I have a sweetheart of a car to sell as part of my fiduciary agent responsibilites for a trust. In life, as in business, it's important to delegate (or hire out) that which you don't do, prefer not to do or shouldn't do if it's a misuse of time. That's a lesson I learned very early as a Solo Entepreneur. That's why I've always had a bookkeeper. It's not my interest, skill or expertise and there are many people who actually know and like numbers! It's the trickle down theory at its best. (And why I let restaurants prepare my food. They are so good at it. I'm not!)
My accountant explained my "job" as trustee; I'm the quarterback, the leader. I pass the ball or even hike it to the RIGHT person, in the right position who can take it over the line and score a touchdown. (Forgive my hackneyed football metaphor).I hired the expert to sell this sweetheart of a car who loves to sell cars, knows the nuances of the process and has the interest, skills and patience. I have a business to run, speeches to give, blogs to write, friends to see and television to watch and his business is selling cars.
Today I got a call from a friend offering a "well below Blue Book" amount for the car. When I mentioned that I hired someone to sell it, she asked if I had a contract. "No, but we had a verbal agreement." (Remember, I'm from a world that giving someone your word means something). Then I remembered we also had an email exchange about his fees, the work, etc to which I gladly agreed. I mentioned to the caller that we had this agreement in writing on email. "That's not a contract" was the response. Tsk, Tsk. Someone hasn't been paying attention to their subscription of the New York Times. Emails are admissable in court and our email exchange confirmed the agreement. "Well, it's also a matter of ethics and giving my word," said I.
Cutting someone out of a deal may not be illegal but it isn't ethical, either. There was no dilemma because I never for a moment considered going back on my word. In fact, I was stunned at the suggestion. In this face to face world, the person we have to face first... is the one in the mirror.
