The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

JOE WORKS FOR A FIRM THAT SELLS DUPLICATORS. ONE OF THE
ATTACHMENTS THAT THEY HAVE FOR SALE IS FOR FEEDING VERY
THIN PAPER SUCH AS ONION SKIN INTO THE MACHINE WITHOUT
JAMMING. SINCE NOT ALL THEIR CUSTOMERS NEED SUCH AN
ATTACHMENT, IT HAS TO BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY. THE
STANDARD JOKE PLAYED ON NEW SALES HELP IS TO CONVINCE
THE SALESMAN THAT THIS ATTACHMENT IS ACTUALLY A PAPER
STRETCHER AND A VERY ECONOMICAL ASSET TO HIS CUSTOMERS
IF THEY WERE TO PURCHASE IT. THE EXPERIENCED SALESMEN
TELL THE NEWCOMER THAT THE PAPER MUST FIRST BE IMMERSED
IN WATER. THEN WHEN IT GOES THROUGH THE DUPLICATOR WITH
THIS ATTACHMENT ON IT, THE PAPER ELONGATES.

Submitter comment: JOE SAID THAT THE LAST TIME THEY PLAYED THIS TRICK,
THE SALESMAN ACTUALLY SOLD FIVE OF HIS CUSTOMERS THE
SO-CALLED "PAPER STRETCHERS" WHICH HAD TO BE CREDITED
OUT THE NEXT MONTH ONCE THE CUSTOMERS FOUND OUT THAT
IT WASN'T ALL IT WAS PIPED UP TO BE!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-03-1971