd like to live in.

 

Perhaps you let slip that the item had to be delivered before you left for the Hamptons for the season. That is perhaps another neighbourhood the young man would like to get to know.

 

Perhaps you indicated that you were pressed for time as you had an important luncheon date at a very recherche restaurant that he has heard about and would just love to go to as well.

 

Well, you see the picture. We have no idea what really transpired between you two as you were buying that little end table. Whatever it was, it obviously made an impression. And impressions are very important! Particularly with the impressionable!

[Guest greatness]

Spill

 

Please let me know the number to that store.. I'm getting an end table too!

 

I recently bought an end table from a major home furnishing store from a cheery young man who could easily be my grandson. A few days after the delivery, he called to make sure all went well. Nothing unusual there. Today, though, I received a note he sent to thank me again and to wish me a happy summer. OK. But below his signature he wrote his phone number, which is not the number (or even the root number) of the store. I did a reverse search on White Pages to find the name and address are "unpublished."

 

Is this a familiar "working boy" approach?

 

Ever curious, I dropped a return note to him at the store and included my card.

 

Anyone ever encounter this sort of scenario?

[Lankypeters]

Without knowing EVERYTHING that transpired between you and this young man as you were making the purchase, it is hard to discern his real motives in such an effusive follow-up.

 

For instance, was your conversation limited to "I like that end table and I think I'll buy it". I imagine you had it delivered so perhaps you gave him your address. Perhaps that's a neighbourhood he'd like to live in.

 

Perhaps you let slip that the item had to be delivered before you left for the Hamptons for the season. That is perhaps another neighbourhood the young man would like to get to know.

 

Perhaps you indicated that you were pressed for time as you had an important luncheon date at a very recherche restaurant that he has heard about and would just love to go to as well.

 

 

 

Well, you see the picture. We have no idea what really transpired between you two as you were buying that little end table. Whatever it was, it obviously made an impression. And impressions are very important! Particularly with the impressionable!

 

Actually, very little transpired. I had already seen the table in a catalog and knew that I probably wanted it, if it looked good on sight (and on site). So I bought it very quickly. As it was relatively expensive ($600) I wonder if the young man spotted someone who was willing to spend some money. Otherwise, he was very cheery, friendly, efficient. Neither of us said anything of a personal nature.

 

I'll see what possiblities, if any, ensue once he receives my card.

[Juan Vancouver]

Come on, guys, aren't we being a bit too cynical here?

 

He smelt money, wants to take a trip to the Hamptons, wants a man who buys an expensive table, perhaps his mother is sick and he thought you were a surgeon?

 

I imagine that if he works at a store that sells 600 tables regularly then he would not be all that dazzled by such an extravagant purchase. It sounds to me as if he is a very intelligent businessman and will go a bit too far to make a new client. The whole idea of a personal shopper, a consultant, a private acquiring assistant is quite widespread, and in order for him to be able to help you make your next informed purchase you need his number, not the store's.

 

That aside, of course there is the possibility that he liked you. Not your platinum card, not your Ferragamo shoes, not your 2000 dollar suit. Maybe he wants to meet you because that is what he wants, not because the only reason to meet someone is financial gain.

 

He may just like you.

 

I personally prefer the more restrained approach where people assume that a man is an escort... whenever he says so.

 

Whatever happened to romance?

[Luv2play]

On reflection, my answer was somewhat jaded. I would go with the advice of Juan and Anton and go with your heart, not your wallet.

[AdamSmith]

(if it slides open)

 

What a delightful euphemism. That is the question, isn't it?

[fedssocr1]

the personal phone number is certainly unusual.

 

But when I bought some furniture at Crate & Barrel the saleswoman was certainly very helpful and also followed up. I assume that was their company's policy. But I think she just included her business card with the correspondence after the sale.

 

I think we're all interested in finding out what happens. :-)

[Guest JWHBoston]

Although I never encountered such a "working boy" approach, I agree with others who suggest a phone number is a phone number. Call him and see what happens. The working boy will either say "F_ _ _ you or F _ _ _ me!" Whatever the outcome, you don't want your caution to stand in the way of a possible good connection or good rendezvous!

[Guest JWHBoston]

Go for it. One can only really ascertain another's motive for leaving his unpublished phone number when he calls him. What's the worst that could happen? The "working boy" will either say, "F_ _ _ you or f _ _ _ me!" So why worry before you speak to him?

[instudiocity]

It sounds hot as hell to me and a great scenario...

 

But then our thinking is focused on escorts and hiring...

 

I have a special friend, in his 20's, who loves older guys. Loves spending time with them, loves sharing his life with them and loves sex with them. He swears older guys who are compassionate, experienced and mature (like I learned yesterday about myself). He says we make better friends and lovers than horny, cocksure, promiscuous 20 somethings.

 

My friend is not an escort. He picked me up in a similar fashion as LankyPeters described, except he was a barista in a coffee shop and I was a frequent caffeine-addicted patron. It all started with greetings and flirting. Then I picked him up from the airport and he thanked me by buying me dinner. I think we had maybe 10 'dates' - dinner, movie, over @ my house for dinner, before he put the moves on me.

 

On the one hand, I wasn't confused, because we knew each other is gay but on the other hand I was surprised when he grabbed my thigh and said, "I like to take our relationship to the next level."

