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You Would Think Sales People Would Learn!

By
Real Estate Agent with S & L Properties

This past week I was in Raleigh for a few days helping my sons get ready for Cameron Village's Holiday Kick Off Thursday night.  The event complete with Santa Claus (which is too early for my tastes) was held as a nighttime activity and the entire complex was jam packed!  Everyone worked late to be sure Tin Roof Teas was clean and ready to open Friday morning.  My oldest son put me to work labeling inventory while his dad assembled one of the cooling cases for their new shipment of exotic truffles.  I decided to stroll down to one of the upscale jewelry stores to view their Slane & Slane Collection.  I have a daughter-in-law who loves that particular designer.  Now, I admit I was in jeans, a Longboat Key sweatshirt, and no makeup but so what.  The clerks (jewelry consultants) informed me that they were getting ready for a trunk show that afternoon so if I needed to see a piece of jewelry, let them know.  They ignored me for the rest of the hour.  I had been in there before when I was dressed to impress so I know the difference.  They hovered to the point of annoyance.

I strolled back to our shop and I went back to work.  My husband asked me what I bought for her and gave me that "husband" look when I said that I didn't buy anything.  I made up my mind to buy from a local shop who treats me well no matter how I am dressed.  I bought some jewelery from him a few years ago.  I told him to hold the pieces until I could transfer the money to my checking account...he told me to take the pieces with me and call when I transferred the money.  Now, that is what I call service!

I hope as real estate agents we have learned that you can't judge based upon clothes and cars or even the house they currently live in.  One of the most difficult tenants I ever had (she let me know all the time that she was used to better conditions) came with status car, expensive clothes, very expensive furnishings and a credit report with a foreclosure and judgments.  I required double deposits.

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You Call It Paradise...I Call It Home...So Can You!

Comments(5)

Ernie Hernandez
RE/MAX - Cedar Park, TX
Central Texas Real Estate, NW Austin, Cedar Park

Never judge a book by its cover. I have been self employed since I was 20 and some of the richest people i knew didnt look it. Some of the greatest referals came from people i didnt judge regardless of their appearances, or color or sexual preference.  Because of that i did great in my bussiness.

However i am thankful for the ones that makes these mistakes because it means more bussines for us!

 

Nov 20, 2010 01:05 PM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Linda~  Most of my clients that have paid cash for their homes were not into status type things and drove older cars that were paid for and cared nothing about impressing others.  Those that had the nices cars and the nicest most expensive houses and toys did not have a penny in their pocket and were in debt up to their ears!

Nov 20, 2010 01:19 PM
Heather Russo
Keller Williams Realty - Kerrville - Kerrville, TX
SRES , REALTOR, Kerrville, Texas Homes for Sale

I was taught this in Real Estate school!!!

My teacher was one Broker in a town of only 3 Offices... She had about 15 acres for sale with office AAA. An out of town couple was interested in the ranch and went to the first company they saw, which happened to be ZZZ company. That broker, seeing that this couple was in ragged clothes, their hair was dirty and they smelled of fertilizer, told the couple that they needed to go to AAA and talk to them about the property "since it was AAA's listing."

The couple walked into AAA and proceeded to ask to sign an offer for the 15 acre ranch... Broker of AAA asked if they had a preapproval letter from the bank. The husband then pulled out the ENTIRE amount in cash and has since bought 3 other properties each at over 20 acres.

The couple ran a very successful cattle ranch and were butt loaded!!! NEVER, EVER, EVER judge someone by their looks, smell, or ability to speak proper English.

Nov 20, 2010 01:24 PM
David Beckham
Realty Executives Bayou Properties - Alexandria, LA
Your Louisiana Real Estate Connection

Linda that was an excellent blog to remind us to never judge a book by it's cover. I try to always practice that in my day to day real estate activities. Always treating people well will reward you several times over. I think you made a great decision to not purchase from the first store.

Nov 20, 2010 01:25 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

I feel your pain. Back in 1998 I was in the mood for a new sports car. I had saved up $50,000 to pay cash for whatever I wanted, and even though I had always despised BMW’s, I really thought that I wanted a BMW Z3. I walked into the BMW dealership wearing a tank top, shorts, and my beach sandals. After all, the dealership was just a few miles from one of San Diego’s best beaches. The sales staff wouldn’t even look at me, much less ask me if they could help me. After 15 minutes of being ignored, I went and bought a Pontiac Trans Am.

Nov 20, 2010 08:05 PM