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As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

Thanksgiving is a reminder of my favorite WKRP in Cincinnati episode called "Turkeys Away." Station manager, Arthur Carlson thought dropping 20 live As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.turkeys out of a helicopter would become radio's greatest Thanksgiving promotion. Instead his plan backfired.


Mr. Carlson didn't realize that the turkeys couldn't fly.
Therefore, his holiday promotion quickly to turned to disaster as large turkeys splatted to the earth wreaking havoc in downtown Cincinnati. Folks knew who to blame too, a banner trailing behind the helicopter read, "Happy Thanksgiving from WKRP."


Do you promote turkeys that can't fly?
I see a lot of overpriced turkeys on the market right now. Houses that are clearly and ridiculously overpriced. Is a listing, just to have a listing, worth your reputation? After all, folks know who to blame - that's your sign in the front yard.


Perhaps you can steal the famous WKRP line, "as God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."


If you're looking for a Realtor who accurately prices properties and refuses to overprice them - let's talk turkey.

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 


We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments (32)

Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Anita, it's much better to walk away when a seller won't price a home competitvely.

Jeanean, That's very sweet of you to say. You rock right back - I've just been looking at your photos of India. :)

Hey Christianson Team - glad you appreciate it too. Classic and funny episode. Happy Turkey Day.

Nov 22, 2011 02:31 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hi DJ

Over pricing isn't going to do anything except turn a listing into a career listing as I call them.  Some can't  afford to drop the price. some just won't and some just will not listen. I've actually fired sellers because their homes were embarrassingly over priced and I just couldn't justify sticking my sign in the front yard just to be hung up on when callers inquired about the price.  Oh and don't forget those lovely emails with vulgar name calling and statements due to the online presentation of the over priced home.  UGH.

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

Nov 22, 2011 02:35 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Debb,

This is hillarious, and yep I've had a turkey or two every once in a while and as always learn from them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 22, 2011 02:58 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Great post.  We also have too many underpriced turkeys in the Maryland Market.  They are short sales with unrealistic prices that do nothing but disrupt the market.

Have an wonderful Thanksgiving and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments.

Dahlia Show at Brookside Gardens.  Photograph by Roy Kelley.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Nov 22, 2011 03:26 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Oh my! This is a good one! I have had a turkey or two in my day... happy to say that I have gone on a low turkey diet and avoid too much turkey except on Thanksgiving! ;)

Nov 22, 2011 04:03 AM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

Very Clever Post Debb and you are so correct. I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with lots of humor, fun and most of all family, friends and love.

Nov 22, 2011 04:22 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Great analogy and post (suggested!)  A timely reminder that OVER-STUFFED things aren't very aerodynamic or market friendly. 

Nov 22, 2011 05:01 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Jerry - right on. They do back fire and if my sign goes into the yard, I want a pending sticker over it in a reasonablly short amount of time. That's good promotion. :)

Rebekah, given our Radio Days background, I'm not surprised to learn that you're a fan of Turkeys Away too.  Thanks for the visit and Happy Thanksgiving. D

I think in our early days, we all took on a turkey or two. That's how we learn, right Sharon?  Have a good Tuesday to you too. :)

Nov 22, 2011 05:38 AM
Judi Boad
ACCURATE REALTY GROUP - Seattle, WA

Hi Debb~

Well that was sure fun to read! A wise person once told me "some business just isn't worth taking"...

Best regards from Seattle!

Nov 22, 2011 06:20 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Debb,

I remember the show very well and especially the line about turkey's flying. You are correct it is the Realtor's job to make sure the home is priced correctly. However, I have been on the other side where the seller insists they have to have some sales number based on their cost. After 2 weeks of no showings they usually are open to a price reduction. I clicked suggest as you did another wonderful job of sage waying from the WKRP show to real estate.

Nov 22, 2011 06:27 AM
Aaron Mazurek
Coast Realty Group, (Powell River) Ltd - Powell River, BC
Powell River Property For Sale (BC)

You are such a good writer! very funny way to get your point across. Thank you so much

Nov 22, 2011 07:13 AM
Brian L. Sirota, Esq.
Bristar Realty (Realtor/Attorney) - Orange, CA
For Solutions: (714) 501-7660

Debb, adorable metaphor!  

"Promoting these Turkeys" is done on a wing and a prayer......"as God is my witness!"

*Suggest*

Brian 

Nov 22, 2011 07:49 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hey Carol Ann, Glad the OPT brought back some good memories. Yes, by all means call your friend today, I bet he'll appreciate the call.

Lorraine, thanks I sure appreciate the wobble. :)

Kristine - it's nuts. If somebody is that unrealistic ( sometimes it's about their ego) they should stay put. Thanks for the creative mind - some days it works better than others. :)

Hi Gary, glad I snagged you with the hook and reeled you in. ;)

Hi Joan, I'll bet we've all seen a number of these turkeys.

Nov 22, 2011 09:09 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Q-man - yep it won't fly if it's too far out of the ball park. ;)

Lynda - thanks for the visit and I'm glad you had a laugh.

Roy - that's true too...sad, but true.

Joni - good job. Me too. :)

Mary, I am wishing the same to you.

Carla - thanks for the suggest and good to see you. ( another friend from across the river - and through the woods) Over stuffed is a good one.

 

Nov 22, 2011 11:05 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debb,

This is a delightful post, and well illustrated.  You have a wonderful way with ideas and expressing them very creatively. A

Nov 22, 2011 11:07 AM
Donna Malone
Waterfront, Luxury, Family, Affordable, Cottage, Deals - Bridgewater, NS
Homes and Property for Sale Nova Scotia

Debb, I was a big fan of WKRP. I don't remember that episode but it is hilarious. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Nov 22, 2011 11:38 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Judi, the emerald Realtor from the emerald city. Good to see you, have a great Thankgsiving. :)

Bob - yes, and if you get them to agree to two week price reductions until it gets to the sweet spot - that can be a strategy. :)

Aaron, thanks so much and welcome to AR. I see you've got some great posts already. I have subscribed and wish you luck. D

Nov 23, 2011 02:17 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Richard, too funny. :) Doubt they were organic, I think the station manager was too cheap to purchase expensive birds. Just as well too, considering the ending. :) Wonder if Claim Jumpers uses Organic Turkey?

Brian, thanks for the suggest effort - I believe I'm mostly off the radar around here. :) Oh well.  I love your wing and a prayer...

Nov 23, 2011 02:20 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I love that episode and every year we watch it as a family and I still laugh every time. But, you are right, if you don't price it to sell, then it will never sell. 

 

Nov 23, 2011 04:42 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Alexandra - I appreciate the compliment and I'm happy you enjoyed Turkeys Away. :)

Donna - you should watch the full episode - it's marvelous.

Todd - No doubt it would be a favorite at your house too. :) A house at an inflated price will never fly.

Nov 23, 2011 04:50 AM