Business, whether it't Real Estate, Buying a Computer or Camera at Best Buy, or getting your car repaired....we are in the position of needing to "Trust" someone else.  Most of the time we take their word as to what we need to buy,  or what we need to do to solve or fix a problem.  They are the experts, and we expect them to know what they are talking about and to guide us through our purchase or transaction. But what happens when our Trust is misplaced?

"Trust me" yea we've all heard that one before.  In fact there are people that the minute they hear those words they run the other way.  "Trust me" is the tagline of many a con artist and incompetents.  I don't think they have it patented or anything, but when I hear it I want to run the other way.

This past week I have had to "trust" many different people to help me with a business venture.  The venture itself is immaterial it's the experiences that left me at weeks end with a migraine, very sore back, and wondering where in the world work ethics have gone to.

1)  "I'm sorry" but..........

     Lil Devil- What do you mean you're sorry?  You don't have anything vested in this.....will you quit talking  don't you know I stopped listening to you after you said "but"? 

I'm so angry right now I could just scream, or throw things, something, as I don't "trust you" I think you're lying to me, but what can I do, there's no way to prove it.  Damn it, it makes me mad....and I just knew I should have gone somewhere else.

     Lil Angel- Sometimes our gut feelings should be listened to. Unless someone is really neurotic, or has actual mental problems then listening to our gut feelings can keep us out of situations that we sense isn't right.  Sometimes the anger we feel isn't really at the situation, but at ourselves for even being in the position of being taken advantage of.  In my case I was very angry as I had suspicions that this shop would try to pad the bill....and from the experience all that is left is that I was right.  Whether they were completely honest or not, I have a bad taste in my mouth that they cheated me, and that's all that matters!

2)  Have you ever been in the position where you bought something that the seller said had no problems, only to find out later that it did....

     Lil Devil-  Oh Gawd....why did I even bother to ask, did I really expect them to say, "oh yea by the way it has this and that wrong but hey we want top dollar for it."   Embellish, puffing, all those fancy words just mean lying to me.........Just tell me the condition so I can make an informed decision!

     Lil Angel-  If I ask you about the condition it's because I don't know how to check it myself.  Someone selling something might not know everything about it, but they have some sort of history, and that's all they can tell.  But saying something is perfect, or has no problems gives the impression that it doesn't need repairs, is ready to be used or enjoyed. 

Oh, and another thing.....sellers of everything need to understand about depreciated value.  Why would a buyer pay top dollar (or what you paid for it) if it has been used, has deferred maintenance, has been repaired, needs repairs, is out of style, out of date, or any other host of things. 

People will still buy things that aren't in top shape if the Price is Right.  But boy can they get ticked off if they think they are getting scr**ed in a transaction. 

3)  Disclose, Disclose, Disclose

By: Kathy McGraw