Trusting Strangers in 2007

Warning – this post has nothing to do with technology, or IT.

Over the last year I’ve been doing something I’ve always wanted to do – learning to play guitar.  My starting point was as a complete novice – I’ve never had any musical training.  I’ve been learning on my wife’s guitar.  My plan was to purchase my own guitar if I stuck with it.

Well, yesterday I visited a very cool acoustic guitar shop called Wildwood Music, run by Marty & Don, (www.wildwoodmusic.com) located 70 miles North East of Columbus in Coshocton, Ohio.  Long story short I bought a beautiful, quality, Taylor guitar.

But an amazing thing happened in the process.

After deciding to take the plunge I inquired if they would take a credit card.  Their answer was no, checks only.  Unfortunately, I had forgotten to bring my checkbook.

Don told me “not to worry, take the guitar, and send me a check when you get home.”  So that’s what I did.  Keep in mind that this guitar was not cheap, that I had never been to their store, that they did not know me at all.  They never even checked my ID or asked for any kind of identification.  I just wrote my name and address on the receipt and walked out with the guitar.

Now that’s trust.

I think the world needs more people like Marty and Don.

I welcome your comments.
Mike Brannan