A few weekends back, my amazing bride and I got a spontaneous itch for a quick getaway. The plan? A breezy trip down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Our mission: check out the shiny new Buc-ees (because, priorities!) and soak up some of that coastal charm. What could go wrong with a simple overnight trip, right?
Oh, sweet summer child, if only we knew.
Our first hint of trouble came as we cruised south. The lanes started to thicken, then tighten, then become a solid, shimmering river of custom cars, gleaming chrome, squatted trucks and bass so deep it vibrated our fillings. We had, unwittingly, driven directly into the heart of Scrapin’ the Coast. For those unfamiliar, imagine what seemed to be thousands upon thousands of highly modified, often lowered, and meticulously detailed vehicles converging on Biloxi for one of the biggest car shows in the Southeast. It was spectacular, bewildering, and utterly traffic-jam inducing. For several hours, we were an unintentional part of the Scrapin’ the Coast parade, with no escape route for miles.
By the time we finally disentangled ourselves from the traffic of the coast, the second shoe dropped. We pulled up hotel after hotel, only to be met with the same apologetic smiles: “Sorry, 100% booked.” It wasn’t just Scrapin’ the Coast; apparently, a massive kids’ baseball tournament had swallowed up the remaining rooms. Every single hotel. Booked. Solid.
After a delightful (and much-needed) dinner to soothe our travel-weary souls, the hunt for a room began in earnest. An hour north of the Coast, we finally found a room. It wasn’t ideal, but after hours in traffic and the realization that our spontaneous “quick trip” had turned into an unplanned odyssey, it felt like a five-star resort.
The next morning, armed with a fresh perspective, a free breakfast and a newfound appreciation for advanced planning, we ventured back to the Coast. We finally got to see the legendary Buc-ees (it was glorious, by the way), enjoyed a little beach time, and savored the Gulf breeze.
And Then, The $20 Watermelon Ransom
As we headed home, we spotted it: a small trailer on the side of the road, absolutely loaded with sun-ripe Smith county watermelons. My bride’s eyes lit up. Of course, we had to get one. I hopped out and walked over to what seemed like a kind lady and her husband. “How much for a melon?” I inquired.
“Twenty-five dollars,” she replied, “but since it’s late, I’ll do twenty.”
Me, being completely ready to just get back on the road and finally be home, paid the ransom for the watermelon and quickly loaded it into the backseat. Once I was back in the driver’s seat, my wife asked what I paid. My clueless “$20.00” was apparently not the correct price I should have paid. Let’s just say I was in a bit of “trouble” for the next 50-80 miles back home. That watermelon tasted like victory, and a touch of regret.
The moral of our story? Even for a “quick trip,” a little planning goes a long way. Seriously, check for major events! A few minutes of research could have saved us hours of traffic, a frantic hotel hunt, and a domestic dispute over fruit prices.
A Tip for Sales Professionals:
Our chaotic “Scrapin’ the Coast” adventure offers a valuable lesson for those in merchant services sales, especially when targeting small businesses:
Don’t Assume They’re Prepared for Their “Scrapin’ the Coast” Moment.
Just like we stumbled into a massive event unprepared, many small businesses are caught off guard by sudden spikes in demand, unexpected events, or even just the everyday rush of a busy weekend. This can lead to:
- Lost Sales: If their payment processing system is slow, unreliable, or can’t handle the volume, customers will abandon purchases.
- Customer Frustration: Long lines due to slow terminals, technical glitches, or limited payment options create a negative experience.
- Operational Headaches: Staff spending more time troubleshooting payment issues than serving customers.
Your Actionable Tip:
When you’re pitching to a small business, go beyond just talking about rates. Ask them:
- “What’s your busiest day or week of the year?”
- “Do you ever experience unexpected rushes or events that dramatically increase your customer traffic?”
- “How confident are you that your current payment system can handle a sudden surge in transactions without slowing down or crashing?”
- “Do you have a backup plan if your internet goes out or your main terminal fails during a peak period?”
By understanding their potential “Scrapin’ the Coast” scenarios, you can highlight how your solutions (faster terminals, wireless options, robust online payment gateways, reliable customer support, backup systems like mobile readers) provide resilience and peace of mind. You’re not just selling a service; you’re selling the ability for them to thrive, even when the unexpected happens. Help them avoid their own “no hotel rooms and stuck in traffic” moment, and you’ll build a much stronger, more valuable relationship.
Happy Selling,
David
Payment Lynx Daily 