Special offer

Too Busy For Your Call ?

By
Industry Observer
Too Busy For Your Call ???

Sometimes people tell me I am hard to reach.  "Your phone was busy so we called somebody else..."   I wilt when I hear this.  It hurts because I try SO HARD to answer EVERY CALL. 

And there is the rub.  I am SO AVAILABLE to each client who is buying or selling a house, or otherwise using my real estate services, that that I might not be available at the exact moment you call.  But that does not mean I am not available, it does not mean I am not interested, and it does not mean I am not capable of helping you PROMPTLY! 

Let me explain....

According to Verizon, I spend over 3000 minutes a month on the cell phone - every month!  That means I am always helping somebody.  I could be helping somebody else at the exact moment when you call.  It might be very rude of me to interrupt what might be an intense negotiation or their sharing of a desperate need, just so I can answer a simple question that could have waited.  Of course, I don't know what your question is when you call, or whether your question is trivial or more serious.  Most of my clients know that if they leave a message, I will call back PROMPTLY! 

Some people choose not to leave a message.  In fact, some simply call another Realtor.  Which is too bad.  I am one of the hardest working and most informed Realtors in our area, so what they usually get is lower quality service as a result of their impatience.  It is kind of like finding out that the best medical Doctor in town is busy.  So you call another, and another, until you get one who will talk to you.  You trust your life to the newest doctor in town, who may not actually have much experience in the medical procedure you need performed, but at least they are available at the drop of a hat to answer the phone!  Would you do that to yourself with your health?  NO?  Then PLEASE don't do that to yourself when it comes to Real Estate! 

Just LEAVE A MESSAGE and I WILL CALL YOU BACK!   I spend thousands of dollars per month to make my phone ring. You can bet I try to answer every call.  I usually return the call within a few minutes when a message is left. I answer EVERY CALL I POSSIBLY CAN that comes in during what I consider my "Business Hours" of between 9 AM and 7 PM.   You might agree that this is a pretty long day... But I actually start earlier OR work later on most days.  Such is the life of a Realtor.  

We serve a SACRED PUBLIC TRUST.  We help people with the largest financial and lifestyle decision they may have ever made.  We help with a house hunt or sale on the client's personal time, and then coordinate with appraisers, bankers, home inspectors, buyers, advertising media, buyers, and other agents during business hours too.  It's a heavy responsibility but it is also a great joy to serve in this way.  I don't complain but eagerly enjoy helping people with their own version of the American Dream! 

What would you think if your doctor were to take calls while doing surgery?  If you want to see your doctor, or ask a question, you might call the office and leave a message.  He or she will call you back.  You can do the same with me!   

So, if I am giving somebody else my full attention when you call - please leave a message.  On my honor, I WILL CALL YOU BACK!  And please know, I am NEVER too busy for your calls or referrals.  Send a friend to me for real estate services and I will treat them like family!

See http://www.dugansells.com/ for more information

Comments (3)

Leigh Brown
Leigh Brown & Associates, RE/MAX Executive - Charlotte, NC
CEO, Dream Maker - Charlotte, NC
excellent points!  i think that the hangups, or people who vanish because your phone was busy...is a reflection of the fact that so many agents don't return calls for 3,4 days (or never) and consumers keep going til they get a live voice.  another reason to hope that a downturn or flattening in the market does some weeding out!
Nov 19, 2006 10:48 AM
Deb Salkeld
Diversified Data Solutions, L.L.C. - Macomb, MI
Your Real Estate Virtual Assistant
Excellent points - I at least give the person the courtesy of 24 hours to return my call.  If no response after that, it's time to try someone else.  If you're on vacation, I might miss out, but often I don't have time to wait a week when looking for a professional, contractor, or whatever. I need to gather my options and act on them within a couple of days or I don't get anywhere! Sounds as if you don't wait more than 24 hours, so that's great.
Deb
Nov 19, 2006 11:02 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

My personal peave is the person that calls back repeatedly without leaving a message.  Meanwhile, I'm speaking with someone on my phone and only hearing every other word because of the repeated ringing.  I equate the chronic ringing to mom, mom, mom, mom, mom. 

I have actually removed call waiting from my land line.  When the line is busy it means I'm talking to someone else.

Nov 19, 2006 11:16 AM