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Here's when a lock box would have come in handy

By
Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

This evening I had an appointment for sanding and refinishing hardwood floors in Scarsdale.  My customer hasn't closed yet, and he made a special trip from Queens to meet me.

 

sand and refinish oak floors in westchester NYWe both met there, and than the real estate agent called to say she forgot the key!  What?  So, he had to drive home and then get it, and meanwhile we had to wait a bit over an hour.  I was kind of astonished.  My first reaction, was "What?  I thought there was a lock box?"  (And, of course there was...up until 3 days ago, when she removed it.)

 

She was kicking herself because this was so avoidable. It was a waste of time for her, and for us.  Thankfully, though, we used the time to chat and go through a few things.  (It was much more time efficient to wait rather than reschedule...not to mention how difficult that would have been for the customer).  We got to know each other better, and it helped speed up the appointment, since I already knew what he wanted...then, all I had to do was measure and calculate.

 

Then, the real estate agent showed up and she was super apologetic.  I really felt kind of bad for her, and it was clear that she's had a very busy week, and it was an honest oversight.  She seemed geniunely sorry, and that was good enough for me.

 

As luck would have it, the realtor recognized me.  I have no idea how this happened (since I didn't know her), but somehow, she is on my email distribution list, and she gets my email newsletters.  She recognized my picture and The Flooring Girl shirt.  She said, "Oh, you're Debbie.  It's so nice to finally meet you."  I don't know if she had put in a past inquiry about flooring, or if I presented at her office or if I met her at the Women's Council of Realtors.  But, I was thankful for this...and I was happy that my marketing is working.

Comments(15)

Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Debbie,

We all know that it's a good day when it all ends well...but sometimes, it does take a lot of patience!

Apr 26, 2013 10:56 AM
Joel Weihe
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Helping you to use your VA home loan benefits

That's always a little exciting when someone knows and recognizes you through your marketing efforts. I think so anyway.

Apr 26, 2013 10:57 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Lisa - Yes, it did end well.  And, happy to be home in bed now.

Joel - Yes, it was very cool.

Apr 26, 2013 11:07 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Debbie - let's hope the Realtor puts you on her preferred list of vendors for her clients.   

Apr 26, 2013 11:11 AM
Jimmy Faulkner
Florida. Homes Realty & Mortgage - Wantagh, NY
The Best Of St. Augustine

It sounds like one of my stories that I forgot something that cost everyone a lot of time. It frustrates me when I make mistakes but I do try to remember to keep my cool. In your case she knew you so it would have been embarassing to be upset with her.

Apr 26, 2013 11:16 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Michael - Yes, that would be really cool!

Jimmy - I didn't realize until later that she knew me.  But, I always try to be nice to realtors since a) I can relate well to them since we have parallel businesses and b) they can be a great referral source.

Apr 26, 2013 11:24 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

My guess would be that the agent will be remembering you and you will get some business from her because of her misstep with the key. Just wait and see.

Apr 26, 2013 11:28 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Debbie, there may be a bright side when that other agent tells some of her clients how professional and understanding you are

Apr 26, 2013 12:42 PM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

I too can say it feels really good when someone recognizes me from all my blogging efforts. WTG Debbie!

Apr 26, 2013 12:52 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Debbie, I am betting that this Realtor will definitely hire you the next time she needs flooring!

Apr 26, 2013 02:59 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

The power of marketing Debbie. I'm not surprised that she and many others would know you, long before you get to meet them.

Apr 26, 2013 05:49 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Debbie - That would be really nice if that happened.

Ed - Yes, that's very true.  Let's hope.

Sussie - Yes, it was very cool, indeed.

Tom - Thanks. It was a very neat feeling indeed.

Apr 26, 2013 07:51 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Debbie. Yeah, I'd say a lockbox would have been helpful. Oh well, at least you were recognized and appreciated.

Apr 26, 2013 09:10 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Sheila - Yes, it was too bad that she removed it.  And, yes, that was really cool and made it all worth it.

Apr 26, 2013 09:36 PM
Hillary Sheperd
Servpro of Scarsdale / Mount Vernon - Scarsdale, NY
Co-Owner ~ Servpro of Scarsdale / Mount Vernon, NY

Debbie ~ Poor baby, I remember that you mentioned this one.  Glad that you were able to use the unnecessry "down time," to get to know your clients.  The realtor sounds lovely and apologetic and we all make mistakes.  Way to get the measuring and all done quickly, once you made it in to the home.

Apr 29, 2013 04:07 AM