I've been a Spinning® instructor for fifteen years. Just a year ago December 31, I decided to stop teaching regular classes and become a sub so I could concentrate on business, and it has really paid off. I still like to be involved as much as possible, so I continue to maintain the bikes.
I always did the maintenance on my own bikes when I had my studio, so it was a natural transition to maintain the center's bike as well. This past week, I received an email from a staff member relaying a member's concern over the horrific condition of a group of bikes at the center.
I went back to teaching this week, so I took time after the Friday class to check out broken bikes. There were 6 that needed repair. Most were very simple tune up type repairs. The two in the email sounded like they were a danger to mankind. I expected to find body parts lying all around them from the danger they presented to the membership, but there were none.
As a matter of fact, of the 6 I repaired,they were the least of my repairs. When I finished fixing all six bikes, I had to wonder what it was about the minor repair needs theses bikes needed the so captured a member's attention that he would pen a note to the management encouraging that the bikes be scrapped and news be purchased.
Then I realized, it was perception. His perception, and lack of knowledge, caused him to think the minor tune-up needs were really major defects that warranted a replacement rather than a repair. Based upon his understanding, the bikes were trash. The reality was the bikes were in great condition with a few minor tune-up needs. In less than an hour, they were fine tuned and back on the floor. At $1000 a piece, you don't just throw them out and get new ones.
How many times have you had a real estate client call you to be the second agent because his 
previous agent was defective and needed to be thrown out and replaced? To the trained eye, it might actually be the perception of the client, and not the agent. Of course it could be the agent, but until you know the full circumstances of the relationship you couldn't say that with any authority and legitimate knowledge.
That brings up a note of caution for all of us in the real estate field. Far to many clients have a "throw it away and get new" mindset when it comes to life, business and relationships. Before you chime in with a potential client who is discussing a former agent, get the facts.
Every story has two sides. I would imagine if you talked to the "cast aside" agent, you'd probably hear a totally different story. Remember, the client who is telling you about the poor performance of the previous agent will tell the next agent the same thing about you. It might be his perception, but if he can get someone to listen to his story, and if he can get someone to agree with him, he gets a boost of confidence when it might not be valid.
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