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The First Signal That Prepares You For The Deal From Hell!!!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

Have you ever called an agent and the recording that you hear states that you should leave a message and all phone calls will be returned between 3:00pm and 5:00pm?  How does an agent get away with this?

Imagine calling at 9:00am and having to wait all day for a return phone call?  Whatever happened to quality customer service?  Response time is very important and it’s a reflection of your attitude about doing business.  The phone greeting might as well say “don’t bother me.”

If I’m a potential client who is searching for an agent, I’m not going to select one who makes me wait all day for a return phone call.  My team’s market analysis calls are returned within 15 minutes from the time I refer it or the call goes to another agent, and the agent doesn’t have to be on my team.  That’s a rule!!

Participating in a transaction with an agent who returns phone calls once a day within a two hour window has all the ingredients needed to become the “deal from hell.”  I hope we never have to deal with this type of agent.

 

 

Posted by

 

 

Barbara Todaro, Great Grandmother to Caleb, Santino, Aiden and Gianni       

Todaro Team - Retired

508-918-9148

               

             Copyright © 2009 - 2021 Barbara Todaro

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Comments (37)

Jenifer Lower
Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net - Bozeman, MT
Your Dream. Our Passion.

I have worked with these before.  It is so hard to time your day around when you can actually get to speak to them, and the timing shows up and the executed contract every time!  Thanks for reminding us to be courteous on the other side as well.

 

Oct 17, 2011 10:47 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Barbara, the only time my cell phone goes off is when I'm in Church or at a meeting, but I check it the minute I'm free!

Oct 17, 2011 10:51 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Belinda....that may be the case or maybe it's just to take control....

Jenifer.....you shouldn't have to work your schedule around anyone else's time frame to ask a question.....

Ellen....I'm sure you do have your phone on all the time....

Oct 17, 2011 11:33 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Barbara, this is one issue that can really cause a problem at the end of a transaction when I can't reach the listing or selling agent.   

Oct 17, 2011 01:15 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Barbara lordy lordy lordy it's so much worse here. You woudn't believer what some of the reo agents do.   Don't call me. Text or email only.  And that's just the beggining.  I do see the day when things will change back to a more 'civil' co-op working relationship. 

Oct 17, 2011 01:19 PM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Barbara, I actually had an offer for an agent and it was a Tuesday evening and their message was that they do not work after 5pm or any Wednesday.  Now what do I do?  People are crazy. 

Oct 17, 2011 01:51 PM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

I will hang up if I receive a voicemail like that.  If they are real estate agents and have that kind of message, they don't need my business.

Oct 17, 2011 02:18 PM
Nina Rogoff
Boston, MA
Wix Websites for Real Estate Agents

As Anna mentioned, I've had agents tell me to text them. If I left them a voice message, they wouldn't respond. I have heard recordings which specify hours for getting calls returned. That's really annoys me! I just can't believe they haven't had a client tell them to knock it off if they want to keep the listing.

Oct 17, 2011 02:31 PM
Rose King
David Tracy Real Estate - Friendswood, TX
Friendswood / Pearland / Houston Bay Area

Hi Barbara! This is one of my pet peeves! There is someone I call regularly who has a voicemail message that says, "Leave a message and I will call you back at my earliest convenience." It makes me so mad; I'm sometimes tempted to leave a message that says, "When you call back, it may or may not be convenient for me to answer!" HA!

Oct 17, 2011 03:04 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

I believe that is what Mike Ferry teaches. Whenever I hear that message I move on to the next agent.  I will never leave a message.  In this day of instant gratification this is just about the stupidest move I have ever heard.

