May 2, 2014
Is the U.S.A. ruled by capitalism or hedonism?
Capitalism is defined as private owner for profit rather than state control of a country's trade and industry. Followers of hedonism espouse the pursuit of pleasure as the highest goal in life.
Someone posited that capitalism allows for a CEO to earn $500,000 annually while someone like Beyoncé brings in $50 million a year. I admit I haven't checked the accuracy of Beyoncé's annual earnings; frankly, I don't think an exact figure matters. My query is based not on what each person makes, but what each person does in relation to their earnings, and how we as Americans view what they have to offer.
I was a successful salesperson. I won awards for Salesperson of the Month, Top Grossing Salesperson, and held the record for most units sold for a number of years until someone finally bested me. I found during my 16+ years selling that it was far easier to selling anything that catered to personal pleasure.
Let's use my work experiences at Mattress Emporium and Ford Music as examples. In 1997 I went to work for Mattress Emporium in Altoona, PA. I made commission on every item I personally sold. I had a substantial inventory to pull from along with a wide variety of price points and degrees of quality. I was a full time employee. When the store manager was transferred I was left to run the store. I clocked 70/80 hour work weeks until I left for a management position at Ford Music.
Maybe I should have pursued a career in dentistry, because it was like pulling teeth trying to sell someone a quality mattress and box spring. Stop and think about the last time you went mattress shopping. What was your motivation and how much were you willing to spend?
On to Ford Music. The Ford family sold new and used pianos, organs, guitars, amplifiers, sheet music, band instruments, etc. I was told I should be playing an organ at the front of the store at every available opportunity. I should add this store was in a local mall. My job was to entice people with my playing to come into the store; once in, I would demonstrate how easy and affordable it was for them to play just as good as I could. The amount of musical instruments and accessories I sold led to me holding the record for highest gross profit at that location.
Why did I sell more at Ford Music than I did at Mattress Emporium? Perceived pleasure trumps conventional need. I was no longer pulling teeth at Ford Music. I was an ego masseuse. It rarely mattered whether a mattress set had better quality foam, coils, upholstery, and a great warranty. The mattress customer was all about spending the least amount of money. Not so the music customer.
Take my old guitar as another example. I was a newlywed in 1984. My husband couldn't find steady work. I had a nice guitar but sold it to help make ends meet. My father came for a visit. He found a new guitar at a Sear's Outlet Store for $40. It was in a cardboard box and had no name on the headstock. I was thrilled to have a guitar to play! Many guitarists over the years have commented that my no name guitar played just as well, if not better, than other expensive name brand guitars. My $40 guitar ended up being a quality musical instrument. And still I was mocked for using that guitar on paying gigs.
What motivates the average American? What drives the economy? I worked harder as a bedding salesperson than I did as a music store manager. I surmise the CEO making 500K puts in more sweat equity and has greater job related stress than Beyoncé at 50 mill. Why is the common laborer earning minimum wage, while a bartender rakes in the tips from one busy night at the local bar? Why does the Mercedes Benz salesman make a killing on commission while the Hyundai salesman get $50 per car if he's having a good month?
Capitalism or Hedonism.
