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Do all people Suck?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Hub Media Company

In my line of work I am asked from time to time for referrals to vendors (painters, roofers, lenders, landscapers, you name it....I've been asked)  It doesn't happen often but when it does, I make sure that I refer someone that will get the job done.  A few weeks ago, a good client of mine asked for a referral to a vendor as he was making some changes in his business for 2010.  I referred him 2 different people that I felt could help him.  I found out yesterday that while they promised the world, (who doesn't right) they didn't deliver.  Later in the day as my client and I traded text messages about the referrals, (mine were apologizing for his experience, his were asking if all people suck?".)  It got me thinking.....Do All People Suck?  I pride myself on giving a superior level of service; its because of the service that I strive to provide that its especially noticeable when someone else drops the ball....it hurts.  Do all people Suck? 

 

Its unfortunate but I expect someone to let me down or not follow through until they prove me different.  Isn't that Sad?  I actually expect someone to FAIL!  To my surprise, my client felt the same way,...... he had also been let down countless times and was just looking for someone that would just follow through as expected.  In the Real Estate industry we see all kinds of designations on business cards....ABR, CRS, GRI, EPRO, CDPE the list goes on and on.  Do any of these designations guarantee a level of service? That you will do as you say? Nope.  Doesnt it make sense to have a service designation in a service industry like Real Estate? 

 

I have an idea,...how about a new designation the "I Don't Suck".  The "I Dont Suck" designation would let everyone know that you are the creme of the crop in what you do. That you have the stamp of approval from others that have worked with you. That you can be counted on to do as you say. Sounds like basic requirements to be in business, sadly its not.

What should the basic requirements be?  90 hours of class instruction? A proven record of delivering on past commitments?  Letters of recommendation from past clients?  A high score from a secret shopper? Written Test? You must have a relentless approach to your clients needs and care.

The number 1 complaint in the real estate industry (Realtors, Escrow, Title, Lending) is lack of communication.  In a service occupation like real estate many fail to provide the most basic service....Communication. 

 

So being the marketing guy that I am I thought, I should form a new marketing campaign.....

We are 6 days into the New Year, many have made their New Years resolutions and most have already given up.  Because its customary to make changes every year, maybe now is the time to explore a change in Title Company? Specifically a title rep that believes in the concept of "I Don't Suck!"

That's it........I am hereby announcing that "I Don't Suck!"

 

What this means to you....

I will routinely under promise and over deliver

I will check in routinely with updates (even if there is nothing to report)

I will promise something in 1 hour, knowing I can deliver within 10 minutes

I will ask for feedback...How can I get better?

I will Guarantee a pleasant experience.

and most importantly, I will Guarantee to Do As I Say.


That's it. Who wants to stand up and say "I Don't Suck!" with me?

 

If you are in the Phoenix Metro area, are a Realtor, Lender or Investor, have been let down numerous times and are ready for a change, lets talk. 

 

         My name is Stephen "MyTitleGuy" Garner and "I Don't Suck!"= I.D.S.

Oh yea, before you get all upset about the use of the word "Suck", please read:

Suck It Up A defense of the much-maligned word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments (146)

Brian Morgenweck
Power Realty Group, LLC Bergen County, NJ - Hackensack, NJ
Broker/Owner, GRI, CRS, ABR, SRS

Hey Bob,

Where were you in '92 when Ross Perot was running for the Presidency? He could've used your advice on his biggest tag line ("That Giant SUCKING Sound") & may very well have nailed the election in its absence. Now, by "nailed", I don't mean....Ahhh, forget it.

Cheers!

Brian again...

 

 

Jan 07, 2010 01:46 PM
Steven Norman
Repairs by Norman - Surprise, AZ

I gotta agree with Bob.  Not a very professional designation, and I'm just a dumb working man...  Even more offensive to me is Stephen's total lack of care regarding grammar!  If "You Don't Suck" as you claim, perhaps you could give spell check a try...  Active Rain does have one.  I know this because I used it to write this comment...  And for crying out loud, put the apostrophe in the word "didn't!"  Not very professional...

Jan 07, 2010 01:59 PM
Morgan Mason
The Outer Banks Real Estate Company LLC - Southern Shores, NC
Outer Banks Beach Houses for Sale

I appreciate the time you took to write this blog entry, Stephen.  But I don't understand.  A large part of my customer service function is to carefully select and monitor the vendors I recommend to my clients.  And I always recommend at least 2 for any service.  Frankly, I have not felt it necessary to go off on any of them.  Just lucky?  Maybe.  Hmmm.....

Jan 07, 2010 02:05 PM
Stephen Garner
Hub Media Company - Tempe, AZ
Hub Media Company

#132 Steven, sorry but the phone has a mind of its own. I understand what an effect poor grammar can have, I will double check next time.  As a college graduate I can tell you its the phone not me.  Thanks again. @Morgan, I did recommend 2 of this particular vendor. This post was born after both of them let the cient down. Hence the name of the post. Thank you for the comment.

Jan 07, 2010 02:13 PM
Brian Morgenweck
Power Realty Group, LLC Bergen County, NJ - Hackensack, NJ
Broker/Owner, GRI, CRS, ABR, SRS

Hey Repairman!

You forgot to close quotes on "Didn't". I guess your spell check sucks.

