Most of my listings are pretty easy to show.  Normally the showing instructions say "Call first, leave a message, and then show."  But like a lot of us, once in a while I get one with access issues.  

This time it's called doggy and alarm system.  When the owner isn't home, I have to meet agents.  And I try to make it as easy as possible to show, even on pretty short notice.

Whenever I've shown houses that involved meeting agents, I made it clear to my buyers that we had to get there on time.  If it's one of those situations where I know the buyers are always late or we're going from the train station or airport to the house, I will suggest that I call the agent twenty minutes or so out.  

Usually, the houses with access complications are the big, expensive ones.   And I don't want to get a reputation, especially wtih the mansion market agents, for being a flake who shows up late. 

And I think almost all the agents I know are really considerate, whatever side of the transaction they may be on.  So, the other day, I was surprised when a colleague stood me up at a listing, following two conversations - one to set up the appointment and then he called back to reconfirm.  Then he no-showed with no call or anything!   

So I guess it's just about being polite - about doing what you say you will do (in this case showing up) or calling to try to rearrange things.  

So, while I won't badmouth the no-show agent to my colleagues, but I'm Irish!  I never forget stuff like this, and I've made a judgement that this agent is a flake!

Subscribe in a reader

 
Post is included in group: Realtors®

14 Comments on You Really Don't Want To Be One Of "Those" Agents, Do You?

MAY
05
2008
272,065 Points 3 Featured Posts Hit Router
I use  a showing service to schedule my showings and I think that no shows, while seriously rude, are just a fact of life in our business.
9:49pm • #1
301,384 Points 55 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Pat - No-shows are unacceptable. bad-mouth all you want.
10:06pm • #2
It happens to us all.  Try to shake it off and remain the professional you are and keep your Irish eyes smiling. 
10:12pm • #3
121,981 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
There are inconsiderate people that we have to deal with - both clients and sometimes agents. The first you can almost expect once in a while, the latter there is never an excuse for.
10:13pm • #4
1,550,453 Points 277 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
The rule is: the more expensive the home the flakier the agents seem to be, hee hee, that is why we get the listings when they expire:) 
10:22pm • #5
322,027 Points 28 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
How frustrating - I have called sellers or agents from the driveway to say the buyer has no interest - although hard - it is the right thing to do
10:22pm • #6
655,247 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Patricia,There is hardly anything that ticks me off more than to be stood up.  Its like there time is important but ours is not.
10:25pm • #7
I'd decide the agent is a flake, too.  Not just an ordinary flake but a huge flake of nasty dandruff.  I think his actions say "You're not important."
10:29pm • #8
1,908,368 Points 384 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ron, the showing service that agents around here use is so flaky that even when we call to cancel, the seller's rarely get the message passed on.  But when you know that either the sellers or the agents are waiting for you, it's a big more rude to no show without calling.

Carol,  maybe he'll show up at my broker's open tomorrow and I won't give him any food.

Barbara, I'll get over it!

Jim, I did have a client who was always about 15 to 20 minutes late, so I started to schedule it that way!

10:35pm • #9
MAY
07
2008
Outside Blog

Patty,

You just reminded me of the list of two to three agents that had made appointments with me and never showed up. I have their names and phone numbers saved on my phone. Of course, their names followed by never showed up for_____. This will be a reminder for me next time they call to show one of my listings.

At this point, I don't even know what I would say. I would love to say, please call me when you are there waiting for me.
7:48am • #10
2 Featured Posts
Sometimes plans change but when another agent or homeowner is inconvenienced a courtesy call is expected.
8:13pm • #11
1,908,368 Points 384 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Katerina, here it's the other way around.  Houses with smaller price tags seem to have much easier showing instructions.

Thesa, I try to make my buyers go in anyway, even if just for a couple of minutes.

Marchel, in this day of cell phones, there is no excuse.

Karen, dandrfuff flake!  I like that!

Yoana, I do that with the phone numbers of the guys who telemarket leads!

And Stacy, that's why God invented cell phones!

 
8:20pm • #12
MAY
10
2008
296,166 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog

There may be thousands of agents in the Metro area -  but it doesnt take long for the flakes to get remembered.
10:04pm • #13
MAY
14
2008
130,235 Points Outside Blog

Pat - unfortunately some people do those things and then can't even call later to apologize -
10:39am • #14

Login or register to leave a comment
 
Photo%20on%2012-9-12%20at%208 Ambassador_large

Patricia Kennedy

Washington, DC

More about me…

Evers & Company Realtors

Address: 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington, DC , 20015

Office Phone: (202) 364-1700

Cell Phone: (202) 549-5167

Email Me

Pat Kennedy -- author of The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate -- gives you a look at life on the streets as a real estate broker in our nation's capital. And her blog is peppered with great advice combined with humor!


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog