Having a neutral place to meet, and having a place to charge your laptop almost makes up for over-roasted, overpriced, over rated.

I won't spend the money they want on a coffee anymore, but when I used to they were always consistant. To me consistancy is "muy impotante", not just with coffee but also in business!

i start my day at starbucks, i spend about an hour there check my e-mail active rain ect always have my century 21 pin on i have people ask me questions all the time and have had about 5-6 referalls from there alittle secret though i like dunkin doughnuts but i get the business at starbucks

We like to do that as well on the east coast.  The setting is much more personal and informal.  The clients seem to relax a little more.

I'd like to thank those of you who support Starbucks daily, so I can indulge on occasion. Keep up the good work!

Sam

John,

Stop with the Dunkin Doghnuts. There are no Dunkin Doughnuts in San Diego. I havn't had any of those delcious treats for over 5 years. I have met many new leads at Starbucks but don't let everyone know we won't be able to get a seat and an outlet. The C21 pin is a great idea. Be seen!!!

Mike 

Michael,

Yeah it really puts a client at ease. It's familiar territory for them. The office is a bad place to meet it can be intimidating to a buyer.

Mike

I'm sitting here at Starbucks in shorts and a San Diego Gulls hat someone just came over and asked me if I was a real estate agent. I told him yes. He was a lender and we exchanged cards. Networking in the real world, I LOVE IT!

IT'S THE BEST $1.95 YOU'LL SPEND TO MEET CLIENTS.

Jim,

It's not overpriced if you consider it as rent for 3 to 4 hours. Think about it.

Mike 

Mike,

Starbucks is a great place like you say to meet people and network.  Truth be told, some may not like Starbucks for whatever reason, however, if you see who their clientele and demographic is, don't we want to connect with these people?  Especially in the morning, a lot of business professionals are regulars and it's good to not only network with them but the baristas (employees) as well.  Just like the hairdressers, barbers, and others that come into contact with many people a day, the baristas at Starbucks would be a great advocate for Realtors®!

Chris,

Yes, I think that any place where you can be out in your community works. People coming in to buy stuff or the people that work there. Thats a great point.

Mike "Semper Fi"

Chris,

By the way what is baristas? Is that Spanish.

Mike

John,

I too start my day at Starbucks and sometime The Coffee Bean.

Mike

John, we often give away Starbucks cards for our realtor tour incentives. You wouldn't believe how many agents will come out for a Starbucks card!

Diane,

I love Starbucks cards. I just gotta swipey swipey for a good cup o joe. The make great closing gifts in goodie baskets.

Mike

I loved Starbucks when I was a coffeeholic. I quit coffee 4 years ago and whenever I go into Starbucks now, I get a headache. I still do business there though. I meet alot of clients for the Starbucks there and Starbucks is so easy to locate (at every street corner) so, it's easy to make it a meeting point)!

Loreena,

Yes it is a great spot to meet and soooo convenient.

Mike

Loreena,

Try leaving a business card at the cream and sugar counter.

Mike

Lorrena,

Another cup o joe another opportunity to meet a new client.

Mike

Diane,

Closing gifts are great to give like the Starbucks card. Starbucks is the new town center of the old west. Use it to your advantage.

Mike Lewis

Hi Mike, I don't go to Starbucks because I am not a big coffee person but it might be a good place for me to go, meet people and start networking.  Thanks for the idea!

Roberta,

I wouldn't steer you wrong. Give it a try get out of your office and into your community. Good Luck.

Mike Lewis

Good post.  I like Starbucks too, but for more than their drinks.   The local Starbucks gives me a couple free gift certificates everytime I buy 10 or more at once to give out to customers, realtors, etc. 

I love Starbucks also, a tall Caramel Macciato, (not there right now, can't see the menu to spell it), I think its the best place to meet clients or to just stop for a break sometimes. And also great for gifts.

Seth,

Thats great. I love those freebies too!

Mike Lewis

Sherry,

It's all three and more. Love that Starucks coffee house office of mine.

Mike Lewis

Starbucks is not a first choice of mine, but their locations do generally provide a great location for getting some work done that's also condusive to having clients notice you.  Hence, I tend to set up shop in Starbucks more often than not.

GREAT POST!  I hired my entire staff and my first agents last year at Starbucks! 

Rob,

It's like having an office on every corner. Locations are great.

Mike Lewis

Jason,

You're here in San Diego too. I can't tell you how convenient Starbucks are for plugging in and meeting clients. I thing the realtor.com model is a good one and should do well here in san Diego. The old model will slowely but surely crumble. The big brokers are way too heavy and slow moving. I'll look for you in the community. Good luck.

Mike Lewis

Rob,

I'm setup camp in my neighborhood Starbucks now and just blogging away. Rents cheap and service is great.

Mike Lewis

I love Starbucks but I love Panera even more as they have free internet there but at Starbucks you have to pay.

THX Mike.  I'll look for you out and about and hopefully see you on the other side of some business!  And it's realestate.com...not realtor.com!  But I get that all the time.  By the way, in anticipation of a summer vacation I got a wireless broadband card.  Don't know how I lived without it! 

I don't drink coffee but love to hang out and get work done in coffee places. One local one is becoming a regular office for me. And if people recognize me or have questions or need a place to meet all the better.

Jason,

I knew that - Sorry. Love the wireless and the technology. I just ordered my wife the Lenovo Tablet for signing contracts without the paperwork. I think this will work out well with the "work out of the office" plan.

Mike Lewis

Hi Mike... yummy post!  I always meet my REAs there and many times give them a Starbucks Card to thank them for using me.

Off hand, I can count 4 Starbucks in Aventura, Florida and they are all crawling with local realtors. There is one off Biscayne Blvd. that is particularly a business hang out. Most hours you can't get a seat but when you do the tables and chairs outside are quite nice to take in the sun and greet an appt. Also, you should try the seasonal drinks, the pumpkin latte is yummy.:) 

Mike, Our Starbucks are packed with Realtors too. I like and drink the coffee, but I don't hang out there. Our office has really nice client rooms, so we just take cleints there.

Carlos,

I love Panera too.

Mike Lewis

Dena,

I have one thats a daily place for me as well. I get so much work done there without the office politics.

Mike Lewis

Lori,

Great place to meet and it is yummy too!

Lisa,

pumpkin latte - I'll try it!

Ryan,

Nice client rooms are nice but when you're not with clients signing contracts is a nice casual place to work right where your community is.

Mike Lewis

Back home we have the WAFFLE HOUSE which is my office away from my office. DUH does that make sense?

It's a great place to network while grabbing something tasty.

Keisha,

I bought my wife a Starbucks espresso maker for her birthday. Quite pricy but worth it. The tasty treets I'm making are worth every penny.

Mike Lewis

Starbucks going back to their original look and feel. I like the green logo better.