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Hear Me Loud and Clear

Attention Competitors, Realtor "Stagers" and Stager hopefuls: I've had it, had it, HAD IT!!!!

My little shop has been in business now for over two years. I started with nothing. Some of the things I did....I took a small business course. Researched the industry, looked at other websites and listened and read quite a bit here on AR before I jumped into the forum. I am always studying and trying to find ways to make my skills better, my service better, hear that...not just bigger but BETTER.

I don't fleece my customers with unnecessary services or charges and I am up front about what I can and can't do. I refer to other Stagers gladly, I don't ask for a fee, just reciprocal consideration when the opportunity presents itself. That's how good business is done.

Bottom line is I was not lazy, I did not steal or use subterfuge to set up my pricing structure, determine services or steal clients. I am not huge but I found a niche and I work at it to make it better.

Posing as a potential client, using names of dead authors (might work on some, I read a ton) and requesting answers to all your staging questions be in writing instead of speaking with a human on the phone are dead give aways as to who you are. When you cancel your consultation after you get or can't get what you were looking for please don't tell me "I ran into a friend who is a realty stager, and she asked to come over first." PALEEESE!

Try the good old fashion way of making it. WORK, WORK and WORK some more. Stop stealing staging photos and calling them your own. Stop plagerizing other peoples words and methods of doing things.

Be honest and ethical about the way you do things and only good will follow.

I have found much support here on Activerain by other Stagers and Real Estate professionals. I am always trying to return that courtesy within reason. I am not nearly as experienced as many of the Stagers here on AR but I share what I know willingly. I have spent upwards of 45 minutes or more on the phone with the honest types who call and want to know what I know about the business. I am not stingy.

Bottom line, if you can't do it yourself honestly, maybe you should not try to do it at all. While you are trying to figure it out, Don't email or call our company, yeah that's right, I don't need your "business."

Thanks for your attention.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and online. We service the Inland Empire Area of Southern California.

Posted by AccentPositives Corona, CA on 11/09/2009 01:16 PM

Comments (25)

ethics, stagers, competitors, honesty in business

Post is included in group: Real World Home Staging for Newbies
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25 Comments on Hear Me Loud and Clear

NOV

Congratulations on running a great business. Your success is the evidence of that!

Hi Ana,

Thank you for sharing an informative and helpful article.

John Pusa

Ana ~ Not only do I HEAR you, I endorse your message!! I'm contacted by potential "clients" like yours too ... we probably all are at one time or another. It's frustrating isn't it? But you can turn the tables on your "prospects" by asking THEM a lot of questions. Believe me, it works.

I'm always willing to help a genuine stager, but once I had a call from another local stager and her name was on my Caller ID, but she gave me a "fake" name and said she had a home that needed staging and then started asking me all about my rates, services, etc. Since I knew from the moment I picked up the phone who was really calling ... I told her what I wanted her to hear and didn't answer any pricing questions, just said I had to see the property in person -- when could we meet there? Well, she went out of business soon afterward.

Hi Amy, thanks for commenting. I am not successful as I would like but I am working towards it:)

Hi John, you're welcome, thanks for commenting

Hi Maureen, With that type of brilliance, no wonder that person is no longer in business!

I also have done what you mentioned, funny how they get tongue tied or rude sometimes when you question them back. These type contacts are so blatant I can't stand it, and so my rant today!

I have learned so much from the sharing and talking with other Stagers and I am so willing to do the same. I am comfortable giving general fee info, but I am not going to set up someone's business and menu of services for them. Thanks for commenting:)

Hello Ana, I sense your a bit angry LOL... Once, several years ago I had the same thing happen to us that happened to Maureen. I was somewhat in shock while the call was going on because I could look down at the phone and clearly see that I was talking to a local stager rather than the Jane Doe she was representing. The next day I simply picked up the phone and called her back and asked if she was still interested in the quote she had inquired about. What a waste... Most local stagers in our area know that Linda and I are quite willing to help other stagers, even local folks. Our stance is that it's better to have credible, professional competition that will advance the industry than to have folks that can give the industry a black eye. Guess it happens to all of us.

I just had one within the last 3 weeks or so, this woman would not give up, and her name sounded familiar, sure enough a local newbie, with NO portfolio photos. You wouldn't believethe questions she asked, like what did my agreement/contract have on it. Are you kidding? No way, figure it out like the other stagers that have legitimate businesses or take a course. If someone is honest and upfront, no problem, but don't lie and act like your Jane Doe.

NOV

I would take it is a compliment when someone is trying to steal or take what you've got. They see the value and rather than ask for help they have chosen to steal it from you. You must be doing something right then because your competition is seeing the value.

I find it annoying and frustrating too, but my rates and the way I do business are public information so I don't really care how they get it. It's a lot more trouble for them to mis-represesnt themselves than it is for me just to be forthright and honest. Stealing photos, etc. That's a different story.

Gee Ana, I see we work the same, everything is upfront w/ me and I do refer out too w/ no fee. I also do not nickle and dime my clients and offer them to please contact me if they have any other questions at no charge.

I cannot fathom why would someone be stealing others work, it proves they are a fraud and cannot do the work. It has to come to light sooner and not late I would think.

hi, Ana:
not sure if the above was meant to be amusing, but it did give me a chuckle having been there.

