He contacted me via Trulia at the end of April. Provided the phone number, so I called him and we had a pleasant conversation about condo-hotels in Daytona Beach Area.
As always, I gladly asked his questons and gave a lot of information about condo-hotels. I always do it without reservation. People are so nice, and so genuine....
So I tell them about my listings that they called upon, and then about listings that are not mine, but which are great deals, and then about other properties, and so on and so forth. They are impressed, promise to talk to their spouses and call me back...and disappear in the thin air...
I know that they can't get better information from anyone else about this segment of the market. Most agents do not know, and those who know would not volunteer...
But they don't call me back...
Time from time I surf my Sent folder and contact customers to whom I was sending information. Usually by e-mail, but when I have a phone, I call. So, I called Alex. He remembered me. He said that he was now interested in Plaza Resort, and that he called them and that they have restrictions on owners staying, etc...
Why on earth would he call them? Well, he could not answer. To him it was absolutely OK to get information from me and then go and start calling on his own.
He said that he is watching (and participating) in the auctions, where they are selling the units, including in the Plaza Resort & Spa. I have written about these auctions, but it is unlikely Alex have read them.
People are telling me about the auctions not even understanding how funny they sound. In Plaza Resort & Spa, I am one of those agents selling units to the Auction Company rep. Yes, guys, they buy it from me and agents like me, and then turn and sell them for more money (are you really surprised?), but people like Alex would think that it is a better deal when they are buying at the auction...
Can they buy from the auction company for the same amount the auctioneer is paying me? You are laughing already? You think it is a stupid question?
Guess there are people who think it is not.
The funny part is that sometimes at the auction they can even go as low as the price they paid to me or other agents like me. For example, if they purchased a unit from me for $50K, then they will sell at the auction for the same $50K... so, where is the catch?
The catch is in 10% buyer premium. That would be their money. But this does not really happen often. People usually bid higher. Also, what many customers do not understand, is that often times the auctioneer sells the units that they do not yet own.
One of my listings in a condo-hotel is under contract with the Auction Company rep. No closing date in sight, and couple of weeks ago I watched them auctioning it. I also blogged about it but it is unlikely Alex have read it.
They have it under contract for $60K with my seller, and they auctioned it for $87K. Tell me how great the deal is for the buyer.
So, go buy it for $87K and tell me you did not need me.
P.S. This freebie attitude pisses me off. I know I can't expect people to be nice. I thought that when it affects their wallet, they should be at least smart, but so often they are not.
I told Alex that this is not the way it works, and he told me to delete his record from my contact list.
I gladly did.
I am not a public announcer. It is how I bring bread to my table. You would not like if I make you work for nothing.
Well, I do not like it either.
Do you?
Photo by sashafatcat via Flickr.com
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