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This Post is Not About Cars

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Missy Caulk TEAM

Mini VanFor ten years in Ann Arbor, MI, I drove a mini van,  I hauled around my five kids to every sport imaginable. It was great to have all that extra space and be able to travel comfortably to visit the grandma's and grandpa's.

But, the kids grew up and I went into Real Estate and I wanted something a little more, shall we say professional to drive my clients around in and after ten years I was ready for a change.

I thought I wanted a Lincoln LX, it was a sedan and so I set up an appointment to drive one at the local Ford dealership. My husband and I had a little time and the Lexus dealership was right down the road so we decided to go in and "just look". What amazing service and warmth the dealership gave us. Gourmet coffee, homemade cookies. You felt like they cared about you as a person. So we casually looked around and then left for our appointment with the Ford dealer.

We arrive and are seated in a cubicle while he goes to supposedly get the car keys. In the course of a few minutes we are interrupted several times by salesmen asking our guy questions about this deal and that deal. He finally excuses himself to get the car. We wait and wait and wait. It was loud and a totally different atmosphere. When he comes back he tells us that the car is not there and we need to go over to another dealer about 5 miles down the road to drive one or he can have it there in a few days.Lincoln LS

Wait a minute, we made this appointment a week ago ?

My husband and I look at each other........we thought if this is how you are treated BEFORE you buy, what will the service be later. We immediately went back to the Lexus dealer and bought my first RX 300.  I am on my second one in 6 years.

I have ALWAYS gotten Excellent Customer Service at Lexus.  I have a consultant that I have worked with for all 6 years, Donna. Once the transmission blew at 99,000 miles,  I got a brand new one with no labor charges at all.

Lexus RX 300You might be thinking "What does this have to do about Real Estate ? Simple I tell my Buyer Agents to go visit a Lexus Dealership and then go visit any other dealership in town.  Experience the difference. How a person is treated and cared for at Lexus is how I want our clients on the Missy Caulk TEAM to be treated. I want them to feel cared for, pampered and become a client for life. I want the service we provide to be the best so that they will never consider buying or selling a house from anyone else.

The Pursuit of Excellence, does not mean, we are Perfect. I only know one Perfect Man and it is definately NOT me. I am not even close, but daily we try pursue it with all our heart. I have a great TEAM. They have all gone over and above for me with the crisis with my daughers car wreck.

I am very grateful for all the support and encouragement from all by Activerain Blogging Buddies. You have brought many smiles to my face and many to Allyssa's. The unexpected flowers from people I have never met has been amazing.

Treating our customers and clients with excellence is a goal that we set. After the closing we send out a client survey. We ask them to rate us on 1) call backs 2) marketing 3) What was your most enjoyable part of the experience 4) What can we do to improve?  By sending them the survey with a stamped pre-paid envelope we get the majority back. Our strive for Excellence is getting all 4's. If we don't we evaluate and try to figure out what we could have done better.

How do you pamper or treat your clients ? Are you striving for Excellence in your business ? Are you learning from the difficult experiences ? Adjusting and making changes ?

 

Posted by

 

Missy Caulk, Ann Arbor Realtor

Missy Caulk, Broker/Owner of Savvy Realty Group can be reached at 734-926-9797 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

Our Team of 6 agents are available to help you relocate to Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Milan, Ypsilanti Township, Clinton, Manchester, Whitmore Lake, or throughout Washtenaw County, MI.

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Stay strong, stay faithful, stay honest, stay loving, stay true to who you are, most importantly stay true to who God is as you'll be who you are, and you'll be happy, you'll be you, you'll be free. -Jamie Caulk

 

Comments(78)

Paula Henry
Home to Indy Team @ HomeSmart Realty Group - Avon, IN
Realtor - Indianapolis Real Estate - 317-605-4174

Missy - Your client care attitude is exactly what people want. It sounds like you have mastered the art. Who knew Lexus could do that for real estate:)

I am looking to get a new auto and will check them out.

Congrats on the gold star!

