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A Promise That Should NEVER have been made......

By
Home Stager with Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island #888

Long ago during my Feng Shui Classes and through all the years after, I have NEVER promised a client we can create exactly what they want to come about from a Feng Shui Consultation.  We CAN promise to change the Energy but nothing more.  Clients without a thorough understanding of what Feng Shui entails should investigate more prior to booking a consultation and I always recommend they look for someone who is Certified (many people aren't aware anyone can read a book on Feng Shui and call themselves a Feng Shui Consultant).  I have also seen lately that people "stretch" the number of years they have been practicing....

Unfair.  To the clients and this is NOT ethical behavior.  Unfortunately, clients do not think to check the information and sometimes book a consultation when they are coming from a place of desperation, the worst time to get the BEST results.  I am NOT saying it won't help, it very well may, but promises should NEVER be made.  If you ever decide to get a consultation and are promised the results you want, RUN, don't walk.  It's just not possible.

Today was disturbing for me as I received three calls from the same potential client.  I spent quite a bit of time talking to her and could clearly see this woman was desperate for a "quick fix" to a distressing situation she was going through.  While I was explaining to her how I practiced, what I incorporate and that we never promise "cures" for problems, she said that's not what another consultant had told her.  According to this woman, she had been promised that things would change for her and what she wanted to happen would if she booked a consultation.  I was very upset to hear this. 

People don't always book under the best of circumstances, in fact quite often that is exactly why they will call and they should.  But coming from a desperate place and looking for an overnight miracle is not likely to happen.  I don't know who she spoke to and I don't want to.  I DO know that for the most part, Feng Shui Consultants that are Certified have achieved a level of learning in much more depth than anyone can learn from a book and they truly do want to help their clients but this is, unfortunately, not the first time I have heard some outrageous claims.  Promising a particular outcome to a client is wrong by any standards. 

It saddens me that to many, Feng Shui has become a BUSINESS, plain and simple.  And it's become, for a few, all about the money.  They don't take follow ups from clients or only a limited amount is permitted for follow ups.  Which means if your terrific client gets that wonderful new job just a little late, the consultant will never hear about it.  Because their "follow-up" time has run out.....I hope my clients keep in contact with me for years to come and call me with further questions no matter how much time has elapsed.  I want to hear EVERYTHING and more often then not, it's some WONDERFUL news.  I can't help but wonder if much of what Feng Shui started out to be is lost....

The woman?  She called back the consultant who PROMISED HER THE RESULTS SHE WANTS.  I sure hope she gets them, but somehow I doubt she will.  And more damage will be done.  Book carefully, check schools and don't be afraid to grill someone you are inviting into your home or business AND your personal life.

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

 

 

Posted by

 

Laura Cerrano is a second-generation Certified New York City Feng Shui Consultant Expert. As a full-time Feng Shui consultant, Laura provides bicoastal consultations and workshops for residential, commercial, real estate developments, Fortune 500 companies and healing faculties. In addition, Laura is a resident teacher at the Metropolitan Institute of Design in Syosset, NY. She has been featured in highly respected publications and TV networks such as Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," PBS, CBC Television, BBC Radio and The New York Times. 

 

Comments(11)

Nicole Garner
Not Available - Tigard, OR
So true...people promise things even though they don't know if they are possible just to get the job or whatever it may be.
Aug 27, 2007 02:50 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
And...it's the same in most businesses...Our client's deserve the care before, during and after any transaction and that's what will bring a wonderful relationship to bring not only future business but lifelong friends as well.
Aug 27, 2007 03:00 PM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO
Yikes, Carole.  It's really unsettling to know (after reading your genuine, heart felt blogs) that there are people in your area of expertise that might take advantage.  Just ridiculous.  With any real estate sales, or inspection, or STAGING, it's important to offer (and check) references.  Those in Feng Shui that are offering an unrealistic solution will disappear- REAL ESTATE IS A REFERRAL BUSINESS, don't you think??
Aug 27, 2007 03:03 PM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Carole, sometimes being honest doesn't  work the way we are hoping it would (at the time)  when trying for a listing or in your situation, a consultation.

The same thing happened to me a week or so ago. I was called on a listing appointment, and the people  had an inflated view of the value of their  home (which still needed a lot of work) . They told me they were  interviewing three people for the listing. I told them I had to be honest  with regards to the value ( honesty is very big with me and I am always honest) and the value I gave them was less than the  perceived value that they  had  placed on their home. They  called me the next day and said they were listing with someone who had given them a much higher value than what I had.  I'm just as glad because I do not want an overpriced listing......they are a lot of work and I would rather be putting energy into other clients. 