I don't want to go to off the handle here, but any one who thinks that some one stealing the product of your hard work and creativity is a compliment has probably never created some thing worth copying. Copyright infringement is against Federal Law. Period. I have had two major incidents of Copyright Infringement - the most recent remedied it immediately, and I am thankful. The first, still has not remedied it, and I am trying to get her kicked off Google.

The Stage Coach Austin Home Stager

Hi Gary, ya think!:) It's been a real pain lately for some reason. I agree with you and Linda's stance. Helping each other in a postive way will only make our industry better, creating better Stagers and credibility. I am always willing to, as others have helped me. Thanks for commenting.

Totally agree Cindy, just be honest about it and I am always willing to answer questions. I am not bothered by competition that's ethical, like Gary said it's good for the business. Anyway, my compnay is so small I can't see us getting in anyone's way:)

Hi Charles, that's a very positive way of looking at it, which I do but lately it's gotten really annoying....what do I look like I just fell of the banana truck!:)LOL

Hi Kim, you are right. I also am open about my pricing. There will always be someone less expensive than me so I don't bother about it. Plagerizing and stealing and general dishonesty, that stinks.

Hi Cynthia, it does come round sooner or later, that's what leaves me scratching my head:)

Hi Michael, wow I am sorry to hear you are going through this. It's a pain in that we have to be looking over our shoulder more than I would like. Copyscape and some of the other tools out there make it a bit easier but it's too bad it is necessary. My most recent incident, she took her stuff down right after I emailed her. I know we don't live in a perfect world but I wonder about people's thought process at times! Good luck and thanks for commenting:)

Go get them! One thing though, I'm sensing you are holding back a bit...now one more time, this time with a little more feeling! LOL! I love it!

Ana,

Great post! I appreciate and respect your honesty. So sorry to hear people are trying to take advantage of you. Thanks for sharing!

LOL Tara, me?...Holding back? You know me too well:)

Hi Cara, thanks for commenting. Another lesson learned, filed for future reference and maybe just maybe a laugh or two down the road:)

I wonder if other businesses have competitors calling to try to get info? I'd like to think you'll get a lot farther (or at least be happier) if you operate your business in a fair and respectful manner. It's so silly what some competitors do... For example one stager claimed to be a member of the local chapter of IAHSP. She isn't. It's simple and easy to join and we'd love to have her. She was asked to join and got huffy. What was the point? I can't imagine she really gained anything from this...

Oh well, I wish you the best and I'm sure you'll continue to grow your business!

Ana- Wow, I love your posts. But really Ana, try saying what you feel!!! :) I totally agree with you. Work and having your own businees are hard enough without having to watch your back. I'm very open about what I do and what I charge. I decided long ago that I wasn't going to stress over being secretive; if someone took my info, they still had to do what they can't do and that is : BE ME. But, I agree with you, be open and honest. I love exchanging ideas etc.with fellow Stagers, which is one of the reasons I love ActiveRain.

Why don't you tell us what you really think?! LOL! I actually had someone (not call) but email me this week via my website... "My Literature Teacher asked us to do a project..... and we need to research what we really want to do.... I'm interested but not sure if it's for me....."

I politely emailed back (almost immediatly), "I would absolutely love to help you. Call my office tomorrow and set up an appointment when we can talk with my Assistant as I will be out of the office." Haven't heard back from her ;)

You go girlfriend!! It is sad though that you have to put up with this!!

PS-love your graphic!! :)

NOV

Hi Cathy B, I am sure it goes on with other businesses, there are always those who want to get ahead without putting in the effort or are so insecure in their place they need to squish others. Your example really makes one wonder what are these types thinking! Thanks and best wishes back at ya!:)

Hey Kathy thanks so much and you are so right, they can't be me, or you. so why the thought process behind doing this stuff? I also love the exchange here on AR, especially when readers put up with my rants!

Hi Connie, obviously I don't believe in the old saying "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything."!! I am sure you weren't surprised to not hear back from that one. Thanks for commenting:)

Hi Cathy, thanks for hearing my rant:) I hoped my graphic would get my points across!

Haaa! This is great Ana. I am right there with ya! You mean to say that staging is WORK? Really... Ithought it was just fun. PLEEEEZZZZE, I know that there are many people out there that may feel that staging is something that they may want to do... so I have developed a plan. If someone really wants to come and do a job shadow, I don't hold anything back. They are there at 7:00am picking and packing for the day's staging, they drive to the property and help unload everything... by this time they are asking when they get to eat breakfast.... by noon, 90% are gone with an "unexpected home emergency" phone call. It is much easier to sit back and copy someone else's website... but when the time comes to actively stage a job..... they freak and call us ;) What a joke.

Hi Ana,

I have noticed whenever someone wants to "pick my brain" they usually want to pick my pocket. Wouldn't it be nice if they'd just be more upfront about it.

Susan, that's good! ;-)

Ana, I hear you. I respect upfront and honest people, and working cooperatively. We all have something to gain by being professional and upholding standards in this business. Despite not growing up with an "abundance mentality", I try to remind myself that there is enough work for everyone and we each have something unique to offer.

Hi Lori, I LOVE how you think! Some folks view "work" as a four letter word. Too bad so sad:)

Hi Susan, you got that right! It would be nice. It benefits both sides all the way around.

Hi Deena, that's a super outlook on things and makes you successful at what you do. Time spent on negatives is wasted time:) Thanks for commenting.

NOV

OOoooooh, Lori, I LIKE that! I'm gping to do that from now on!

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