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It Is Mostly True That You Get What You Pay For

Today's topic is on the subject of being "cheap." A chronic symptom found in the For Sale By Owner market when it comes to hiring the professional services of a REALTOR.

I have been fleeced by the lawyers, paid too much for a house at times, bought a car at better than dealer invoice and such but usually when I venture into the land of being "cheap", I suffer with low quality, poor reliability, poor advice, and overall a sour taste in my mouth.

The shoddy workmanship on a home repair, or automobile or appliance repair that requires "another" service call. When it comes to being cheap in FSBO land or other endeavors, don't!!

It Is Mostly True That You Get What You Pay For!!

Posted by Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth on 10/19/2009 09:31 PM

Comments (34)

Extreme Frugalness in the ActiveRain Channel

value cheapness

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34 Comments on It Is Mostly True That You Get What You Pay For

OCT

SOOOO True Gary - in ALL walks of life !

... although I think I have one pair of undies from the dollar store ??! ... no, I'm mistaken ! lol

Gary, I agree 100%

Gary, This graphic made me burst out laughing... my husband was like, "what are you laughing at?" Cute post!

Gary...

I never fall for the cheapest price ... when I hire someone, I want to make sure that the job is done RIGHT!

Hi Gary,

This was too funny. And I agree that you usually get what you pay for. I think FSBO's honestly believe they save money but would actually doubt it. So I mostly agree that most FSBO's shouldn't be FSBO's in the first place , expecially today with so much to know.

Hi Gary..It's called being a PENNY WISE and a POUND FOOLISH..:0)..Nice Photo

HELPFULHANNAH

What a cute post Gary. I'll have to dig up statistics but I'm quite certain FSBO's typically sell for less than listed with an agent. Now you have tweaked my interest in finding those stats! I would never wear used undies.....EEEEwwwwww!

I'm LOVING the new photo of you also. I thought I had the wrong Blog when I logged on to comment, lol.

Great new picture Gary!!

don't buy the underpants! ha ha, lol ..........hey love the new Gary pic! :-)

Hi Gary,

Too funny and true... Your new photo is very nice...;-)

Ann Hayden in Wildwood,MO

Don't buy the underpants? Does that mean you recommend wearing them out of the store unobtrusively?

Gary,

When Judi agreed 100% twice, does it equal one time but 200%? help me out here... (LOL)

Jokes aside, it is simply amazing how many people for the sake of saving are ready to pay more. How many times you here "If we would do it again, we..." You can continue for them, and often it is that they did it because they did not know something that a Realtor knew.

I enjoy when people come to the office for some small piece of information only, because THEY SURFED THE INTERNET AND KNOW EVERYTHING ALREADY AND DO NOT NEED ME. I start talking to them and in 5 minute they realize that there is a lot that they do not know and that is what is important. Those who listen, usually get sober quickly, those who don't tend to learn on their own mistakes.

I can read everything about mountain skiing, what's a big deal. But when you are up there, and the only skills are from the Internet, you are for a very rough and dangerous ride

OCT

Gary, so true! I wouldn't but underwear from a thrift store, something about already worn in that category of garment is just not a good thing!

Agree 100% Gary. I recently wrote a post too with a similar message where I needed to go back to my old title company because I needed competency - as the discount shop's service was unacceptable. Good post.

Gary - Didn't recognize the new photo until I saw the name. When someone calls and they say they are looking for a "cheap home inspection it raises the hair on the top of my head.

Gary,

Cheap is rarely the most effective way to go. You won't find people looking for the cheapest "cardiac surgeon" when they need one.

Rich

Love your rule #1 Gary. That should be rule #2, 3, 4 and 5 as well - LOL

Ha! Thanks for sharing - and reminding us about "value". I usually err in the other direction, overpaying sometimes, but I hate truly cheap things - and there is a BIG difference between cheap and inexpensive.

Mike

Gary: Listed and sold a home that had previously been a FSBO. The owner was amazed at how quickly it sold. He'd been trying for months. The time he saved in languishing on the market was more than saved by what he paid me.

Gary,

Seeing the colorful underwear up there makes you pay attention to a gravely important matter. Competent real estate agent is plenty worth doing business with.

Gary - another great piece of advise - 100% true. BTW love your casual picture here :)

HELLO GARY! BTW -nice new profile photo! Rarely is being cheap worth it in the end. And for FSBOs - if their home never sells then they really are getting what they paid for! --Gabrielle

Gary...I have fallen to the trick of cheap prices. I ended up paying a lot more in the ling run.

Gary: I believe in getting it right the first time and that usually means, don't take the cheap way out. Great new picture you have.

I see Gary in his underpants LOL...

A rule we can definitely live BETTER with! (Who's the guy who hijacked your photo? LOL! Love it!)

Gary - that phrase is soooo true ' you get what you pay for '. FSBO's are trying to save a buck, but they really don't understand how much they are losing or could be losing in the long run.

Right you are. My buyers are trying to sell their own home in Denver. They finally found some web page that would put their listing on the MLS. They're still clueless. They asked me if I could help them sell their home up there. Of course I said yes, but they don't want to hire me, they want my info for free! Of course. I explained to them that without a listing contract, I'd be practicing law without a license. That my brokerage had a specific fee I needed to charge them or they make me pay out of my pocket...which is true. Cheap is frequently problematic.

I always believe in this rule.

OCT

Tough to comment re FSBO's as I see both sides - - especially now, with so many upside down. But I do agree for the most part with 'you get what you pay for!'

Hi Gary:

Don't buy the underwear is right!

Great analogy!!!

Why is it that almost all realtors agree with this, and the general public hasn't a clue. We need a major education campaign (which of course will raise the dues again). I have found that when I find a reputable, honest and knowledgable source for a service, I am so pleased. And then, I do everything I can to promote them. (They usually reciprocate, knowing that I am pleased brings them more $$$$.)

That's some snazzy underpants you are wearing today Gary.

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