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Fat Realtor on Scooter?

I drive way too much, and it costs way too much.

With the price of gas at an all-time high I have been thinking about all this driving I do. Like many of you I have a mid-to-large sized vehicle so I can drive buyers around comfortably. But I find that about 75% of the time it is just me in the vehicle - shuttling documents around and meeting sellers and so on. So I have been thinking about gettting a scooter as a second business vehicle. I was talking it over with one of my colleagues, Sabrina Wieranga, the other day, and the idea is stuck in my head.

Anyone else considered this or is doing this now? What do you think are the pros and cons?

Posted by Andrew Kyle - Calgary Condo Realtor on 06/23/2008 11:28 AM

Comments (55)

scooter, driving, fat, gas

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55 Comments on Fat Realtor on Scooter?

JUN

2008

Thought about it but you will not appear professional and you limit what you can carry. The other thought is for safety.

I don't think you can fit too many clients on your scooter when showing property.

Adam hit it...safety and limit on what you can carry. Get a SMART!!

great thought but not very realistic. What happens if you are out on your scooter and get a call to go show something asap

I do not think customer will think less of you by you have a scooter. They may ask you where you got it so they can get one.

"I do not think customer will think less of you by you have a scooter. They may ask you where you got it so they can get one."

Yeah, that was my thinking too. I'm not so sure it would appear unprofessional. If anything, i think it would fit with the green, urban professional image I have and want to cultivate further.

As for the last minute call to show someone a property... I generally don't do that.

As for the ability to carry what I need - it's all in my satchel now, my portable office hanging from my shoulder - I just move it onto my back and zoom! (at 100 miles to the gallon)

If you figure out the cost of the scooter, the registration and insurance, etc., and then figure out your gas savings, it might surprise you how long it takes for you to break even on the scooter expense. Also, I see that you are in Canada, and like us in Maine, there are some months that you just won't be able to use the scooter.

I'm with ya, tho, because I have thought along the same lines. But the numbers didn't really work for me. Instead of the incremental expense of a scooter or gas saver vehicle, I am making an effort to be more efficient in my driving. If you do go with the scooter, just please drive very safe and best of luck!

Thanks for the perspective Margaret. Those same thoughts and calculations have been rolling around in my brain. I'm just not sure if it all adds up to a net benefit.

If you are a good scooter driver, I say go for it. You can use it in your marketing. You will be easily identified, you can spin it as an ecological, idealist option instead of a personal money saver. As a side note, I never drive clients anyway, I don't like to and I don't. First I don't want the liability, Second I want to be able to scoot off after showings no matter where I am and not have to ferry anyone back to point A. and I have never had a complaint about it. I think clients like the privacy of the time they get to talk about homes as they follow me from one to the next and they too get to scoot to where they want to go when we are done (and if the stars align we will both head to my office to write an offer) Put your picture of you and the scooter in your ads, get a catchy slogan, put your website on the back of your leather jacket to be a moving billboard.

I like Beths idea of turning the whole thing into a promotion. As long as you can carry what you need on the scooter or in your satchel, then why not? If you can make it work then the only other concerns are safety and weather.

It depends on what your doing...if your doing something like a quick trip to the office to grab a file or something...maybe but i think the overall perception is that if realtors do not think it looks professional what do you think the customer will most likely think! Keep it in mind! Also you only need 1-2 sales on average to pay todays gas price. Andrew I have a gas guzzling truck with a V8 and have considered downgrading but overall since I run 2 businesses...Mobile DJ work on the side and Real Estate...ultimately it wouldn't make sense to get rid of my truck even though it really guzzles gas. If paying for gas is difficult or you just cringe at the pump...consider trying to get more paid work or something....I have noticed a tremendous amount of Realtors discuss the effect of gas on their business...even I typed up a few blogs on the subject. Good Luck Andrew! Hope this price does go down soon...at least we all hope. Everyone must be pro-active and assume that it will not go down ...if your not working to sell more to pay for this expense then you will realize a lower margin this year. Good Job,

Thanks,

Tom Davis

World Class Delaware Realtor

JUN

2008

Thanks for the input everyone!

This is very timely. I was just discussing this with an associate of mine. She wants to get one, mostly because they are very affordable and cheap to run. I got a VW Bug a when gas went to $3 2 years ago. I later though when the price came down again, it was an over reaction. It was not!

