I ate lunch with Frank Chapple
yesterday. Great lunch. We talked politics, people, history, and then sales. Frank owned TV stations in the past, and is now engaged in the mortgage business. We miss the old days.
I'm 52, and Frank is - well - older. He speaks of things before my time, so I know this.
I've heard Realtors complain for years about how Mortgage people don't return phone calls. You know the old saying, point one finger towards someone, 3 point back at you...
I can understand some people not calling me back. I'm a Broker, I'm in recruiting mode. Probably pisses them off. Don't want my calls, tired of people calling them. But, what if I'm a buyer? A lister? What about Frank? They don't know him, except that he's been around Wichita for years. He's been head of our Chamber of Commerce, a pilot, very well connected. I started thinking MAYBE the problem is bigger than just my recruiting. Maybe Realtors don't return LOTS of calls!!
I've had 4 people PROMISE to call me back with decisions on moving from their company in the last week. 3 of them didn't call, and won't return my calls. No email, nothing. 1 person had an appointment and just didn't show up. I called, no response. I emailed, and he told me that the morning had gone bad, but he still wanted to meet (Second meeting, finalize plans), he just got too busy...
I've certainly forgot appointments. I've been held up. I've had calls I tried to duck. But I also try and get some sort of response. Like not interested, don't call, Give me time to think about it. I REALLY try to return calls I promise to return.
Realtors spend TONS trying to get quick response, cell phones, text messages, email on phone, contacts from our web to cell. I'm now working with Cell Signs to get homes to text, and text for appointment by the consumer. All this, and we can't call each other back.
I guess Frank and I are irritation, and they would NEVER treat a customer that way, Right? Or another Realtor trying to Coop? WRONG. I get calls from my agent's clients and coop Realtors asking WHY someone won't call them back.
Our industry is in TROUBLE, from the economy, from the inventory, from information access by the general public, from Web access by FSBO's, from bad press. And here we are helping them kill it.
This isn't a threat, but I'm saying publicly: I'm thinking maybe I've out lived my time in this industry. If we can't treat humans better than this, maybe I'll turn my attentions to my photography, my web art, advertising for others. I'm tired of getting POOR treatment....
PS: My Wife say's I'm so DESPERATE to return my calls, I'll write while driving to call someone I DON'T EVEN LIKE just to make sure I don't miss something....
;)
Links;)
Tags (Tag Cloud);)
Archives
Greg, Yes it is sad. Especially since now we have all the tools at our fingertips via our smart phones. My husband gets really mad when I email clients at night. The truth of the matter is I will forget if I do not! The next day will start with challenges and problems.