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Free Advertising@Costco Stores-How Blind Was I!

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific BRE #01474067

At our Costco, after checking out or eating at the food court, everyone must pass by a bulletin board with business cards. I often look over, quickly perusing the cards. Every time, there are not that many real estate agents. It is a business directory that holds business cards.  In our store the board is well maintained, looks tidy, and the holders are filled up.  I have been eyeing that board for a very long time.  I am too embarrassed to say how long.  How blind was I, my business cards could be right in front of how many hundreds of people everyday?

Today I said to myself, find out how I can get up there. So I did! It is not a matter of just sticking your cards up there. They will be removed and all of you who might have put cards there and thought people picked them up..NOT. There is a coordinator/monitor for the business directory board.  I was told they needed 75 cards and for four months they will make sure my card holder is filled up. The four months started in April so I am a little behind.  In August I will have to go back into register for another four months. You must be a member of Costco and your business be local to the store. I also put a thank you card to the coordinator in my packet of cards.  By the time I had picked up a berry smoothie, turned around to walk out, I saw my cards put up.

Did not cost me anything, Costco is a well known and trusted store, just maybe someone will take my card.  My name is there 7 days a week in a place people spend tons of money.  Have you ever just bought one item??

Not sure if every store has the same policy, but I would not be surprised if they did.  All the Costcos I go in have a separate area to walk through before leaving the building.  Yep, maybe my card will be leaving with a potential client!! 

I have nothing to lose and clients to gain!!

Does anyone out there do this at your local Costco, how long, and have any feedback to share?

Coscto Business Directory

 

Posted by

 

***************************************************************************************  Melanie and Jenny reviews

Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific

Call or Text Melanie - 707-319-2828

Visit Real Estate Made Simple for more information about Homes for Sale In Benicia, Vallejo, Green Valley, and Napa. Melanie provides information and options to assist distressed homeowners in today's real estate market.  In addition to understanding the real estate transaction, seek professional tax and legal advice if your plan is to short sale your home.

"Local Expertise-National Exposure"

Melanie Ross Benicia Realtor

 

Melanie Ross Short Sale

 

Please Read:

Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating. 

Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Not sure there is a board at the Costco most local here, but will check this out. Thanks.

Carolin Benjamin
Bob and Carolin Benjamin
The Benjamin Team
Keller Williams Integrity First Realty
Gold Canyon Arizona

May 24, 2007 07:22 PM
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com
I don't know either but will check. Great Post.
May 24, 2007 09:29 PM
KRISTINE CROWE
COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE - Dundalk, MD
I've not done this at Costco, but my other local grocery stores and other stores offer the same.
May 24, 2007 09:58 PM
Ronda Ching Day
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties - Honolulu, HI
Call "Help Me Ronda" for your Real Estate Needs!

Thank you for sharing a business building tip.  I am so grateful that I found Active Rain and got hooked up!!!

So often we find ourselves competing alone with our broker, company mates and fellow peers.  This network is such a blessing to the profession.  From the generosity of our peers we will strengthen our skills and talents forging a profession dedicated to our clients needs.

It is amazing to see the struggle and attack on NAR members, the MLS system by the governing bodies and the public.  Only until the public can see that we, as Realtors or professionals (i.e., dedicated career persons who devote our time to serve the public.), actually work towards learning and improving our profession each day,  will we be able to sustain our livelihood. 

Aloha,

Ronda Ching Day (RA), 2006 Aloha Aina People's Choice Award Winner, member of the H2O Properties Group at Realty Executives Oahu (Waikiki Branch)

Realtor Associate who

Sells Honolulu Oahu Hawaii Real Estate

May 24, 2007 10:37 PM
Steven Shewell
Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. - Ephrata, PA
The Mortgage Maverick

Thanks for making me feel stupid.  Just one more potential marketing point that I have been leaving slip by.  I just thought that with their advertising highlighting their real estate and mortgage connections, something like this wouldn't be a possibility.

However, I do shop a lot at Costco.  With the size of my family, if I can get out of there for less than $200, then I feel it was a good day.  $400-500 is not uncommon.

Anyway, thanks for the great suggestion,

May 25, 2007 01:51 AM
Melanie Ross
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828
Thanks for all the comments and if any of you do find out that your Costco does this..let us know!!
May 25, 2007 02:34 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I will check the local costco.Thank you

May 25, 2007 03:10 AM
Michael Truiano
BHG Rand Realty - Nanuet, NY
hmmm now i have to do my memorial day bbq shopping at costco this weekend to find out!  I wonder who has the illustrious job of costco bulletin monitor???
May 25, 2007 03:22 AM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
We don't have this board at our Costco, either.  It would be a great addition, though.  I think I'll ask about it.
May 25, 2007 04:46 AM
Renee L. Norton
Birmingham, AL
I'm always in such a hurry when I go to Costco.  I think  I'll go check it out tomorrow!  Thanks!
May 25, 2007 08:56 PM
Melanie Ross
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828

Renee,

You are welcome!! 

 

May 26, 2007 09:47 AM
David Boone
A1A Mortgage, LLC - Jacksonville Beach, FL

I will have to check ours out.

Also, Thank you kristine for the tip of grocery stores. I will check them out as well!!

May 26, 2007 02:51 PM
Steven Shewell
Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. - Ephrata, PA
The Mortgage Maverick
Bummer!  I just went to my local Costco and they don't have a board like this.  Unfortunately, trying to find an intelligent human being to talk to about a board at this store is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
May 26, 2007 03:34 PM
Melanie Ross
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828

Steven,

I am so sorry to hear this.  IF you would like, I will take a picture and post it so people can see what it looks like.  Most huge corporations have a specific footprint for their stores.  With this Business Directory it is not rocket science and a good neighbor/business policy.

Would a picture help?  Maybe take it to your store.  Now that I am thinking as writing, I should have taken a picture and posted it at the top.  NOTE to Self:Take picture and post!  Stay tuned as I will attempt this tomorrow.

May 26, 2007 03:50 PM
Penny Florence
Midvale, UT
I will be checking out my local costco tomorrow, thanks for the tip.  There is so much out there that a lot of people don't know about.  I love that people are so willing to share ideas and tips. 
May 26, 2007 04:33 PM
Rosemary Brooks
BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA
The Mother & Daughter Realty Team
Yes,  a picture will help.  Because if they do not have it, this maybe a suggestion that they will follow up and implement. 
May 26, 2007 11:28 PM
Bill Somerset
Re/Max Realty Group - Dover, NH
ABR, e-PRO - Realtor - NH Real Estate Agent
THanks for the heads up.  I wonder if Sam's club and B.J's does the same?
May 27, 2007 01:05 AM
Melanie Ross
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828

I posted a picture of the Business Directory Board in my blog.  Yep, my cards were still there and were moved to the middle of the board.  Hope this picture gives those of you an idea if your Costco does not  have one!

May 27, 2007 03:02 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

That is great advice, but with their real estate program will they allow a real estate professional who are not part of their real estate program.

May 28, 2007 05:08 PM
Melanie Ross
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828

Todd,

I am not part of their real estate program, just a local Realtor who shops there!!

Melanie

May 29, 2007 03:10 AM