The one that got away? Like that's gonna happen with me in the driver's seat!

The one that got away?  Like that's gonna happen with me in the driver's seat!

Evidently there's a great contest going on on ActiveRain about "The one that got away".  And while I do have an adventure in real estate story, or two or three, that fit that criteria I think the better story is the one about the Client who couldn't get away.  I think I've told this little gem before, but maybe you missed it or you just need a Tuesday giggle.

I was working with a delightful couple on the purchase of an oceanfront lot and the building of their dream home.  We'd been back and forth through the mail (yes, Virginia. There was a time before email and somehow we managed to get things done) and phone calls and they had finally come down to take a look.  Turned out not to be the best day for it -- a nor'easter was on it's way and it was quite chilly and windy.  But they had driven 4 hours to look, so we were gonna look!  I'm kinda like a mailman (or maybe an EEEDJIOT), no nor'easter is going to keep me from my duties.

As was the custom back then, they rode with me.  The Mister, who liked to think he was in charge, rode up front.  The REAL decision maker sat in the backseat.  My second mistake of the day.  What was the first?  Keep reading, we'll get there.

We drove to the first lot, and the husband decided he would like to walk it.  In the middle of a nor'easter?  Really?  Oh, boy, here we go.  Out he jumped, with me right behind.  The wife says, "I can't get out."  I say, "No problem."  The weather was pretty ugly, I would have liked to have stayed in the car, too.

We go to see the second lot.  Now it's really windy and the rain is beginning in earnest.  Remember, these are oceanfront lots so there's no protection from the elements here!  The husband HAS to walk this one as well.  He's out in a flash and I'm scrambling to keep up.  The wife says, "I can't get out."  I again say, "No problem, I understand." 

We get to the third lot, this one was directly on the point and the wind had really picked up and the salt spray was wreaking havoc with my hair and makeup.  I know, who worries about hair and makeup in the middle of a nor'easter?  ME!  That's who!  Of course, himself is out of the car almost before I put it in park!  Have I mentioned that my shoes were soaked and my hair was plastered to my head like a helmet?  Oh, the things we'll do for our Clients!  I'm getting out, a bit more slowly than the last two times, but gosh darn it, I'm still in the game!  The wife says, again, "I can't get out."  I'm starting to think some not so nice things about this princess.  I mean, I'm toughing it out, surely she could at least make a little effort.  But of course,  I say, "No problem." 

And then she says, "NO!  I mean I CAN'T get out.  The door is locked!" 

Can anyone say child safety lock?  Oops.  Guess I wasn't doing that active listening thing I'm always preaching.  Now anyone who has read more than one of my posts, knows I was trying not to laugh hysterically as I went around to open her door and cut off the child safety lock.  You'd think she would have said something specific while we were driving to the second lot, but maybe I didn't really give her a chance.  Eee Gaads!

They did buy the last lot I showed THEM. . .  Turns out all I needed to do to close that sale was let the REAL decision maker out of the back seat!