Jul 26, 2007 08:20 AM
Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead
Great post Missy! I love your pursuit of excellence. You're right, we're not perfect, that's why the word "pursuit" is the one to focus on. If we honestly put all our effort into pursuing excellence, we WILL stand out above the rest. It's funny how easy our "competitors" make it for us just to be "above average" isn't it? What do we get when we pursue excellence? FAR above average for sure. Not perfect, by any means, but the effort is what is seen and appreciated.
Jul 26, 2007 08:30 AM
Laura Moore Godek
Laura Moore Godek, PC - McHenry, IL
Great point
Jul 26, 2007 08:49 AM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Missy,

"I also ask at the bottom if I  can use their comments so I have permission to use it on my web sites and marketing materials."

Another great idea!  Congratulations on the gold star. 

Jul 26, 2007 10:25 AM
Wayne McMullan
Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty - Belleville, ON
Quinte Real Estate
Missy, great post. Far too often we experience service which is unacceptable but when the service is exceptionable we tend to remember it and keep going back for more. The same thing applies in our industry - not only will they come back but they will recommend you to others when the service is above the rest.
Jul 26, 2007 11:54 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Laura, I like it about the sign on their heads, saying make me feel special.

Teri, good service IS what it is about and if we feel that way, you know OUR buyers and sellers do.

Jeff, thanks for stopping by, appreciate your comments.

Jul 26, 2007 12:25 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

George, I didn't know that about Nordrsrtom's.  I knew they took back ANYTHING even a year later with no hassle. Thanks !

Gary, I know they don't have a lock on good service but it is an example I use for my Buyer Agents, glad you have found it too.

Thesa, thanks !

Celeste your neighbor AND a client for life !!

Jul 26, 2007 12:29 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Karen, it does get frustrating when they decide to keep looking but they don't have to know it, right ?

Bryant, I always appreciate a comment from blog boy. I have tried many builders I have worked with to under promise and over produce. Why can't they get it ? I want to create a WOW experience from my clients.

Paula, I am still trying to wow them, we do the best we can and try to improve on each transaction.

Ryan, you are correct the emphasis is on the PURSUIT............thanks.

Jul 26, 2007 12:34 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Laura, :)

Rita, it is the best way to ask for testimonials.

Wayne, YOU GOT IT !! I want more than one transaction with my clients.

Jul 26, 2007 12:35 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes
Good post. Customer service is so important.
Jul 26, 2007 04:54 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Bob and Carolin, :)

Jul 26, 2007 10:37 PM
Dom Naidoo
Westside Properties - Venice, CA
Malibu to the Marina Real Estate
excellent post Missy! I truly agree. I treat all of my clients with the same care and concern after the transaction as I do before opening their transaction.
Jul 27, 2007 07:58 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Dominic, you are very smart !!
Jul 27, 2007 09:07 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Missy...

Oh. My Goodness. After reading all of this there's not much left to say except I can relate to what Chris G said. It is amazing to me that there are actually salespeople in this world that believe I need a man standing next to me to make a decision. Pah-Leeze :)

I have one leg in the pants at all times. But don't tell Blog Boy. I have done some serious 'customer care' on him. So serious in fact, that the he actually believes he's the Boss :)

Good Customer Service gets you exactly what you want. They always come back for more :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jul 28, 2007 04:19 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

TLW,

Let us know what customer care you have done on blog boy ?  I need some lessons !!! Actually Mike and I will have been married 30 years on Aug 12th so we have worked out all the issues. He just laughs because he knows it irritates me.

Jul 28, 2007 05:13 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

LOL...Trust me. You don't want me to go there on your blog :)

Congrats on being married for 30 years.

That is quite an accomplishment in today's society of 'Don't like it? Divorce me! :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jul 28, 2007 06:38 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
I thought about that after I hit reply ! LOL
Jul 28, 2007 08:28 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Loved this Post, and the comments.  Too many times people just give lip service to the phrase, and forget about what it takes to actually perform.  Not much really, courtesy and respect go a long way.  the homemade cookies and gourmet coffee didn't hurt any though :)
Aug 05, 2007 07:24 AM
Debbie Johnson
REMERICA United Realty - Novi, MI
Novi, MI Real Estate Professional

Hi Missy,

Great example of great customer service.  I am always striving to "pleasantly surprise" my clients with service that the next Realtor doesn't provide. 

Aug 05, 2007 07:47 AM
Eric Egeland
RE/MAX SUBURBAN - Libertyville, IL
SFR, e-PRO, CDPE

Thanks for the post Missy.

That is really a great analogy....people want the best

Aug 04, 2008 08:23 AM