Oct 17, 2011 04:46 PM
Gail C. Harris
Resource Network, LLC SFR, AHWD, ACRE, SMAR Board Director - Chesapeake Beach, MD
Reach the BEACH with Gail C. Harris (cell: 703.868

I'm not sure, you're right.  However, I met a Realtor in VA who posted two messages on his voicemail. He said he returned phone calls from 1-2PM and 5-6PM, I think it was.  He managed his day that way.  He didn't let the tail wag the dog, or however that saying goes!! LOL  I've not used it but personally, I think telling people when you return phone calls is a smart idea.  It doesn't mean you can't return it sooner; it's a courtesy letting them know they will recieve a call back.  And, in this way they can be prepared too to receive the call.  I don't know, more and more I see agents work with no pay.  Unless we settle all these other services we provide or free info from our years of experience gets no pay.  Yes, one begins to get a reputation and it pays off eventually, however, I still am of the notion nothing is free, and we should not be working for free or giving "free" stuff out, like I see advertised, "obtain a free CMA"...  ugh.  It drives me crazy.  Anyway, back to the voicemail.  I really think it's a smart thing to do but I certainly see your point.  If someone only leaves one time for returning phone calls that could be iinfuriating.  Also, if you are working a deal with someone, one would hope you've told this person this message does not apply to them. :) Perhaps the voicemail message could simply say, if you are a first time caller I am happy to assist  you.  I return calls at...  I don't know, although I don't operate like this, I think it would give me more a sense that this person is successful and will return my call when promised.  Oh well, I'm probably wrong!!  And, I take phone calls as they come in.  :)

Oct 18, 2011 12:28 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Kathy....we need to respond....period...

Anna....I'd never survive there....or others wouldn't tolerate me!!

judith....poor business sense...

Kay....I agree....but sometimes we need to deal with these people....

Nina....some clients don't know any better....

Rose....I understand what you're feeling....

Jane.....that's a poor business practice to be teaching agents...

Gail..... a market analysis should be free....unless you're a "fee appraiser" you shouldn't be charging to give someone a market analysis..... there's nothing shady about it.... if you charge for it, you'll not be called and you'll be out of business.....we're listing agents and our presentation is free....we want to let people know how we will market their property and at what price point.....I advertise this online and with direct mail marketing.....my phone rings and we stay in business.....inventory continues to come our way and with that, commissions.....so, what are we doing wrong??? 

Oct 18, 2011 12:42 AM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Barbara - so you have those agents around your area too!  I have often wondered where these people ever got that idea, who do they think they are....a doctor?  They better charge "doctor" prices as they will not get many clients with this message.  I wonder what happens if they have to actually show a home during their call back hour - do they tell the client that they have to take a break to return their calls?  Interesting and sad.

Get Out & About & Scare Up Some Fun!

Oct 18, 2011 01:15 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Barbara.....I can't believe they get any clients.....the clients who do hire them must believe that everyone works that way!!!

Oct 18, 2011 01:31 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Barbara --- I'm with you on this one.   While everyone has the right to run their business in a manner they feel most efficient - I do have a "Yikes" feeling whenever I hear "I return phone calls between x and xPM".   

Oct 18, 2011 03:00 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Since I am a single practitioner, I can't and won't answer my phone at all times. When I'm with a client, or in a meeting, the ringer is off--that person or event deserves my attention. But--I do return calls promptly, and do let clients and customers know my practice and that they will hear from me. (And I do leave the ringer on and take calls when offers are out, when I know offers are coming in, or other time-sensitive matters dictate that.)

Thanks for this post--it makes me realize I need to communicate to all callers why they reached my answering machine, and when they can expect to hear from me.

Oct 18, 2011 05:06 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

michael.....that's really the only feeling one could have!!!

Lottie.....I can understand that....no one answers their phone when they're at a meeting....but if you get a break you should return the call and explain that you'll call back later.....especially if it's an offer....

Oct 18, 2011 05:16 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

HI BARBARA!  I pretty much echo Michael (#32) - but I guess that's better than hearing they return calls from 6 to 8pm - which I heard once and it was a little more than "YIKES"!

Oct 19, 2011 10:14 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Gab....there should be a law against it....it's just not fair.

Oct 19, 2011 10:41 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

To me it's a bad sign when agents only return calls during certain hours. I have found when that happens, they do not communicate regularly with a transaction and that makes me crazy!

Oct 19, 2011 11:09 PM