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A New Jersey Realtor® is the owner of the very first Chevy Volt – Idiot or Genius?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024


OK, I know weird way to pose a question about buying a car that costs almost $50,000 that you have to still have to plug in. But, what I do like about the car is that it doesn’t look like an electric car! It looks like a luxury car that you wouldn’t actually being embarrassed to put your clients in.

But, here is my opinion on Jeff Kaffee on the New Jersey Realtor® that is the first to own the Chevy Volt. HE IS A GENIUS! I can tell you that though he may look like a guy who is all about the environment by buying it, he has now become the center of ever news channel at 6pm today.

Jeff Kaffee and the Chevy Volt

The headlines start “Realtor Jeff Kaffee from New Jersey is the first to own the new Chevy Volt, find out what he thinks of it at the bottom of the hour” Then at the bottom of the hour, they introduce him again. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX all running 5 minute free commercials for this agent at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and the 11pm new casts.

You can’t imagine how much that would cost if he were to pay for that advertising. Well, he did pay for it… About $50,000 with all the upgrades I’m guessing, but I’m pretty sure he will have that car paid for rather quickly from these 4 news channels talking about him today. But, for his $50,000 he gets a car that will hopefully last him years and some adverting to go with it. I’m sure if he was going to buy a nice car to drive clients around in anyway $50,000 is about what he would have paid anyway.

What do you think idiot for spending $50,000 on new unproven technology or genius for paying $50,000 for advertising on every network twice an hour?

Comments(61)

Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Todd...

At that price, I would like for someone else to field test the technology, but it sounds like he did gets his money's worth in marketing!

Jan 27, 2011 11:32 PM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

I think it's a toss up. I already forgot his name. I still remember the name of the car and how much it cost because I think the cost is ridiculous. I think you can go 30 miles on one charge. That is not good. I can easily do 30 miles in a few hours. This is what sticks out in my mind. Not the real estate agent who bought the car. But, you could never know.

Jan 28, 2011 12:28 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Todd -- We had a much publicized purchase here in CT. Hmm...I thought that buyer was the first buyer. At least that's how the newspaper portrayed it.  I only saw it in the paper; I'm sure it was on the news also.  But you know what?  I couldn't tell you who the new owner was!  Think it's more like a flash in the pan unless he can somehow keep it going on his own. 

Jan 28, 2011 01:02 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Todd, he probably didn't buy the car for the publicity, but it sure turned out to be a great marketing tool. The Volt wouldn't have much utility in my area. The distances involved in going places here would soon run out of juice.

Jan 28, 2011 01:06 AM
Bob Haywood
McGraw Realtors - Owasso, OK
BobHaywood.com

While there is no doubt he got a good bump in name recognition, I would doubt that it would translate into very many increased sales.  But you never know!  Hey!  I'd take the marketing and run with it!

Jan 28, 2011 01:26 AM
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

There is no indication that his motivation was publicity.  There is a huge waiting list at Chevy dealers across the country for these cars.  Whether they are practical for real estate sales purposes is inconsequential.  Anyone who is willing to make a huge financial sacrifice in an attempt to utilize alternative energy sources and help to reduce our dependence on imported petroleum products deserves accolades. 

We hope it turns into a marketing bonanza.

Jan 28, 2011 01:27 AM
Brent Wells
The LivingWell Team - Prosper, TX
Dallas - Fort Worth

Todd,

Well look how many of us are talking about it. Guess how many of the general public are aware of it. Sharp as a tack IMHO...

-Brent

Jan 28, 2011 02:04 AM
Bob Zorechak - ABR, GRI, e-PRO
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan - Morristown, NJ
Sells Homes in Morris/Somerset/Hunterdon Cos., NJ

Excellent post.  Very thought provoking.  It seems to be evenly split based on all of the comments so far.  I have to side with naysayers.  I live within 25 miles of this indidual and have been reading about him in the newspapers for quite some time.  I have not seen him on TV yet, but your post was the first time I have seen him referred to as a Realtor.  So for me, I have to agree with the comments above that said all they remembered was Chevy Volt and $50,000.

Jan 28, 2011 02:19 AM
Carey Valentine
Medallion Mortgage Company - Bountiful, UT

I know the next car I buy will be far more energy efficient and I would love it to be the Volt.  I'm a few more years out on a new car though. 

Jan 28, 2011 04:23 AM
Chris and Berna Sloan
Group 1 Real Estate - Tooele, UT
Tooele UT

Short term gain, long term loss....potentially. He needs to continue to build on the publicity or it's just his 15 minutes of fame. The car itself may or may not be pracical for business use. It wouldn't work where I live based on the range constraints. I hope he's not expecting a dollar for dollar return, and I too have concerns about the wisdom of being first on a new technology that has already experience teething pains for many years before it even hit the market. I hope he maximizes his "free" advertising!

Jan 28, 2011 04:52 AM
Bruce Brockmeier
Internet Marketing Consultant to REALTORS® - Yorba Linda, CA
Coached By Crouch

From my perspective, this one is simple.  Jeff Kaffee is obviously a marketing GENIUS. 

How do I know?  Todd Clark is blogging about him!!!  :)

Never forget the power of ActiveRain exposure.

Jan 28, 2011 07:08 AM
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

Jason's point is well taken- it is not about the who; it is about the what.

Jan 28, 2011 07:46 AM
Steven Graham
epropertysites - Mountlake Terrace, WA
Coach, ePs, Director of Training

That sounds like a great deal! Buy a volt,and get free publicity from Four local news networks.

Jan 28, 2011 01:14 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Todd,

Cheap advertising at twice the price! 

Mike in Tucson

Jan 28, 2011 02:43 PM
Sonsie Conroy
I serve buyers and sellers everywhere in San Luis Obispo County - San Luis Obispo, CA
Energetic, Enthusiastic, Knowledgeable Realtor

The vehicle starts at $32,780 (this fellow paid $42,000). It will go for 35 miles on just electricity, but 375 miles total range. In this day and age, $32,000 for a car is hardly a rich person's investment. I see an awful lot of Cadillac Escalades and Lincoln Navigators and such that cost twich as much and get less than half the mileage of the Volt.

But I probably am prejudiced. I've owned a Prius for about five years and love it. Love the 45+ mpg, love the styling, love the roomy interior, and so on.

Jan 28, 2011 03:11 PM
Billie Hillier
http://702IsHome.com - North Las Vegas, NV
Savvy Home Realty Solutions

I think it's a win - win. Brilliant on both parts. My son wants this car and I thought sure until I found out the price!

Jan 28, 2011 03:26 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

You know, Todd, the guy can probably use any publicity to his advantage when marketing himself. Does buying that car make him a genius or and idiot? No, but it makes him interesting for a day.

Jan 28, 2011 03:40 PM
eRealty Houston Real Estate
Buy, or Sell Homes in Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi, TX
Brokerage
My problem is chevy does not hold it's value very well 50k will be 30k in three years. Plus, where I live 50k could get you a nice fixer upper home. Ok maybe more like 65k but still. It's still 50k for 15 mins of fame.
Jan 28, 2011 05:14 PM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

I'm a little late to the party here...  But I agree!  Good for the environment and A Big Bonus to business! People only dream about getting that much free "positive" media attention.

Nicely Done!

Jan 30, 2011 04:53 AM
Patric Santo Pietro
RE/MAX First Realty - Metuchen, NJ

If he were smart he would set up a Chevy Volt page on his website and hopefully capture some of the web traffic related to the news of his purchase.

Jan 30, 2011 04:30 PM