surprised woman at computerWhat a week.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I brought it on myself, thinking I could sneak away for a few days last week and enjoy something resembling a life, but seriously, could this week have been much worse? 

The major catastrophe was the failure of my hard drive;  fortunately, it was diagnosed just as it was on the brink of destruction, which enabled me to copy everything off of it - NOT an easy feat, I tell you, considering what a data pack rat I am - and get a new drive installed before all was lost.

This is the simplified version, of course, as I am leaving out the sleepless nights, the angst and the mad panic dash through the office hoping to find all the software, complete with serial numbers and product keys. 

Anyway, for those of you who have experienced such an event, you know it overrides every single thing in your life while it is happening.  Time stands still when you are computerless.  Thank goodness for the iPad, the iPhone and Dropbox, 'cuz I was able to at least pretend I was still functioning (as opposed to panicking, which was closer to the truth).

In the meantime, a nasty head cold sets in.  Oh, perfect, just perfect. Now the misery is physical as well as mental. 

Stop the world, I want to get off.

During all of this, my lockbox key card reader stops functioning.  Oh, and a couple of offers come in on listings.  You'd think at least the offers would be the bright spot, right?

One agent apparently just graduated from some sort of discount negotiation course, otherwise, how do you explain an email accompanying an offer that starts with, "You better get this through, otherwise, we will write on the house down the street." 

Oh, how perfect.  This just suits my current mood exactly. 

Seriously, this is your opening gambit?

The sellers refuse to counter (legitimately) and I relay that to Miss "we'll just take our toys and play elsewhere if you won't play with us."  Okay, fine, whatever, this offer is DOA.  Good luck with the listing down the street.

Except in the agent's mind, it apparently is NOT DOA, because she keeps contacting me, badgering me about her offer, even saying, "you are not taking me seriously."

I'm trying to save several hundred thousand files (yeah, I know) and you are whining "I'm not taking you seriously"?  

My life has become fodder for an advice column, apparently.

Anyway, I'm struggling through the restore process and trying to figure out why everything doesn't look the way it did, but it's okay...I'm 90% of the way back,  which isn't too bad.

It's just that last 10% is a killer.  

************************************************************************************

Susan Haughton logo

 

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55 Comments on Please Do Not Annoy the Listing Agent

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAY
05
2012
193,640 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Susan, I remember the days when computers were changing so fast you just had to get a new one every few years! And that agent, oh boy, what a negotiator! Not.
5:28pm • #36
589,905 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Susan -- sounds like a bad dream!  Don't you love the negotiating style of some people?
6:14pm • #37
115,056 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Ahh, Susan, I am commiserating with you on the hard-drive problem. Such an exasperating thing to deal with. As for the agent, well, hmmm, let's just say she has a lot to learn. (Who teaches that style of negotiating, so that I make sure to run screaming away?!)
6:28pm • #38
159,298 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

So the agent presents a take it or leave it offer, and when you leave it, she continues to pester you? Sounds like "the listing down the street" wasn't so real after all.

Have you thought about Carbonite? It will back up the entire contents of your computer automatically for only $60.00 a year. It is a great deal. You can set it to backup daily or weekly, etc etc.
6:31pm • #39
334,177 Points 7 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Susan - It could have been worse at least you caught the hard drive before it completely bit the dust.  As for that other agent , what the heck has she been smoking?  I'm sure you will be better off without her offer.   Have a better week next week.
8:15pm • #40
548,316 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Susan: 

My computer started acting weird last week.  Called my tech guy and he couldn't find the problem. I thought I would have to download everything and junk my hard drive.  Fortunately, my tech guy to my computer home and worked on it for two day.  He was able to restore it to its original condition, but I was panicking because I thougth my files were gone for good.
8:55pm • #41
762,151 Points 106 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Susan, why does it seem that when it rains, it pours. Hope next week is better and you're back to 100%.
8:56pm • #42
300,008 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Susan , you have really had your hands full the last few days. This too shall pass, and all will be well again, including you!
9:28pm • #43
1,352,282 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Susan - It sounds like it has been quite a week, and that buyer's agent has more to learn.
10:38pm • #44
MAY
06
2012
644,606 Points 111 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sometimes it seems as if it just can't get any worse and then it does.  Today holds promise.  As for the agent, do you know her broker.  If so, I am sure that the broker would be very interested in this bully behavior. Do the broker a favor and stop this bull in her tracks.
1:28am • #45
386,537 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Michelle:  You bring up a very important point - not only are we likely to run into the same agents in the future on another deal, but you never know when a deal can be resurrected! 

Lorraine or Loretta:  So true!

Jane:  I'm glad I could amuse.  LOL  Now, about that Marquis de Sade class...

Spammer:  And there it is.  Thanks for the extra 10 points for reporting you.  

John:  Well, I think we still have to get a new computer every few years, although I do believe I have finally gotten to the point where I don't need anything faster or bigger...I'm there.  LOL

Michael:  It never ceases to amaze me how some people work!

Chiara:  Seriously, right?  Who works that way

Dale:  Exactly!  I back up with Mozy, but did not want to spend the time waiting for it to restore that way. Since I was able to get everything off with a hard drive back up, it was much faster...just exasperating!

Jim:  Thanks!  And imagine how the deal would have gone, anyway...not pleasant!

Tammie:  Thanks!  Sinuses still an issue, but feeling much better already.

Sandy:  And so it goes, right?  This week is already starting out better.  I actually slept some last night.  LOL

Christine:  You can say that again!

Charita:  You are so right - every new day holds promise.  And you know, a call to the broker may not be a bad idea.  ;-)

 
4:56am • #46
1,054,072 Points 286 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Susan, Sounds like that buyer's agent could use a fresh copy of Carnegie's book!  Have been through the hard drive failure before and was lucky enough that it was freezing cold outside so moving everything to the front porch enabled us to chill the laptop enough to complete the transfer with no loss :)
6:03am • #47
504,847 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Susan, sounds like you've had a heck of a week! Take some deep breaths and enjoy your Sunday.     
8:19am • #48
3 Featured Posts

I've had those offers before. And no we won't take it seriously if it's that low under the comps that you are just throwing any stupid number out there.  Too many people are paying to go to those buy real estate for pennies and expect profit seminars!
11:39am • #49
Attended Rain Camp

Harddrive crashes are the worst! That good that you were able to save it before complete failer. Have you considered using the cloud for backup?
10:17pm • #50
MAY
07
2012
413,687 Points 88 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I wouldn't do well with an offer that starts with a threat, You were probably nicer than I would have been.
6:15am • #51
878,434 Points 48 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Susan:  I laughed out LOUD at your 'discount negotiation course' comment. Too funny. I think she flunked the course (even if it was a discount version!!)
8:11am • #52
422,910 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Susan, congratulations on saving 90 percent, it could have been a lot worse, I once lost my main hard drive and my backup drive in the same week.

Hopefully you can save that deal now that you are back up and running.

 
11:43am • #53
3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I had one of those offers this week! Must have been that full moon. Almost 40% below list- I couldn't stop laughing as I discussed it with my sellers.
8:47pm • #54
MAY
14
2012
1,099,703 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Susan, I use an external drive as well as dropbox, but considering all the headaches I may check out BackBlaze.... which I've never heard of before now.  Hope all is well now and that agent has moved on to create havoc with someone else :)
8:54am • #55

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