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Want to Learn How To Treat Clients? Take Your Notebook To a Nice Restaurant!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Coastal Properties BROK.995683208

 After a rather "interesting week in real estate world" the wife and I were in desperate need of a treat. Thanks to my teenage daughter needing prom dress money, we had an eager babysitter for the rest of the tribe.

  In my small town entertainment options involve either killing animals or eating them. Not wanting to get my nice shoes dirty, we opted for the nice restaurant. Bambi gets to live another day...

  What do a lunar eclipe and great customer service have in common? Both are pretty rare in my market. Until smoking was FINALLY banned a few years back, it was not uncommon to wait for service until the waitstaff finished off the last of the Camel Filters...

  Today was the exception. I have never experienced this level of service outside of a Disney theme park. So what lessons can a struggling real estate agent gleam from the other side of the table???

1) Capture your prospect-- Our waitress greeted us at the door. She made eye contact and politely directed us to our table. Do you think she would wait 48 hrs to return a phone call?

2) Know Your Product-- Like most other Lee Greenwood fans all I know about sushi is that it involves fish of some sort. Sensing my ignorance, our server took the time to find out what foods I liked. She then recommended three dishes (Tuna sushi is amazing btw). Can you explain the difference between a condo and a townhouse??

3) Keep Things moving-- Just as my Miso Soup was consumed here comes my beef yakitori. The funny thing was that other tables were not experiencing this level of service. Why did our food arrive on time? Because our server was keeping the kitchen staff moving. Sounds kind of like what we do!

4) Guard Your Money-- For some reason I had a large bill in my wallet. It would have been easy (and quicker) to return large bills as change. Imagine my surprise when the folder returned with enough one's to make a stripper giggle! What guy wants to stuff a bunch of ones in his billfold? She knew what she was doing.

  Please don't envision me as some Donald Trump type spender. Frankly the first time I read A Christmas Carol I though Scrooge was a little too loose with his money. But leaving the restaurant I did not contemplate the large tip I left. Our server earned her money. This week I will endeavor to do the same!

Posted by

Searching for a Top real estate agent in Destin Florida ? Need help selling your Emerald Cost home? Either way call Doug today!

Doug Rogers

Real Estate Agent 

RE/MAX Coastal Properties 

Destin Florida 32541

 

 

(318) 613-1994

 Equal opportunity housing. Doug Rogers is a licensed real estate professional in Florida and Louisiana. Each office independently owned and operated

 

 

 

Comments (12)

Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

This is nothing like great customer service... It makes you want to reward the person who goes the extra mile to make your meal (or real estate) deal enjoyable.

Jan 15, 2011 02:53 PM
Jeramie Vaine
Century 21 Carioti - Orlando, FL

That is a very great comparison, I am going to follow in this blog and your foot steps.  Focus on top notch customer service, restaurant style.  Sometimes the little things such as eye contact and being personable seals the deal!

Jan 15, 2011 02:56 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

You really focus on how you can provide good service when you receive good service yourself.

Jan 15, 2011 02:58 PM
Christie Lane Craven
Blackwell Real Estate - Odenton, MD
Your Anne Arundel County Agent

Doug-   I always maintain my years as a server and bartender will be an asset to my real estate career!  You meet many different types of people and you only have one shot at impressing them.  Also.. you only get paid if the 'deal' is done right :)

Jan 15, 2011 02:58 PM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

Thanks for the comments guys! Some agents get so caughtup in discounting our service that we discount our service.

Jan 15, 2011 03:04 PM
Lori Mode
The Mode Real Estate Group - Elk Grove, CA
Real Estate Made Simple

Doug - being service oriented in our business is just as important as it is in the restaurant business.  I bet your return to that restaurant again because of the level of service also!

Jan 15, 2011 03:08 PM
Marilyn Boudreaux
Marilyn Boudreaux, Century 21 Bono Realty - Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles LA Century 21 Realtor

branding and setting yourself apart from the rest of the pack will go a long way.

great example Doug and hope you had a nice evening :)

Jan 15, 2011 03:18 PM
Frank Castaldini
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in San Francisco

Nice little story.  Sounds like you've learned a big lesson for a few bucks.  Go for it.

Jan 15, 2011 03:21 PM
David Beckham
Realty Executives Bayou Properties - Alexandria, LA
Your Louisiana Real Estate Connection

Doug great customer service goes a long way. A restaurant server can teach all agents a good lesson in customer service.

Jan 15, 2011 05:15 PM
Charles Edwards Bentonville
Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR
AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Very well! This is so true. Customer service is a dying art...sadly.

Jan 16, 2011 02:55 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

Food for thought.

Jan 16, 2011 07:14 AM
Kim Dean
www.GoSimplyTexas.com - McKinney, TX
Simply Texas Real Estate - Broker/Owner

Doug - you had me laughing and I really enjoy your writing style. And, thanks to YOU, I think I will attempt to pursuade my hubby to take me to get some shush. He hates the stuff...but a girl can try, right?

It really makes my day when I get great customer service, and your post is a great reminder that we have one of the ultimate customer service jobs.

Have a great 2011!

Jan 16, 2011 08:21 AM