Guided Tour Or Take The Day Off
We get a call at 8:30 a.m. the morning after Thanksgiving.
In our blog post for the day on A/R, we already talked about how we were going to take the day off
and just chill, no phone calls and no showings.
We answered the phone (don't know why?) and the woman said "Hi, this is Doreen from XYZ Agency in Virginia and I have a client from New Jersey that I would like to refer to you in Long Island. What are your referral fees"?
We know, we weren't going to work today, but...
We discussed the referral fee and the signed papers were faxed back and forth.
"Okay everything looks good, she said so I'll have my customer call you next week".
Ten minutes after Doreen hangs up, we get a call. "Hi this is Darla and my sister Doreen told me to call you".
Sister, hmmm guess she forgot to tell us!
We discussed what she was looking for and then she blurts out "We're in the community now and my sister said you can meet us here".
We told her it was such short lead time and we wouldn't be able to schedule anything at a moments notice.
"But my sister told me you were free to show us around today and we're in the community now and we would like to see it".
We told her that her sister said she would call us next week and we would like to accommodate her, but not to be too optimistic. If we could schedule anything, it wouldn't be for a couple of hours.
"But we're here in the community now".
We'll do the best we can, but it still won't be for at least 2 hours. However, before we hung up and before we drove around in circles with her, I asked ~ Do you have anything to sell in New Jersey and when do you think you would be ready for the move?
"Oh, why yes of course we have something to sell and we aren't looking to make the move for at least 3 years down the road"!
Then she tells us, "and next time we're in town, my sister lined us up with other Realtors, from other towns so we can get to see different areas and have a better understanding of where we want to live and if we want to move".
Why did we bother to answer our phone???
You see, it's not only our time we're wasting, but what about the homeowners that get so excited when they hear that they have a showing? What about the preparation that many sellers have to go through to make sure their house is show ready? Should we waste their time and their expectations for this guided tour, and especially right after a big holiday?
We think not.
Although we understand not everyone is ready to buy when we first start working with them, and we don't mind working with clients for future business, we won't lie to sellers who ask if clients have something to sell first. We will work for as long as it takes with clients, but we won't compromise our honesty and integrity...this tour was not going to happen.
Thanks for the call Darla, thanks much for the referral Doreen ~ but we're going back to sleep!
We appreciate your referrals for the North Shore of Long Island and are willing to work with them as long as it takes to find them their perfect home here on Long Island as long as they are reasonable and honest with their requests. Please call Larry and Sheila, Realtors with Charles Rutenberg Realty at 631-805-4400.
We are independent Licensed Realtors.
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14 Comments on Guided Tour Or Take The Day Off
OMG that is so rude and insensitive. As her sister is an agent, you would think she would know better. Sounds like she is wasting a lot agents' time. And, extra bad to do it over a holiday! Smart thinking. Suggested.
Good morning Larry and Sheila. Boy am I with you. I hate this crap: do whatever you will but for G-d sakes be up front and honest about it. I too suggested.
Debbie, You would think her sister would have known better....ARRGH!
Sheila, Wouldn't honesty be a novel idea???
Unfortunately, this seems to happen with increased regularity. The worst part is, fellow agents are usually involved in the process. I wonder how they would feel if things were reversed?!
Shelia and Larry - some people think the world revolves around them! Good for you and I'm sure that nap was far better than wasting your time with Miss I'mTheCenterOfTheUniverse! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Watch out for those Jersey people - they can't always be trusted - LOL!
Anita, Can't understand why this Virginia agent couldn't tell us it was for her sister...seems a little more than forgetful on her part!
Larry and Sheila - I trust you were able to get back to sleep and enjoyed the rest of the day just chilling no more phone calls, so called refferals, appointments or showings
Larry & Sheila - people just don't understand the way real estate works. Some people never will so don't even waste your breathe ;)
OMG - SCREAM!
Kristine, We couldn't believe it when she said "but I'm here now and I want to see it"...Not with us Darla ~ Oh no not Jersey!
Kathy, No way, no how were we going to work for this waste of time!
Toni, We realize that, but her sister is supposed to be a Realtor in Virginia, and we can't imagine her not explaining this to her!
Renee, You said it all...and we had a pleasant day despite this unpleasant start!
It is simply amazing buyers want so much attention WAY before they truly plan to make decisions. I wonder if they ever think about our gas, how we get paid, etc.
So what exactly did you tell Darla? And, did Doreen contact you again? Always wondering exactly what to do in this situation without sounding rude. And, yes this woman should have known better and what's with Doreen? When agents do this to us!! Ugho I could write a book as to what's wrong with this picture. :)
Joan, No they don't ever think of what we have to spend, or time wasted...never, never, never!
Gail, We kept trying to reach her, but her phone wasn't taking any messages, so we called Doreen. She said she didn't know(???) her sister was in the community and was confused herself about it....hmmm not sure we can believe her, but she said she was going to reach Darla by text and find out what was going on. Didn't hear back from either one yet!
Hey guys. I hear ya. I am dealing with the same thing right now. Folks in from Calif. I took them out Friday and am taking them again today and yet they won't be moving till April. Ugh!
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