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I Wonder If They Claimed Their Wallet?

By
Commercial Real Estate Agent with Windermere Real Estate/Whatcom, Inc.

I found a wallet on the ground at the local gas station earlier this week. I picked it up and tossed it on to the trunk of my car while I was fueling it up. Nobody showed up looking for it in the time it took me to fuel up my car so I flipped it open and saw it had some cash, I don't know how much since it wasn't mine why would I count it? Anyway slid one credit card out and the name on it was Richard Archer, I then closed the wallet and called the local Police to have them pick it up.

This wallet had a lot of credit cards or debit cards judging by its thickness, but I did not feel right about looking through it. The cop showed up in about 15 minutes and I handed the wallet over to him. I did tell him I thought the wallet was not gone through by anyone since it still had cash and credit cards. I also gave my business card to the cop just in case he had questions later or if the owner of the wallet wanted to call and thank me for turning it in. Besides that, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to promote a Realtor in a good light. We do need that as often as possible.

One other thing was I did not feel good about taking the wallet inside to the minimum wage employee at the register. Please understand the person on shift at that time may have been the most honorable person one could ever meet, but I just did not want to chance it.

So my question is if given the opportunity to promote being a Realtor to the public, uncompensated, and as an overall act of good will to the public, do you take time to tell them you are a Realtor?

Ryan Martin
Pacific Continental Realty, LLC - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Commercial RE Broker
KC - I would hold the wallet hostage until they agreed to list their house with me. No, I think you did the right thing. If it were me, I would casually tell the owner of the wallet that I was a REALTOR®.
Nov 17, 2007 10:54 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I have REALTOR stamped on my forehead. If I found the wallet, I would have looked at the address on the driver's license, run the name through the tax rolls to see if I could find a phone number or on whitepages and called the owner myself to see if I could bring it by the home. 

Although, one time I saw a woman run a light and hit a stray dog. I pulled over to see how they both were doing. The woman was crying, the dog was lying in the street. I tried to comfort both of them, while I called the vet and the police. The woman was almost hysterical. I hugged her, told her it wasn't her fault, even though it might have been, and when the police showed up, I gave them my card in case they needed a witness. But it never dawned on me to give the woman my card. It should have, but it didn't.


Nov 17, 2007 10:56 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County
I guess my first reaction would have been to give it to the clerk. maybe I have a higher opinion of others regardless of their employment. Either way I probably would have probably forgotten about promoting myself. Good job.
Nov 17, 2007 10:59 AM
Elaine Stewart
Elaine Stewart is the #1 Individual RE/MAX Agent for 13 years straight in the Coachella Valley. (760) 668-2399 - Palm Desert, CA
RE/MAX All-Pro

Either way, good things happen to people who do good things. That was nice of you!

Nov 17, 2007 11:15 AM
KC Coonc
Windermere Real Estate/Whatcom, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Commercial Real Estate

Ryan - Isn't there a game on? I was in stealth mode making random posts so you would be proud of me tomorrow.

Elizabeth -  I did not want to leave the scene with the wallet and I did not think going through it was any of my business. I sincerely want to thank you for helping the dog. That was very kind of you.

Gary - I already polled a networking group of other agents on this and handing it to the clerk was 1 out of 4 and the rest thought the police was the right answer. This was the 50 years plus age group. Thanks for the comments

Nov 17, 2007 11:17 AM
KC Coonc
Windermere Real Estate/Whatcom, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Commercial Real Estate
Elaine - Good old Karma. Thanks for stopping by.
Nov 17, 2007 11:19 AM
Ryan Martin
Pacific Continental Realty, LLC - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Commercial RE Broker

KC - It looks like I was the one in Steath Mode... LOL

...but I am still proud

Nov 17, 2007 11:20 AM