 

Now, we have dinner, go to movies, and maybe once a month we engage in some horizontal time. He has boyfriends and dates other guys, but we've got each other, too.

 

So Lanky, I think you need to buy another piece (of furniture) and accept this young man's advances as signs of friendship - even if only a business friendship. And start referring your friends to him, too. Old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing works BEST! As a good example, just look at Daddy's Reviews!

[Lankypeters]

Thanks.....

 

It sounds hot as hell to me and a great scenario...

 

But then our thinking is focused on escorts and hiring...

 

I have a special friend, in his 20's, who loves older guys. Loves spending time with them, loves sharing his life with them and loves sex with them. He swears older guys who are compassionate, experienced and mature (like I learned yesterday about myself). He says we make better friends and lovers than horny, cocksure, promiscuous 20 somethings.

 

My friend is not an escort. He picked me up in a similar fashion as LankyPeters described, except he was a barista in a coffee shop and I was a frequent caffeine-addicted patron. It all started with greetings and flirting. Then I picked him up from the airport and he thanked me by buying me dinner. I think we had maybe 10 'dates' - dinner, movie, over @ my house for dinner, before he put the moves on me.

 

On the one hand, I wasn't confused, because we knew each other is gay but on the other hand I was surprised when he grabbed my thigh and said, "I like to take our relationship to the next level."

 

Now, we have dinner, go to movies, and maybe once a month we engage in some horizontal time. He has boyfriends and dates other guys, but we've got each other, too.

 

So Lanky, I think you need to buy another piece (of furniture) and accept this young man's advances as signs of friendship - even if only a business friendship. And start referring your friends to him, too. Old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing works BEST! As a good example, just look at Daddy's Reviews!

 

 

Thanks for a mature, balanced, perceptive analysis of the situation. And thanks, Anton, for your warm encouragement. Moving with some caution, I answered the young gentleman's note, thanking him for his attentions.....and enclosing my card. This approach, I think, will leave him comfortable to respond as he wishes.

[Guest greatness]

Lucky you~~~

 

Wow that's so nice.. It's never happened to me though..

[Guest jstlooknthx]

Commission much?

 

This is all very sweet and all but....most likely the guy works for commission. If that was brought up already then sorry I missed it. This is a common practice at commission stores. Yes, even giving a cell number. I realize any of the above scenerios might be true though the most probable story is that he is a nice kid that works for commission and even flirts a little for it which is fine. I just think you might be reading too much into it.

Then again, if this is definitely NOT a commission store or there are not personal employee sales incentives or contests going on at the time, then I am full of shit.

[+ purplekow]

This is all very sweet and all but....most likely the guy works for commission. If that was brought up already then sorry I missed it. This is a common practice at commission stores. Yes, even giving a cell number. I realize any of the above scenerios might be true though the most probable story is that he is a nice kid that works for commission and even flirts a little for it which is fine. I just think you might be reading too much into it.

Then again, if this is definitely NOT a commission store or there are not personal employee sales incentives or contests going on at the time, then I am full of shit.

 

A faint heart never won fair lady. Who the hell cares why he gave you the card, if you are interested, tell him so, you have the number and see where the mop flops.

[Steven_Draker]

When reading this thread I thought: "this could have been a great plot", then 'jstlooknthx' burst my bubble and ruined my fantasy ...

 

But Lanky, go for it you have all your chances!

 

Cheers, Steven ~

[AdamSmith]

see where the mop flops.

 

Exactly. What is all this Victorian dithering about? The gentleman in black is even now advancing on you, me, and all of us to inject the preservative, screw down the lid and caulk the vault.

 

Jump his bones!

[instudiocity]

Exactly. What is all this Victorian dithering about? The gentleman in black is even now advancing on you, me, and all of us to inject the preservative, screw down the lid and caulk the vault.

Jump his bones!

 

ROFL! AS! you so funny!

Or accurate, SHIT!

[NYTomcat]

Your card is a nice touch. Now not enough.... life is short... pick up the phone just my 2 cents

[bostonman]

On the day that I moved into my current apartment some 10 years ago, I was having trouble with my phone service - and Verizon sent over this cute, hunky guy named Ken to fix it. After everything was working properly and he was ready to go, he wrote down his number for me and told me to call him directly if anything still needed work. Oh, how I wish I had at least tried to call him back, even if I was pretty sure that he was simply being professional, and not opening the door to a sexual advance. Chances are he would have turned down my invitation for coffee, etc, but I guess I'll never *really* know, will I?

 

So hell, I say go for it - if his intentions get misconstrued, well, I suppose he should also learn that that can happen, lol.

 

Oh - by the way, NYTomcat - not to get pedantic, but your Sondheim signature quote should read "You may know what you need, but to get what you want, better see that you keep what you have." (Sorry, I've done Into The Woods quite a few times, lol.)

[NYTomcat]

 

Oh - by the way, NYTomcat - not to get pedantic, but your Sondheim signature quote should read "You may know what you need, but to get what you want, better see that you keep what you have." (Sorry, I've done Into The Woods quite a few times, lol.)

 

Pedantic. Not at all. I love that you called me on it. Too be honest. I've done it too many times myself. LOL. And yes I actually know. Lets call it taking liberties. This arrangement fits my signature better. LOL. But I didn't want to not give its Creator most of the credit. Now the "see that" I forgot. LOL. Ill have to change that but not until im off the mobile.