Andrew - give it another year or two and I think you will see some better options. There are already some great 3 wheel "scooter-vehicles" out there that get up to 96 miles to a gallon. Once competition hits that market, we will see prices drop and availability become much easier. 3 wheelers are the norm in many countries - we have just lagged behind.

Tina in Virginia

Andrew - Sorry for the non sequitur, but your title reminded me of those Guinness Book twins from the 70's:

I drive a gas guzzler and almost every day I think about switching to a scooter or motorcycle. I prefer a motorcycle just for safety - they're a little louder and have a lot more power. But the break-even point is a year or two.

Scooters with 3 side cars..... 2 for the clients and one to carry all your stuff

I think a scooter is a great idea. Obviously run your numbers with insurance etc. but to do a lot of the running around that's required, I think it's a great solution. Plus you are right, you can position it as a cutting edge, green, latest in the realtor world etc.

BTW, love your title!

I am a home inspector, and I have also thought about it for a bout a minute... untill I realized that there is NO Way to carry a ladder on one of thise things. (It took you a whole minute realize that??) yep... a whole minute.

I think its brilliant. There was a great post earlier about how fast change is happening in this industry, and that conversation has to include transportation. The days of cruising a land-boat around town are over. You're an Real Estate Professional, not a taxi-driver...but if you do need to haul clients around at some point, consider having a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris ready to go.

I think it is a great idea. . .plus, you can get a little sun in the process.

You don't look fat to me. My husband just said that he wants to get one to drive to work. We live about 1/2 mile from his job and it is about 114 degrees here right now, so I kinda vetoed that.

Maybe you could put your logo on the gas tank and license plate 'This Realtor will save you $$$'.

I am keeping my 2005 Camry - it gets 30 mpg in town! Gas here is $4.27.

It might make sense if you could find a good used one and your family would also find it useful. I have to give you an A plus for thinking about it.

Just don't get a PINK one :) I am seeing more scooters around. My car gets 28 in town so I am still ok - do you remember the Seinfeld episode with the Rickshaw - we might all be doing this soon with clients.

I can see this in the summer, but those rainy winter days???? I do think it's important to be a "leader" in all facets of our business, though, and the perception, if one buys a hybrid, is that concern for the larger environment (which also means concern for the particular community's well-being) is in the forefront of a business "plan". Just a thought!

Here, where there are a lot of Islands involved, re showings, I end up with a power boat. maybe will have to change to sail????

Li Read, RE/MAX Salt Spring,B.C., Canada

liread33@gmail.com

I have to say, I like the idea. If I didn't have two kids, a husband and a golden retriever...I'd buy a smart car.

Cheron Lange

The scooter looks like fun! I might consider that. I bought a two seater sportscar back last Sept. I still have my 4 door sedan(drove it w/ clients for 4 years)... but now it is for sale. I never drive it or clients anymore. They either meet me there or follow behind. Now I can enjoy my private time in my car alone with my cell phone, computer, files and navagation. Plus if I am hungry ...I eat. Life is good! No client complaints either.

ha ha love the title. Noway hosay! I drive a big vehicle cuz I'm afraid of being hit! your deadmeat on a scooter. you life is worth more than the price of gas my friend!

Might make sense if you were to leave your regular car at the office so that if the need arises it would be handy.

Andrew:

Believe me, the thought has more than once crossed my mind. I thought you might enjoy this article from the Boston Globe that just published yesterday. I read this article yesterday and now I read your blog, believe me you've got my mind thinking. The article is called, "Ciao car, hello Vespa"

It shows the definite pros and cons of riding, especially in a big city like Boston. Also, in around the 12th paragraph it mentions, "The Vespa's wasp-like 50-ccs were powerful enough to get her moving with traffic, but not strong enough to require a motorcycle license, insurance, or a registration. Best of all, she could park almost anywhere." This would seemingly solve your concern about insurance costs and the likes, because well... there are none!

Thanks for the post Andrew!

I agree. Safety and professionalism.

LOL... I've been thinking of getting one! My hubby says he'll ride his bicycle to work.

