Glad I Checked My Voice Mail . . . I Don't Check That Very Often

Carla, I am onlyh two days late to this party but ... interesting discussion here. If we have a phone with voice mail then we have the DUTY to check for messages ... period!  I am not a fan of texting but will text when it is necessary.

Hey there CARLA,

well, that is especially for yo and meant for you...

Keep posting!

have a great day!

I had a problem with a Dr.'s office recently (couldn't reach them on the phone) so I went in person and said I have been leaving messages for weeks!  They said "oh sorry we never check the voice mail."  WTF??

Carla - I check my voicemail throughout the day, but sometimes it'll take me longer to respond to a voicemail than a text message.

Thanks Carla Muss-Jacobs, Principal Broker/Owner 

I have been guilty of that this week (due to foot), but luckily I don't represent other people.  And, I can see all the calls coming in, and most customers call the main #

Carla - you are so darn funny, what are these agents thinking. Years ago I called an agent that had shown one of my listings for feedback and he said "I dont give feedback!" I am guessing he is no longer in business but then again, he may have moved to Portland.

I found it hard to believe that an agent would put "text" as a way to arrange for a showing... wonder if their seller knows that... at Wittney we are old school... we have secretaries answer the phones and arrange appointment 7 days a week... after hours the call goes to a showing center... I think it good service for all... Good stuff Carla...

Carla, I think I worked with this agent a few months ago. Her listing said call for a showing appointment. No problem. I call. She doesn't answer. I leave a message. The next day she calls to tell me I can't show the property because I didn't call an hour before. No, I called the day before. She then tells me, "Oh, I don't check my voicemail very often." Oy vey!

Carla - it sounds crazy but it is true.  Checking the phone messages is essential.  How do people conduct business that way? 

Most phones tell you when someone leaves a voice mail message - it's not that hard to know one is there and check it.

By the way, I have one client who has no cell phone or email or computer. Everything must be done over the landline phone or in person. There are still some people out there who don't use technology, but if you've got it, you should use it!

Carla:  This non-action must be fairly common as I'm finding messages ignored more and more often.  Yeah ... yeah, I understand.  Business has picked-up.  Business is better.  We're all busy.  But if you're going to be in business, do it properly.  Check your messages and RESPOND.  Do neither and business is slowed .. and transactions jeopardized ...

Gene 

Texting to set up a showing?  I think the Seller of the home probably is not aware of this...mine would have a fit!

Carla, you crack me up, missy!!!!  Loved the  smoke signals part. So much for convenience and quickness with the whole texting thing. It really isn't necessarily the quickest way. Especially out in boonieland (i.e., Fishhawk Lake) where there still isn't any reliable cell service. 

He must only cater to 20-somethings for clients. Too bad, 'cause they don't often have the buckos to buy like some of us "oldsters".

Carla,No matter how busy you are, there is no excuse for tossing aside professionalism in the way you deal with clients. Promptl responding to voice mails is extremely important. Many of the busy CEOs I know, find time to personally return calls, and being responsive is the reason they are successful.  

Carla, I called an agent this morning to schedule a showing for tomorrow. The agent did answer her phone but then told me to text the info to her and she'd get back to me. Why didn't she just let the dang phone go to voicemail? Instead I was inconvenienced because she didn't want to write down the info and get back to me. Stupid.

Really Carla, who's the loser?

The sales professional who only chooses to communicate in one way?  Just because someone tells me they want to communicate in one way doesn't obligate me to communicate that way, does it?  There may be a reason that I choose not to extend the courtesy of your "preferred" communication, perhaps I needed a conversation before I set up a showing.

A few days ago, a new client asked which method of communication I preferred (text/email/phone).  My response was "it doesn't matter, any as you wish will be fine".  She looked at me  like I had 3 heads and smiled.

We are in sales and in customer service; to presume to dictate how people should communicate assumes a royal priviledge which I don't believe we have.

Carla, I still like to call and talk. I guess that dates me because everyone seems to like to just text everything.

What a jerk.  Of course you should check your voicemail, you are in business aren't you?????

Not checking voice mail is such poor service it is surprising that any responsible business person would take that approach.