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HOW DO I GENTLY RELAY THE MESSAGE I'M NOT ON CALL 24/7?

By
Real Estate Agent with Robert Defalco Realty

Hello Active Rain Community! I have some nice customers that were happy with my work back in Sept '08 and have since referred me several others. It is customary for them to sometimes call me evening hours for a quick question or big problem (real estate related of course). In the past, I have answered the phone at inconvenient times because I knew the possible importance of the issue, yet it could have waited till the following day. However, last night "pushed the button". They called at 6:30 p.m. (leaving a voice mail to call me as soon as you get this message) but I couldn't answer-dinnertime with the family, and then again called at 8:30 saying you can call us anytime up until 11pm-"we're up". Well, I would be up too but I feel there has to be a line where real estate ends and family/personal  life begins. Any suggestions how to get this point across "gently" without hurting feelings and/or losing good customer relations?  Also, what's your opinion?

Comments (4)

Irena (Esphir) Popilevsky
RealEstateSINY.com - Staten Island, NY
NYS Licensed Broker/Owner . Short Sale Specialist

Hey Deborah,

I don't know about the 8:30 P.M. call but the 6:30 phone call is o.k. with me.

Sorry if I didn't give you an answer you like. But then again it's probably me.

Mar 09, 2009 06:13 AM
Concetta Pepenella-Timmons
Remax Metro Staten Island, New York - Staten Island, NY
Associate Broker

I would have returned the call right after dinner. 6:30PM is a reasonable time to call and talk business.

Mar 10, 2009 05:03 AM
Deborah Bracco
Robert Defalco Realty - Staten Island, NY
NYS Licensed Realtor, Staten Island New York Home

I agree with both of you Connie & Irena, 6:30 is a reasonable time to  call.  It was the 8:30 phone call suggesting I  call back any time up until 11 pm that bothered me. I guess if I would have called back soon after the 6:30 call the 8:30 call might not have happened. However, I did call back the  next day, and as usual, the matter did not need immediate attention. To top it off, they called again at 9 pm last night,  and once again  I called back the next day. Oh, well..........

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it! 

Mar 10, 2009 05:52 AM
Irena (Esphir) Popilevsky
RealEstateSINY.com - Staten Island, NY
NYS Licensed Broker/Owner . Short Sale Specialist

hey but you know what, if they give you business then it is well worth it.

Good Luck

Mar 10, 2009 11:32 AM