Hey, Fellow Agent, How about telling me WHY you’re calling!

I always do and I'd like the same from others.  My beef is when I call and leave a detailed message (perhaps after an unanswered email) and I don't get a call back.  After a day or two of working on other things, it hits me that the ball's back in my court.

I couldn't agree with you more. Frustrating, isn't it?

I get people all the time that call me 'about a house'. It's got red brick. Then they leave their name & phone number while they have their head hanging out the car window.  I can't make out the #.  Go figure.

Yes, it is annoying when agents call without leaving a reason for their call, but I also don't like agents who call me back by hitting their "missed call" redail on their cellphone without listening to my voicemail and say, "Hi, I saw that you called me and don't have time to listen to my messages, what did you want?"  I then have to repeat everything--often when they are calling me at an inconvenient time. 

Also, I agree with Bea in Post#22 who wrote:  "My favorite is the long, drawn out diatribe about nothing that finally ends with the call me at 999-999-9*99.  HUH?  WHAT?  SLOW DOWN and give the number clearly!"  I have gotten phone calls on my office number that I listened to over and over to try to decipher the garbled phone number that the agent left at the end of a looooooooooonng voice mail.  It always amazes me that agents sometimes say their phone numbers at the end of the call and say it so quickly as if they are in a "fast talker" race or as if they are running out of battery power on their cell phones!

It is difficult sometimes to return calls, and some agents never return calls, even with a detailed messgage left.  Is it acceptable to send a text message after leaving a voice message?  I find that I can return a text with greater ease than having to listen to voicemail, save or weite down all the messages, and then try to return a call.

I think they only people I do that to is my kids and maybe my wife.

Thanks for the post, Gayle.  I love it when agents leave a short message and I can get back to them with the info.  And - if they're not available, I can leave a message with the answer.  When everyone is busy, sometimes the only way is to "talk to our machines!"  MOST IMPORTANT!  Speak clearly and distinctly!  And, in a rural area, be sure that you're in cell range and I'm able to understand your call back # (best to repeat it!).  

Greap post Gayle! I wish we could send this memo out to ALL agents, and include with it, oh and by the way RETURN YOUR CALLS!!

Gayle - When this happens from a call left on my cell phone, I'm always hopeful that at the end of the message, I hear the following:  "To Reply to it, Press 8".  If you hear that, you can press 8, and just state, "OK I called."  Then press the # key twice, and it leaves a message back in their voice mail without you having to speak to them.  This only works if you're both using the same cell provider.  It won't work otherwise.

It certainly can help make the conversation that is held later go more smoothly if the listing agent can be prepared, like you said, with the right file. 

Hi Gayle, I agree.  The other thing that annoys me is the listing agent trying to sell ME on their listing.

Hi Gayle ...... exasperation is the feeling. I recently returned a page ... to only a name and phone number regarding a condo I've listed. As I move into pre-qual territory, I asked "do you know the building"? She says "No, tell me about it". After about 3 minutes she stops me, "Oh, I am an agent, and I do live in the building". Turns out she was looking for a unit for her son. I counted to 10 then continued as a professional would.

Grrrr!!!

it is a better usage of time to leave a message of what the call is about.

It is always frustrating! I always leave a detailed message and also repeat my number twice =)

I am so with you on this.  I always think it's so weird when I get a message from a Realtor with no other information.  What is the purpose?  I leave detailed info so that if they call back and I am unable to answer, question can be answered on my message.  Phone tag over.  -Kasey