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Lost Wallet ... pay it forward

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty 470666

So I pull in to the Central Market parking lot this past Tuesday and I was pretty sure that was a woman's wallet I was about to run over.  Huh?  I stopped, of course, picked it up and proceed to a parking space.

I start looking through the wallet, feeling a bit intrusive, I see her license, I see we go to the same doggy day care, I check the name ... I'm just looking for a phone number, a business card.  Found one. 

Check the name real quick, put on my glasses to read the phone number and dial.  As I begin to hear her voice mail intro I notice the business card in my hand is for a store that is right in front of me.  Oh, excellent!  She works right here.

I march in, ask for MJ (not her real name), I see she is running around a bit frantic, I overhear someone say the word wallet, I announce I have it.  What a super relief for MJ ... she checks it real quick to make sure everything is there (it should be, there's no way it could have lasted more than a couple minutes in the middle of the parking lot).

She tries to pay me.  She's trying to stuff a few $20 bills into my pocket.

I anticipated this.

I refuse.  Say she would have done the same thing.

I hand her my business card.  She says "you're a Realtor?"  I say "I'm a very good Realtor."  And "please keep me in mind if you know of someone who needs a good one."  She looks me in the eye, pauses, shakes her head slowly and agrees that that would be a nice way to thank me.

New business?  Maybe.  A good day?  Definitely.

Lost wallet ... pay it forward.

Sherry Scales
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Leander, TX
Realtor, for Austin, TX and surrounding areas

Doing the right thing always feel so good! I hope she spreads the word for you!

Jan 23, 2009 10:58 AM
Simon Mills
Mills Realty - Toluca Lake, CA

Karma!  It will pay your back 10 fold.  You'll see.

Jan 23, 2009 10:59 AM
Gerry Khatchikian
Red Lodge, MT
ASA, TRC, SFR

Julie,

Great story!  Thank you for sharing it.   I also believe you will have very good things come your way as a result of this good deed.

Jan 23, 2009 11:04 AM
Vickie Slade
Colorado Landmark, Realtors - Boulder, CO
Service You Can Trust ~ Someone You Can Depend On

Julie, I have always been a huge fan of the "pay it forward" concept.  Not only is it amazing when you are the beneficiary of a act of kindness, but it feels even better when you are the one who gets to actually perform the thoughtful/kind act. 

Great post --- thanks for sharing this story.

Jan 23, 2009 11:10 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Doing the right thing is it's best reward.  Think of how many others would have picked up the wallet, used the credit cards, taken the cash and stolen her ID. 

Jan 23, 2009 12:38 PM
Dona Reynolds
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Stein Summers - Saint Joseph, MO
St. Joseph MO

Hi Julie!  Paying it forward is the right thing to do, as you did today.  I have lost mine also and it was great getting a call that it was found all in tack.  You will be repaid I am sure a hundred times.

Jan 23, 2009 03:03 PM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Julie,

Great story.  Restores faith in the fact there are still plenty of good people out there.

Jan 24, 2009 02:39 AM
Julie Nelson
eXp Realty - Austin, TX
Smart real estate.

Plenty.

Jan 24, 2009 03:26 AM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX

Julie, I would have no doubt you are a person of Intregity and one who would do the right thing.  I hope this lady sends you a ton of business because you are indeed a very fine Realtor.  It does feel good to help someone!  She was one lucky lady when you found her wallet.  :)

Jan 24, 2009 04:25 AM
Sonny Kwan
Quantum Group Commercial - Residential - Lease Seattle, WA - Mercer Island, WA
206-819-8228

That was a great gesture on your part to return the wallet and make a good attempt to get it back to the owner quickly. Hope your efforts were heard by others and they also pay it forward.

Jan 24, 2009 08:24 AM
Rob and Camille Di Maio
San Antonio Real Estate - Keller Williams Legacy - San Antonio, TX

I love the "Pay it Forward" concept.

Jan 24, 2009 11:37 PM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

Uplifting post and I would imagine that the lady will remember you in the future.

Jan 27, 2009 02:49 AM
Charlie Harden
Columbia, SC

Julie, good for you.  What a GREAT response, "I'm a very good realtor!"  I'm adopting that right now.

Jan 27, 2009 05:29 AM
Tom Boos
Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Providing the very best of service to Sellers and

Good for you!  I applaud your honesty and am sure you will indeed be rewarded in the future.  "Good News", like the "Bad News", does travel and that lady will be talking about you for some time to come.

Mar 04, 2009 08:44 AM