When he first began he had a good sales year in 1928. This was the only year in 30 years of sales the Willy had a good month. This was when Willy Loman was both on salary and commission. Since then his sales ratings have dropped, and he has been taken off of salary, and only given commission. This is why he has to borrow $50.00 from Charley every week and pretend to his wife, Linda that the $50.00 is his paycheck. Willy probably doesn't sell anything because every deal he composes to a buyer is left with broken promises, which Willy is notorious for, and the deal falls through. Take for example, when Willy is talking to Mrs. Loman and says, They don't need me in New York. I'm the New England man. I'm vital in New England (1224). This quotation perfectly outlays the basis for Willy's procrastinating personality. Not only can Willy break a promise, but also he is always better somewhere else. No matter what the circumstance is for Willy Loman, there is always something better for him elsewhere. At the relative beginning of the play Willy pays the last house payment on his house. A sense of over joy and accomplishment would come over most people, but Willy and Linda's situation was slightly different. The time it takes to pay off a house is normally closer to retirement in most adults' life. Retirement is normally referred to as the golden years in ones' life. The house is paid off, the children are up and grown, the family is financially stable, the house and everything around it is in perfect working order, and now it is time to enjoy the couple of years you have left in your life. Through Willy's years of procrastinating he has cheated himself short of most of this. He has no money, and is borrowing $50.00 weekly from the next-door neighbor. His sons are up and grown, but tend to fight and argue with him instead of cherishing the few years left in their father's life. The house is paid off, but it is falling apart as well as everything in it, because Willy has failed to take the time he said he would to hold the house together.