Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

In my over 30 years as a broker, financial advisor, and money manager, I was always trying to find and implement new marketing ideas to find and acquire new clients. I never had a serious problem of acquire clients once I could get face to face with a new prospect.

Among other things, I was one of the first in my office to install my own computer system with modern software to manage my own data base. It wasn’t hard, it just took the bucks and planning to buy an IBM 360 computer, color monitor and printer. I was the first to my knowledge to acquire Brokers Ally, which was then state of the art data base management system for an individual. It was advanced enough that I could select a prospect, hit a button and it would automatically dial that person. I also had a headset so I could not only visit with my intended prospect but could type in notes of our conversation and when and if I had made an appointment to call back.

I was a good prospector. I found early on that I could either prospect and get new clients, or I could manage clients accounts, but I did not have time to do both. So, I continued prospecting and turned management over to others who were true managers of assets.

Well, all that allowed me to enjoy some modest success. Now let me tell you about a brilliant idea of mine, or so I thought, that was an utter failure. Now it was only a failure in that there were no positive results, none.

Since I was at the time an avid fisherman, and a member of the Gulf Coast Conservation Club, I dreamed up the idea of printing a pocket-sized guide to Gulf of Mexico tide chart for the year. It was done with my picture on the front holding one of my recent personal best catches which I believe was suitable for its purpose.

This annual tide chart was distributed in almost every place and opportunity and event that I could think of, such as the fund-raising dinner of the Houston Gulf Coast Conserv charts individually everywhere I went. All were well received and appreciated. But no one, not one person ever even called or met with me to discuss investing or of having their portfolio or IRA managed. It was a total failure, based upon the intended reason for the purpose for which it was created. Now it wasn’t due to anyone misunderstanding the purpose because I made that clear in the text I had printed in the booklet’s front pages.

So, what did I do, I folded my tent and recognized what I thought was a great idea was really a waste of my time and money? It may have served a good purpose in some ways, but not any that I had intended, so I dropped the project as a loser. Live and learn. Just Sayin…RJS

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

RJ— I always enjoy reading your life experiences!
I can identify with your face to face comment. I design and sell kitchens. In an internet society where everyone wants quick and easy I am sometimes tempted to bid a clients kitchen by email without meeting them. This rarely works. I am reminded of the vacuum cleaner salesmen of old who knew if they could get just 15 minutes in front of the client they could suck them in and leave with a sale. All my bidding and presentations are done face to face with great results....masked and social distanced of course.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, my team had solid and provable returns. When a client said they had astonishing and much higher average returns, we would not challenge that, because there are more tricksters out there than what are caught and appear in the headlines, such as Bernard Madoff. You can never win, and then when their mask is removed, the clients are too ashamed to admit thier folley. Just Sayin...RJS

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

So should I keep or sell the Apple stock I inherited? Had 12 shares that are now 48.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Hi mauwehu: well I am no longer licensed and not supposed to render financial advice! But you might sell enough to recover your cost and that way you aren’t going to get hurt by anything that happens...just an idle thought! Just Sayin... RJS

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Keep it, Apple has a customer base that just loves them, no matter what. I'm not saying that their products are bad, just way over priced.
Too bad that the Beatles believed Apple on the Trade Mark case, that Apple would NEVER go into music.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

RJ if you hadn't tried you would have always wondered. Better to know then to assume.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, it was a slick idea, pert near perfect, except it wasn't suitable for the purpose I intended. Just Sayin...RJS

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Thanks for the advice.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, when you consider the span of 31 years, I obviously treid a lot of ideas and strategies, and had a little success with some and failure with others, I just happen to remember the Tide Charts were a real flop. Just Sayin...RJS

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Might have worked if you were a real estate agent.