I understand the concern. I have commented to my husband that if I had the money right now I would buy an SUV to park in the driveway and use it only for showing houses. I have a Jetta diesel that averages around 45 mile per gallon that I have used since I started real estate in 2005. I might have had one or two clients not like it, but for the most part, my clients are more interested in the fact that it is diesel and a five speed with a clutch than anything else.

As for the Realtor(R) image, at least I am not driving a car with five colors on it the way I saw one agent. I have also found that driving a larger more expensive vehicle would probably alienate more of my clients than anything. Most are first time home buyers, in the Air Force and have to watch a budget.

I am just not a scooter type of guy...but the right paint job on that scooter would be great advertising.

My Realtor rode a scooter when we bought our first home last year. Now, she is pretty quirky, so the scooter complimented her image quite well. And this is Seattle, where energy conservation is a popular and well accepted way of life. Her scooter was actually quite a talking point during our visits to the house; so much so, that when Christmas rolled around, my wife presented me with a huge wooden crate ... it had a brand new scooter in it. I love my scooter!

Maureen Francis has one!

Toyota Prius

Green, fairly inexpensive, 45-50 miles to the gallon, impresses your tree hugger clients, and hauls 4 adults easily and comfortably.I had 2 different buyers end up purchasing one last year after riding around with me for a day or so.

They're beefing up the battery in the 09 models and looking to get 90-100 MPG with them.

This is mine.

toyota prius

Dear Andrew - would NOT EVEN CONSIDER IT - especially US 19 in the heart of Pinellas!!!!

Andrew - I have to add that I am seeing more and more men in suits driving them around here.

A side car for clients, now that would be hilarious!

I really support the idea if you can manage it. I am fortunate enough to walk to my office so that saves a ton of money in gas. It really starts to get expensive when a trip to the office costs $4+, and that doesn't include driving around.

Insurance on some of those scooters (depending on how many CC's) is really cheap. A couple of tanks of gas cheap ~200.

Andrew if you work a small geo area this would be great. I would do it. For myself I cover about 200 mile range from Baton Rouge to New Orleans to Slidell. I will not buy another auto until I can plug it in or it runs on water.

LOL.....My only thought is..... it sure would mess up may hair wearing the helmet!! :)

I've been riding for almost ten years. I wouldn't dream of getting on a two wheeler (moped or otherwise) without professional training. The statistics --and hazards -- are slanted against the biker. Ride safe.

I hear the Segway's making a comeback for these same reasons.

I have been looking at smart cars and they look like little beatles but are very economical and most of my day is not shuffling people in my caravan its shuffling stuff from one place to another....I will keep the van for showings but for 10-16K why not be the ECO friendly agent.

Todd Hueffed

Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter I have been thinking of a scooter, too. It is a little different, but will get much better mileage than the F350 Crew Cab I normally drive...

I would expect to get around 45mpg. I know i could pick up a mid-90s Honda that could do better... in fact, a 92 Civic HF would do better than a Prius... but this is WAY cooler. And it would be comfortable on longer jaunts.

Hummm......I wonder what it would be like in the rain, heat and snow? Let me know your thoughts.

JUN

2008

Lane, I like the way you think buddy.

With the price of unleaded pushing $4.53 and diesel at $5.03 I would love to use less, but I kind of like having a little sheetmetal around me. A motorcycle or scooter just isn't practical for kind of day to day driving that we do. In an urban area I think you could easily get away with it though.

Hey, not sure If I would do the scooter but the smart car is a good choice. I bought a bright yellow and black one and I I love it. It is not only fun kinda girly i have to admit but it is a conversation starter. Good luck.

Alison Creamer

www.bzibee.com

REMAX ALLEGIANCE

Alison Creamer

www.bzibee.com

REMAX ALLEGIANCE

Forget Anything that runs on Gas -- go for one of these bad boys --> http://www.teslamotors.com/

Slap your sign on that and you'll get attention.

JUN

2008

Wow, what a time for my computer to die... my post got featured!

Thanks for the useful and funny comments everyone! Some interesting food for thought there.

DEC

I just got a Honda Metropolitan for Christmas..its a bit cold right now but I cannot wait to scoot into town and to my office...

Just a quick follow up Picture...and I have to disagree with those whosay clients will think less of you. Obviously the scooter is not for all business duties! With a New "Green" designation for Realtors, A gad friendly scooter makes much sense!

Nice wheels Tara!!

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