Golden Memories
“I’ll tell you a story I believe is really important in business. In 1996, I wanted three identical trailers over three years. I went to three different trailer manufacturers. I’m still waiting for the quote from one of them. Dick and his wife were down for a wedding, so he came and saw us in the smoko room and signed us up. And the third manufacturer I called the following day to say we’d made a decision – he said ‘when do we start’ and I said I’d actually gone with Roadmaster, even though they were $10,000 dearer. They’d come to see us, and it’s really hard to say no to someone sitting across you at the table.” – Gary Johnstone.
“When we were travelling around the States we found this sporting goods store called Dick’s. Yes, we had to stop and take a photo.” – Graham Sheldrake.
“He knows everybody, and everybody enjoys talking to him. Even if he’s pissed them off, they still enjoy talking to him.” – James Worsnop.
“We’d be putting orders through and we’d look at it and go, ‘There’s got to be a tyre carrier on that, Dick, where have you priced it in?’ And he’d say ‘Ah shit, that’s okay just add it in.’ He’d talk his way out of some of that.” – Neil Peterken.
“I’ve known Dick since his Road Runner days. He was excellent to deal with and really honest. If the deal went a bit sour, he’d help you out. Even today, I’ve done a bit of business with him at NZT. He’s ended up being a good mate. We spent a lot of time together, and he’s good, good fun.” – Craig Stokes.
“A lot of people I don’t think twice about telling you to piss off… I have a lot of time for the way Dick holds himself as a salesman.” – Beau Maru.
“When we collected the first trailer, Dick picked us up. We went and had a couple of ‘Milos’ as he calls them, and then he invited us to stay over at his place. We didn’t know each other from a bar of soap. And he’s been a friend ever since. He’d give you the shirt off his back. The kids still call him Uncle Dick. We’ve sung many a karaoke song and drunk many a pint.” – Gary Johnstone.
