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Screening Leads - "No I won't work with you"

By Larry Wright

Real Estate Agent with nwRealty.Com

August 29, 2007 04:24 AM

Yep ... I've already had one of "those" calls this morning. We all have these stories ... Welcome to Monday Part III.

We generate leads for our agent/broker advertisors from all around Washington and late last night a web lead arrived for some Gifford real estate located on Lake Roosevelt in Stevens County, WA. The lady that submitted the inquiry already called this morning before I could send the lead to an agent in the area.

My old "Fundamentals" training kicked in when I saw she indicated that she is already working with an agent. When she confirmed this verbally on the phone I automatically asked "Will you consider working exclusively with one of our Network agents?" Well ... she didn't like that question at all and sharply responded "NO!"

She liked it even less when I suggested she rely on her agent for this kind of service ... "My agent is out of town. Just answer my questions!" So I told her "I'm sure your agent's broker or another agent from her office will be happy to help you." All I heard was a rather loud CLICK.

I know that public awareness campaigns have been launced by numerous local, state, regional and national associations. But there are still a lot of people that consider REALTORS as their "whipping boy/girl".

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Christopher Benedict

BIG Realty - Collegeville, PA

AskTheBigGuy

Hey, way to stand up for yourself. As I often tell people like that, I am not a secretary. If you have an agent, let them earn their keep!

Aug 29, 2007 04:52 AM

Ray Perry

CENTURY 21 The Neil Company Real Estate - Roseburg, OR

Realtor, CRS, GRI, e-PRO

It takes all kinds. You want to provide service for them and they refuse to participate. You'd be better off without them. Sour grapes.

Aug 29, 2007 05:46 AM

David Slavin

Keller Williams Premier - Katy, TX

CDPE, ABR, SRES Keller Williams Premier

Some people want to just use us! They have no intention of hiring us, they just want us to be there at their beckoned call.

Aug 29, 2007 05:50 AM

Larry Wright

nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA

Thanks Christopher, Ray & David ... I learned long ago (the hard way) that trying to convert this type of prospect is more of a headache than it is worth. Your much better off to directly ask the "exclusivity" question up front ... if they don't want you, you definately don't want their business.

Aug 29, 2007 02:56 PM

Valarie Grisham

Keller Williams - Lake Stevens, WA

I agree. It's not worth it. Plus they can't expect you to work for free. Some people!

Aug 29, 2007 02:59 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I do this on every phone call now! It is such a waste of time if they are working with 5 other realtors that wouldn't return their phone calls. HMMMM...Wonder why?

So next time I come to Tacoma are you taking me out to Frisco Freeze? - lol

That is the thing I miss about Tacoma! Lived at 12^th & K street for 2 years, so you can probably see why I don't miss it so much.

Aug 29, 2007 05:17 PM

Larry Wright

nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA

Todd ... give us a call when you're in town ... Deb & I will buy you a latte

Aug 30, 2007 04:20 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Latte, no way! Frisco Freeze Double Cheeseburger, then we are talking - lol

Aug 30, 2007 04:27 AM

Debi Wright

nwRealty.com - Seattle, WA

Todd - Frisco Freeze it is... but there is a great burger joint in Fife... just a greasy spoon that you have to stand in line for HOURS... goes back to the good-ol'-days when Fife was just a dot on the map... Latte's are paying for the kids education... gotta keep that Starbucks stock up...

Aug 30, 2007 04:40 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I worked in Fife in 1988-1990, What burger place is that?

Aug 30, 2007 04:49 AM

Larry Wright

nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA

I don't recall the burger place's name but it's just a little "hut" that hundreds of people flock to at lunch time.

Aug 31, 2007 04:28 AM

Nancy Brenner

Referral Associates of Georgia, Inc. - Roswell, GA

Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent

I get that "My agent is out of town" frequently when folks respond of some of my ads. I just tell them politely that I don't want to step on thir agents toes and then suggest, like you did, to call the agents office for assistance.

Aug 31, 2007 08:41 AM

Larry Wright

nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA

Nancy ... callers still don't know that it is their agent's broker who is ultimately responsible for their transaction. We tend to keep that little detail quiet for the sake of "risk management".

Sep 01, 2007 04:41 AM

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

It takes all types...there is no doubt about that! At least you were not the one that 'clicked'....I am not too sure about how I would have handled her....

Sep 01, 2007 06:10 AM

Debbie White

Southeast Alaska Real Estate - Juneau, AK

I Sell Alaska!

I recently had a lady call who wanted to see one of my lower end listings RIGHT NOW. I asked the question and she advised me she was looking for her daughter, who was the office manager for another broker, so of course she would use her employer to write the offer. Um, okay... thanks for being honest. However, I had an appointment for a listing appointment on a waterfront home and I was on my way there. The appointment was made weeks ago to accomodate the travel schedule of one of the owners.

I was trying to be nice, and of course, get my listing sold...As a courtesy to the other broker, since his office is about 12 miles from the property, I told her I'd open the place up after my other appointment, in about two hours. That wasn't good enough for her, and she actually expected me to reschedule my other appointment. Yeah, right. Finally she got frustrated and said a few unkind words before hanging up on me. Whatever.

The next day, I get several phone calls from the other broker with questions about the property. We talked, and I told him about my experience. He was embarrassed but of course he cannot control the lady, only his client/employee. We both agreed that he wouldn't get paid enough for his headaches...

A few days later my sellers were at the property, doing some general outside cleaning and mowing the lawn since it was a sunny day. The lady actually stopped and talked to them... told them don't bother looking at this place as it's already sold... you are wasting your time, etc. My sellers sweetly thanked her, told her who they were, etc.

Two more days later I follow up with the broker to find out his employee decided to rent, and has signed a two year lease. She won't be buying anything. Oh what fun to tell the seller.

What a mess. Just goes to show that some of these people just aren't worth it! You did the right thing!

Sep 01, 2007 08:50 AM

Larry Wright

nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA

Thanks for sharing Debbie

Sep 02, 2007 05:09 AM

Vicki Bishop GRI - Alabama Real Estate

Coldwell Banker United Realtors® - Bay Minette, AL

I get a little tired of that happening, guy calls ask about property I ask him if he has a agent .Why yes i do she told me to call you and get the info on the property.

Sep 02, 2007 12:01 PM

Larry Wright

nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA

Vicki ... This must have been your listing, so my next statement would disclaim "Do you understand that any information I acquire from this call will be used to improve my client's financial position in the sale?" At this point you have control of the conversation and you can steer it in any direction you want.

Sep 03, 2007 06:32 AM

Debi Wright

nwRealty.com - Seattle, WA

It can get touchy when I answer their call and they insist on information even after telling them I'm not licensed and they don't want to leave a message.

Sep 04, 2007 08:27 AM