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A Case of Mistaken Identity ~ But It's All Good!!

Yesterday, I received the most interesting phone call.

"Do you remember when you gave my friend and me your card at the restaurant last week? When you were waiting on us?"

*Blink*

For the record, I'm not a waitress, although I play one on TV my kids and hubby sometimes think I am!

The caller was having lunch with a friend and talking about her daughter's condo that had been listed for almost FOUR YEARS. Her daughter wasn't happy with her current realtor and was thinking of switching when the listing expires (in April). The friend apparently is also in need of real estate services. So the waitress says to them, "I'm also a real estate agent. Here's my card!"

It seems she gave the friend the correct card, but gave the caller my card! I asked her if the card had my photo on it. No, it didn't. Ah-ha! Those are the cards I leave when I'm either previewing or showing homes to buyers. The real estate agent/waitress must have picked up the cards and got mine mixed up with hers!

The friend did try calling her, left a message, and hasn't heard back. Me? I'm now researching condo comps and may have secured a client. Mom is wonderful, looking out for her daughter. And she may also want to sell her condo in the not-so-distant future.

You hear it all the time, but you never really do know where your next client will come from!

Keep leaving those business cards laying around!!!

Sue

Does Your Real Estate Agent "Sell With Soul"?

The Golden Rule...it's that simple!

Posted by Sue Gabriel on 03/24/2009 07:38 AM

Comments (17)

real estate agent, remax pros, sue gabriel, condos, cleveland, northeast ohio, north olmsted

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17 Comments on A Case of Mistaken Identity ~ But It's All Good!!

MAR

2009

Hi Sue,

First off, I love the strikethrough- made me laugh! Secondly, you have a great smile and lastly, good for you!

Congratulations! What a great story and the waitress will probably never know she gave them your card. I never would have thought to have 2 different cards. Good luck!

Luck...fate....divine intervention....who cares? Take the opportunity and run. Good luck!

Thank you Cindy!!! Life is good! : )

Sue, Love it I have gotten business from wait staff before. Interestingly her not calling back shows another case of a lack of follow up on the other agent's part. Good for you.

Sue,

Tis is weird. You really never know where the call may come from. Especially, because I thought people are not that willing to call waitresses/realtors, or haidressers/realtors, or taxi drivers/realtors. Here a lot of people have licenses, who are not in real estate full time. It is pretty much useless. They are usually finders at best.

LOL...her daughter's condo has been listed for FOUR years? And she's not happy, so she's calling a waitress? (Well, she thought she was!) That just cracked me up...but GOOD FOR YOU!! Somehow, somewhere, someone IS looking out for these folks, directing them to a real agent! You never know where that next deal is coming from, for sure.

Great Story, Sue. Good luck with it. It's very difficult for part time real estate agents to be responsive and on top of their profession.

Kristin ~ When I joined my new office last summer, I received 500 free business cards...without my pic. Those are the ones I use for showings, etc. The picture cards I design & print at home. Yes, I'm a control freak! : )

Gary ~ That's what I'm doing! And in 15 minutes of basic research, it's pretty obvious the condo is overpriced. But there are 2 on tour today in the same complex, so I'll get to see what the newest competition looks like.

Post RE Group ~ I'm definitely one of those who answers my phone! Unless I'm with a client, of course. But I get back to folks within an hour!

Jon ~ It actually surprised me, too, that they would have called her. There's so much competition out there for business. But she may have been very friendly and knowledgabe, too! Still bugs me...where did that other agent pick up MY card? And why???

What a brilliant story! Kinda up there with the bank teller, eh? There really is something magic about having that antenna up...

I can't wait to hear the follow-up to this story!

funny story..

Long ago I got a call once from a guy who said he found my card on the ground, but he was a FSBO. I found that kinda odd. It turned out he was dating a friend of mine.... he found my card on the ground at her home? I found that creepier that he had not said, _____ _____ gave me your card or I found your card at ____ _____ 's home. He told me he was called me because of my picture. You date a friend of mine, but you want me to come to your house because you like the looks of me? I met him once. Creepy.

Good luck with your new prospective clients.

Great story Sue, I try to leave cards anywhere that I can. I even gave one to the Police officer that gave me a Speeding ticket a few years ago.

Your post also reminds me of the need to Promote yourself as much as the Company you work for. I know too many Realtors that have changed companies and only had their office phone number and website on their cards. Good for you for having your personal business phone number and/or website that way they could contact you instead of the lead going to the company you used to work for.

Susan ~ How bizarre, eh? But I previewed the condo today, and it's really nice!! The HOA is a royal pain in the behind, though...no lock boxes, so showings are difficult. But I'm determined to make them glad they called me!

Gabe ~ I actually had more transactions last year while still working part-time as a bookkeeper. I'll always believe it's your attitude and aptitude that make you "full-time"...not necessarily the number of hours you put on the clock. I think maybe she was just harried and grabbed the wrong card. Heck, I've been afraid of handing someone my vet's card instead of mine! : )

Jennifer ~ I'm meeting them Sunday for lunch!

Maureen ~ Now that IS strange! A compliment, of course...but still kinda icky. I guess we really don't want EVERY client, do we??

Tim ~ Oh, she had my current company's card. I just had my own made up after starting with RE/MAX because I wanted my pic on them. The card she was given was this company, too...it just didn't have my mug shot on it. lol By the way, did the police officer ever refer business your way??

Sue, It was a few years ago. And all I got was a refinance from him on his home. And the ticket of course. No I did not charge him more because of the ticket. I was speeding.

Hey if you do not ask, you get nothing and even if you ask you may not get anything. I do prefer to ASK FOR THE BUSINESS.

With that said..... How about a referral someday. !!!

MAR

2009

Tim ~ Well, at least he refinanced with you! I do leave my card with a nice tip at restaurants, and I have my antenna up if the subject of real estate comes up...but I don't see myself doing the "I love referrals!" thing on mailings, etc. But whatever works for you! : )

APR

2009

Hey Sue,

This is just a great example of handing your business card to as many people as possible and also having an excellent way to do a little tracking at the same time!!

APR

2009

Hi Khash!

Or do we hand out our card to less people, more often?? Better check with your Mom on that one! lol

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Sue Gabriel

North Olmsted, OH

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Cell Phone: (440) 552-2128

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I like to write about life...real estate, parenthood, my neighborhood...and just about anything else that seems to move me at the time!

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