I was just driving a few moments ago, on the way to my office to work on a Saturday.
(I am always proud to service my Arizona loan clients on the weekend, because I know so much of my competition does not.)
Anyway, I got behind a guy driving a very high-end black Mercedes. Very nice car...
I don't remember what model it was-- for those of you that would know your Mercedes models if I told you.
Probably because I was immediately distracted by his license plate.
It said something very close to: ITSMRTOU (I don't want to put his actual Arizona license plate number online, so I changed it for the sake of his own well-deserved embarassment.)
He wanted his message to be read as "It's Mister To You" and I could not see any other possible configuration.
So, naturally, due to the $80,000 car, my first reaction was to dismiss this guy to be an arrogant jerk-- somebody who wanted everyone that drove behind him to know that he is to be addressed "Mister So-and-So" or maybe even "Mister Mercedes."
It makes me wonder if he is defective in other areas; so much so that he needs an automobile to command respect from strangers.
I also realized the possibility that this could be a joke and he could be a super-nice guy with a wacky sense of humor. So I finally settled on that.
He must just be a laugh riot; the class clown and that's it.
As I passed him I noticed he had a sign on his door. He was a Realtor and he was advertising his name, number and website.
Now that changed everything!
I went from a knee-jerk reaction when I first saw him, to deciding that it was all just a silly joke...and now I settle on a new feeling: This guy does not realize that his license plate is going to be offensive to some people, especially clients who may never be able to afford a Mercedes, and who also believe they shouldn't call their Realtor "Mister."
My personal feeling is that the Realtor is working for me; and I refuse to prostrate myself to someone who works for me. You want me to call you mister? Well, since I was raised well, I call everybody "mister" anyway.
But the same people who raised me well also taught me that people deserve respect and deserve to be called mister. I do not recall Mom and Dad telling me that paying $29 for an Arizona license plate somehow earned you respect.
You may say, "Aw heck, he's obviously doing well for himself. So who cares?"
Because I personally believe that every client counts and deserves respect. Except those who treat me rudely... Okay, most clients deserve respect anyway.
I just think a little humility goes a long way. Maybe you agree with me; maybe you agree with Mr. Mercedes, Realtor Extraordinaire and all-around Expensive Car Guy.
~by Mr. Michael George, Arizona Mortgage Blogger Extraordinaire and you can call me Mr.
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