I do feel that honesty is the best policy and in the end it saves us everytime......usually from a lot of wasted energy working with someone we were never meant to work with.  Like they say 'the truth will set you free..'

Jo 

Aug 27, 2007 03:20 PM
Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes
We live in a candy machine world. Put the money in and the result(paid for) is expected. When that doesn't materialize the result is anger. Since it has to be directed somewhere the machine might get a kick or two. Ouch! That client will find that more and more will go badly for her because of the negative energy she brings to herself. You can only be who you are.  Honest and above all that silly stuff.
Aug 27, 2007 03:30 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
I agree with Lizette Carole, call it karma or anything you want, but what you put out into the universe, definately comes back to you.  A great lesson in your post tonight, thanks for sharing it with us! :-)
Aug 27, 2007 06:26 PM
David M. Childress
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Akron, OH
I would love to be your Realtor® in Akron Ohio!

Hello Carole,

I thought your key word was "promise"! How can a real professional promise our clients anything? It is hard to tell our prospective clients that we cannot promise them the results they want, You "peace: we, "sold".

I would rather lose a listing by telling the truth than fool them with false promises. Usually, I get them back anyway, after the "charlatan" has failed them. Resist temptation, as Carole says folks, if you can't deliver what they they think they want, leave them!

David

Aug 27, 2007 06:54 PM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Hi Carole,
People in desperate situations do not usually want to hear the truth when it is not the answer they are looking for.  

Promises are dangerous in most situations because most things are out of our control.  

Good post.  Thank you. 

Aug 27, 2007 10:46 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Nicole, You are absolutely right, no one in almost ANY business can absolutely guarantee results to come out to a client's exact expectations.  Particularly in Feng Shui. By doing so this consultant may not realize she may be causing damage to this client.   Thank you for your comment.

Sally, Thank you.  I have been fortunate as well to have many life long friends that began as clients.  And they all started with a phone call and my being HONEST with them.  I think most people appreciate the truth, not a deception.  In this particular case when the client does not get what she was "promised" she is likely to sink even lower; these practices make me very unhappy.

Laurie, Thank you for your lovely comment.  It is sad to think that money is the dominating factor in why some people may be going into this "business."  Some consultants charge exorbitant rates and I have to wonder who that helps?  The average person can't afford it so it only benefits the rich :(

Jo, I used to think clients came our way for a reason and I still do for the most part.  But you're absolutely right, I was not meant to work with this particular one as she needs to be coming from a better place to get the best results.  I don't think that she liked hearing that, I spent over the course of the day much more then an hour speaking with her but she (sadly) apparently did not hear me.  Nor did those people that did not accept your honest evaluation of their home. 

Lizette, great analogy and unfortunately I think you are right.  This is not the time for her to be seeking a "magical cure" and someone certainly shouldn't have promised her one.  I know that people often get "stuck" and I can help with that but not when they are desperate for a solution and will believe what someone tells them because that is what they want to hear. 

Brad, Thank you for your comment.  This woman is too "down" right now to look at the bright things or the possible silver lining.  And sometimes it's difficult.....always a good time to turn things over to the Universe which we should be doing anyway. 

David, I couldn't agree with you more.  But the potential for harm to this already discouraged person is what has me most concerned.  She will get her hopes up and then if she doesn't get exactly what she wanted she may fall into a depression....Conducting ourselves in any business with some heart and honesty is the best way we can truly help our clients.  Thank you for your kind comment.

Cynthia, Thank you so much, you put it better then I did.  We don't have control over what happens after a Consultation, we can do the best possible job to open up the Energy in a positive direction but that direction is not always what the client wants or expects....and to promise someone something that is out of their control is potentially harmful.  I am glad I don't know who the consultant is!

Aug 28, 2007 01:54 AM
Donna Yates
BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Mountains
Carole:  I applaud your ethics!  I believe you serve your clients much better in the long run by doing what you said.  Also, I too, like to make relationships with my clients long term and some have even become good friends.  Interesting post.  (Thank you adding me as an Associate, I have done the same and I happy to have you as an Associate).
Sep 03, 2007 06:12 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Hi Donna, Thank you for your lovely comment.  It's odd that I have a feeling I'm going to hear back from her at some point although she used another consultant.  She is going to realize that I told her something she did not want to hear, The Truth.  But I certainly wish the best for her. 
Sep 03, 2007 08:25 AM