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Are You Late or Punctual!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Complete Realty, LLC

Are you late or punctual!

Lately is seems my life is surrounded by appointments that start 15 minutes to a ½ hour late.

How does being late affect you and the people you are late meeting?

If I have a 2:00 showing and the people don't arrive until 2:15, we have to rush or I will be late for my 3:00.  If I'm late for my 3:00, it looks like I don't care about that client.

If I have a meeting at 12:00 and people stroll in between 12:15 and 12:30, I'm sorry that's just rude.  I understand life happens sometimes, but not to 50% of the people attending the meeting.   That tells me and the others that arrive on time; these people don't care as much as we do about the task at hand.   It hurts my feelings, especially since I have to be there 15 minutes early to set up.  I feel like they don't care about my schedule or job.  I have learned to start the meeting and if the late people want to be brought up to speed, they can read the notes.

Now if I am late to my first appointment of the day, it takes me awhile to regroup.  It kind of throws my whole day off.  That's a huge punishment, not to mention I feel guilty because I wonder if the person that arranged the meeting feels like I do when others are late.

Being late can not be good for your health.  It causes stress because you are rushing and then embarrassed because everyone is looking at you and wondering why you are late.  Then again, I would imagine be late would throw their day off too!

It's a vicious cycle, so can we try just to be on time!!!!

What do you think?

Comments(8)

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Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed
I don't like it even more when the buyer doesn't show up for an appointment at all, cannot be reached, does not call. I agree, Angie, that it is rude to keep other people waiting.
Jun 09, 2007 03:40 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County
Being late is disrespectful of the other party. I make it a point to be early - exactly 5 minutes early. Don't waste my time and I will not waste yours! Good post
Jun 09, 2007 04:03 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
I try to play a game with myself and set my watch 15 minutes ahead of time.  I actually forget I have set it ahead -- if I am EARLY then I have a magazine or newpaper I read -- it is a great tool -- I rarely am late -- now if I can get my clients, friends and colleagues to do the same.
Jun 09, 2007 04:06 AM
Joe Adams
Major Mortgage USA/Branch Manager - Montrose, CO
the sad part is that the clients for the most part DONT CARE if they are late, I try to allow an extra 15 minutes in between appointmnets.  But what really gets me is the appointmnet afterhours or on Saturday and they fail to show or even call. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Jun 09, 2007 04:51 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living
If that isn't my pet peeve also... but then again, I always thought it was because of my German roots! 
Jun 09, 2007 06:58 AM
Leo Namiot - LeoLends.com
Canopy Mortgage - Leo Namiot - Saint Augustine, FL
More than just great rates
I always try to keep my appointments on time and try to get some free marketing out of it when it's a business appointment, Rather than saying I will be there @ 12:00 I will say I will be there at 12:08 and you know more times that not people will start looking at their clock @ 12:00 and keep looking or thinking of you for that eight minutes, that's a free 8 minute commercial.
Jun 09, 2007 01:04 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I am a very prompt person and I get very upset when I'm late. I'm one of those people that will leave 30 minutes early and park 4 blocks away just to make sure I am on time. I am very punctual and yesterday a client wanted me to call her at 8am and I called her at 8:00am and 1 second and she answered the phone and said you are the most prompt person I have ever met! You said 8:00 and you called at 8:00 - WOW!

Jun 09, 2007 05:48 PM
Angie Ridley
Complete Realty, LLC - Flint, MI
Broker, ABR, CRS, PMN, WCR, At Home With Diversity

I love the 12:08 appointment idea.  I never thought of marketing like that.  Diffently thinking outside the box.

Our lives are run on schedules, we just ask that everyone please be on time.

Jun 11, 2007 02:40 AM