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Cash, Coffee & Chocolate... A Totally Cool Thing!

By Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Grants Pass, OR 199909023

January 27, 2012 06:58 AM

Cash, Coffee & Chocolate... A Totally Cool Thing! This morning I received a special delivery from one of our local Title Companies. Each time we have a closing, the title company hand delivers our check along with one (and sometimes two) of our favorite chocolate candy bars. It's a special touch that many agents in town look forward to.

I was thinking about the 'extra mile' service they give and how special it makes us feel. It starts from the moment we get into contract, the title company opens escrow and sends us a coupon for a free cup of coffee at one of our local coffee houses in Grants Pass called Dutch Bros. Another special touch!

It occurred to me that this type of service might be unique to our area and not typical in other areas throughout the country. Perhaps it's because we live in a small town where people treasure people, and random acts of kindness are more of the norm and not so random. This Chocolatier appreciates the cash, coffee & chocolate!

Cash, Coffee & Chocolate... A totally cool thing!

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Bud & Beth McKinney

RE/MAX UNITED - Cary, NC

Cary/Raleigh/Apex NC - The Team That Cares, RE/MAX United

I do that to the other agents when they bring me a contract from one of my listings. It feels good to be noticed, doesn't it. Thanks for sharing.

Jan 27, 2012 07:13 AM

David Popoff

DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT

Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

What a great idea, saying thank you and supporting a local business at the same time. As a house warming gift I give gift certificates from locally family own restaurants and business's.

Jan 27, 2012 07:13 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Mel,

Great gift, and we know you deserve it. It is always fun to support the local businesses and promote them. A

Jan 27, 2012 07:23 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Me too Richie... just give me the chocolate... now!

Come on Lori... you can afford a little yummy every now and then!

It's pretty cool Collette!

It tastes good too Bud & Beth!

Everyone loves to feel appreciated David!

It's a great way to support local businesses Alexandra!

Jan 27, 2012 07:25 AM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Mel-I do like the cash and chocolate part. The coffee I will let you enjoy. That is a wonderful way to build customer satisfaction. Love the pic of you.

Jan 27, 2012 07:41 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I can do without the coffee but the cash and chocolate sound good.

Jan 27, 2012 07:42 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Who doesn't like a little show of gratitude? Great idea.

Jan 27, 2012 08:14 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

My three favorite 'C' words Sharon... love them all!

Ditto Tammie... but I gotta have my mocha fix ;-)

It's a nice way to say thank-you... John!

Jan 27, 2012 08:25 AM

Brian L. Sirota, Esq.

Bristar Realty (Realtor/Attorney) - Orange, CA

For Solutions: (714) 501-7660

Mel, it's a little messier to hide in the mattress, but chocolate cash is good, too.....especially with peanut butter shekels. Brian

Jan 27, 2012 09:47 AM

Dr. Paula McDonald

Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX

Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Throw in the wine and we have a major winning combo! Love it.

Jan 27, 2012 10:30 AM

Rich Cederberg

eXp Realty - Albuquerque, NM

eXp Realty Agent Albuquerque

I think we could all use a little more cash, coffee and chocolate in our lives. Not to metion a few more random acts of kindness that are less than random. Thanks for sharing Mel. Great picture by the way.

Jan 27, 2012 11:12 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

A Shekel for your thoughts... Brian!

Wine-thirty is just around the corner Paula ;-)

Less than random acts of kindness are in order Rich!

Jan 27, 2012 11:17 AM

Andrea Bedard

Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD

Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Hi Mel, the 3 Magic C's! What a lovely touch! I did it the other way around and gave one of my favorite closers a box of German chocolates before Christmas! But they never disappoint and I do get a handy desktop calendar every year ... and free advice when needed (that's priceless). Enjoy the 3 C's!

Jan 27, 2012 12:59 PM

Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers

RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON

Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Three of my favourite things Mel! Great ideas and smart title company !!

Jan 27, 2012 01:29 PM

Florida Tolbert Team Keller Williams Advantage

Keller Williams Advantage III Realty in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL

Keller Williams Land Luxury Division Specialist

My title company is even more special than yours. She BAKES us fresh cookies and brings them around with each piece of business.

Jan 27, 2012 03:32 PM

Jeff Markell

Empire Home Loans Inc. - Tustin, CA

Sr. Mortgage Consultant - Forward & Reverse

Lucky you Mel! In California the Title companies are forbidden from giving us anything. They can't even give you lint out of their pants pocket as it is against the law. An independent Esrow, Home Warranty or Geo Hazard company can still provide nice treats. Thankfully we still have a way to get some rewards.

Jan 27, 2012 03:59 PM

Curtis Van Carter

Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA

Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Mel

As Jeffery stated above, about five years ago the Feds had a big RESPA crackdown here and the title companies stopped totally giving anything to agents. I don't know if the State piled on but now the title companies and others always say that can't give us anything due to this.

The conspiracy theory bad guy inside me thinks this may be true but will not accept the extent they say it is especially after reading your post and some of the comments here about other how it is still done in other areas. I guess I could consider moving to Oregon and sale real estate there!!!! cheers cvc

Jan 28, 2012 05:54 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

I love the 3 Magic 'C's Andrea... and the desktop calendar too!

Mine too, Al & Peggy!

Sounds absolutely scrumptious Kevin! We bake cookies in my office all the time as we have a full kitchen :)

Same is true here Jeffrey, but there must be a fine line in paying for 'the business' and giving away a few cups of coffee and candy bars. In any case... I hope the practice doesn't stop here... or this Chocolatier will be very disappointed ;-)

Curtis ~ I think the intent of RESPA and the actual practice of giving candy bars to agents could coexist under one roof... perhaps they (title companies) should offer the consumer some candy bars too ;-)

Jan 28, 2012 07:14 AM

Curtis Van Carter

Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA

Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Mel

Maybe you can save me a bite. I think being able to give something small but thoughtful is always appreciated and just makes one feel good. cheers cvc

Jan 29, 2012 04:52 AM

Charles Stallions

Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL

850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

You pay me the kind of money we pay them and I will give you chocolates to LOL.

Jan 30, 2012 01:20 PM