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The lost art of the Thank You Note!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with The Larsen Protection Team

The lost art of the Thank You Note!

I just leased a new car yesterday and was wondering, what kind of follow up will I see from that car dealer?

Think about your own purchases this past year - a stove or dryer, maybe a couch or TV? You know those places that have 5-6 salespeople, who take turns being "up" when the next person walks through the door. When was the last time you received a Thank You note from any of them?

I am telling you this is a lost art. I have not received a Thank You note in a few years and I have bought some stuff over these years. These "salespeople" work on the sameness plane, each following in each others footsteps and not doing anything to seperate themselves from their co-workers.

So how about you? Do you do something different than your co-workers in your office?

I know nobody in the insurance industry is sending out a Thank You card so we do. Then we send out a Welcom Kit, welcoming them to our agency.

There have been studies done that say you have 21 days after a purchase, where someone still has a positive feeling about doing business with you. So you need to take advantage of the 21 day "window" and do something to overwhelm them.

Believe me, you competition isn't doing this. I have yet to recieve a Thank you card!

Posted by

Tom Larsen,

Buffalo insurance expert

You'll Switch for the savings, stay for the service!

Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

You are correct! My insurance agent sold his business to someone new almost a year ago, and the new person hasn't reached out to me yet! Maybe I need a new agent.

Jul 24, 2011 01:26 AM
Steve, Joel & Steve A. Chain
Chain Real Estate Investments & Mortgage, Steve & Joel Chain - Cottonwood, CA

Tom,

My wife is amazing at followup. The feedback she gets from her cards or e-cards speaks volumes.

Best,

Steve

Jul 24, 2011 01:36 AM
Dan Hopper
Dan Hopper - Gold Way RE - Westminster, CO
Colorado Broker / Referral Services

Very good point about the most simple response, a Thank You.   The "thank you" should be a simple common response to someone who has just used your business to acquire a product or a service.  Using the thank you notes is a great way to appreciate them, and get MORE follow up to that client in order to obtain referrals.  Lazy business and salesperson!

Jul 24, 2011 01:38 AM
Carol-Ann Palmieri
RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA
"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

Hi Tom.     I can't remember the last time I received a thank you note for any thing that I purchased, service or product!     Great post and reminder to send this simple gesture of appreciation!

Jul 24, 2011 01:43 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Call me old fashioned but I still write personal thank you and other notes.  It truly is a lost art indeed.

Jul 24, 2011 01:46 AM
Surprise Arizona Realtor Jim Braun Sun City Grand Active Adult Communities
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Jim Braun Sun City Grand Az - Surprise, AZ
Surprise AZ real estate Phoenix West Valley

Tom: This is an excellent point. The personal touch is drifting farther away. On the flip side some car dealers have the service manager, finance manager, store manager, janitor and car wash person call and email after purchasing. Just joking about a couple of these but it is sometimes to the extreme. I think a thank you card is great! 

Jul 24, 2011 01:57 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

You are right Tom, this is a lost art. I'm working on doing a follow-up card to customers myself.

Jul 24, 2011 07:43 PM
Carol Barron Cross
SUNFLOWER HOMES & EQUESTRIAN LLC - Palm City, FL
Sunflower Homes & Equestrian LLC

I think saying Thank You is taught in the South. As a southerner, I found it an important part of language.

Aug 03, 2011 11:26 AM