I'm just sayin'...

Wait a minute!...Were you one of Mr. Garner's referrals? It's all getting clearer now...

You're a great crowd! G'night! Try the veal. It doesn't suck!

Brian

Jan 07, 2010 02:14 PM
Steven Norman
Repairs by Norman - Surprise, AZ

Hey Brian - Funny man!!  It's only a spell check, not a grammar check, and I missed my punctuation mistake.  You got me!  Still doesn't explain a "college graduate" writing like my 10 year old...

Whatever...

Jan 07, 2010 02:30 PM
Ted Canto
American Mortgage Network - Chandler, AZ
Arizonan #1 Mortgage Lender

Well I guess I wasn't the referral.  Well I knew that because you would of told me and besides, IDS!

Jan 07, 2010 02:31 PM
Monica Murphy
Preferred Staging, LLC - Potomac Falls, VA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA

Great post!  Love it!  Almost sounds like a 12-step program...  Hi, my name is Monica Murphy, and I Don't Suck.  See you in the IDS group!

Jan 07, 2010 03:15 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

IDS - It would be quite a designation to explain at the end of a long string of alphabet letters.  Too bad, it's almost sad instead of comical that such a thing would be necessary.

Jan 07, 2010 03:22 PM
Patricia Harris
Celtic Realty - Dunedin, FL

Grammar, spell checks, criticisms...calling people "unprofessional"   there sure are a lot of "angry" folks out there....lighten up.  This is a funny post!  Geez....

Jan 07, 2010 11:06 PM
Margaret Mitchell
Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty - York, ME
Seacoast Maine & NH Real Estate

Hmm.. IDS is not clear.  It could be Do or Don't.  As for me, there are some days that I think ...  Well, I will leave that vague.  Stephen, I enjoyed your comment with the link to the Slate.  Well written article.

Jan 07, 2010 11:07 PM
Sue Wettstein Brazzel & Dipper Wettstein
Howard County, MD - RE/MAX 100 - Columbia MD - Columbia, MD
"Fast, Efficient, Hassle-Free Service!"

Sue Wettstein Brazzel, IDS

Jan 07, 2010 11:28 PM
Stephen Garner
Hub Media Company - Tempe, AZ
Hub Media Company

Stephen "MyTitleGuy" Garner, I.D.S.!

Realtors: Can you imagine,  "Ask me about a free CMA and IDS!" ROFL.

Jan 07, 2010 11:34 PM
Lyn Sims and the Blog Dog
Streamwood, Elgin IL Real Estate - RE/MAX Suburban - Bartlett, IL

I DON'T SUCK!  Let me know if there will be a membership fee (very moderate please, less than a buck) for my IDS certification.  Good post, I usually have good expectations of people and rarely am I disappointed.  I will say that the 'perfectionists' of the world spend alot of time telling other people they suck.  Life is not perfect and your one phrase made me think of that from your referral client.  Are you sure this person actually knew what he wanted?  Maybe it wasn't possible & he was disappointed being told so?  Does that make the person suck?  Just wondering.

Jan 08, 2010 04:32 AM
Paul C. Wilkinson
CENTURY 21 Preferred - Menifee, CA
GRI, REALTOR -Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula - (951)

I have found that vendors I have used in the past over and over start feeling so comfortable with me that they feel like they don't have to NOT SUCK when they are calling or dealing with a referral I have sent them.  It's at that point I have to update my referral list.

Jan 08, 2010 04:46 AM
Dawn Bahr
HomeSmart Elite Group - Mesa, AZ
Raising the Bahr in Real Estate

Stephen, awesome post and look at all the response.  I love Activerain...what a great place for discussions.  Sign me up for that class!

Jan 08, 2010 06:41 AM
Joy Carter & Jeff Booker Brother and Sister Team
Keller Williams Parkland/Coral Springs Realty-GreatFloridaHomes Team - Coral Springs, FL
Trust Your Family's Move To Our Expertise!

I would pay for that Designation......as long as I could be on the POLICE Committee, because we pay for a real estate license and too many agents SUCK regardless of fees. (There are a lot of good agents....just not enough of them).

I'd LOVE to Believe that I am without fault....I also want to win the lottery.

The difference is in those that recognize their faults and keep trying, and those that just believe there is nothing to improve on. 

If it was easy.....EVERYONE would be doing it!   Joy

Jan 08, 2010 03:18 PM
Stephen Garner
Hub Media Company - Tempe, AZ
Hub Media Company

Dawn, Welcome to IDS.  Hey everyone, Dawn is a long time client of mine and She Actually Doesn't Suck! (SADS)

Jan 09, 2010 12:38 AM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

Very tongue in cheek.  Hmmm, does that result in a sucking noise?

Jan 09, 2010 01:53 AM
Dana Devine
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Apollo Beach, FL

well i joined and isn't IDS being used by American Express/IDS? they use it any more...is there a statue of limitations, so now we can use it?

now for a true story...a buyer ask me where to get home owners insurance so i gave him( I did NOT recommend) the name and number how has my house insured. the buyer called the insurance agent and she did not return the buyer phone call. the buyer called the president of my company to complain the the "recommendation" i gave he was not returning his call. I got called in to the home office for this,,,this burnt me on recommending other vendors

Jan 13, 2010 11:07 PM