Special offer

What part of silence your cell phones did you not understand?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Tampa Properties

You know who they are, you see them everywhere.  At the movies, a concert or the theater, in a class or seminar in any field, not just Real Estate.  The announcement prior to the performance or class is made and most in attendance check to insure their phone is silenced or at least on vibrate (unfortunately, vibrate still disturbs some of the attendees in close proximity to the offender).

Then, part way into the performance RRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGG, and a slightly embarrassed (or attention getter) struggles to silence their device.  Duh, why didn't you do this earlier when asked and reminded to perform this task.  Oh, yeah, that's right, you are more important than the rest of us!  Maybe you are, maybe you aren't!

Occasionally, they hustle out of the room to complete the "greatest transaction ever", maybe they are just embarrassed and sit there trying to act like "No big deal"! 

 

No Cell Phone

 

In over eight years of working in Real Estate, I do not believe I have ever waited on or received a call with information that could not wait an hour or so until the end of the performance, class or at least the next break.  That's why our devices are equipped with voice mail.  Maybe you have bigger deals than me, or maybe your business runs you and not you running your business!

But, really, it's just common courtesy and I think less of you if you cannot show me the same respect.  I didn't attend the event to be inconvenienced by you.

Posted by

Real Estate Vet - Curing Tampa Bay's Mortgage Meltdown One Home At A Time.  Will your Home Be next?

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Steven, Good reminder for everyone. Mine phone is on vibrate...always..so no reason to turn it off. I know when it "rings" and I have a choice of when to answer. No one else needs to know.

Margaret

Nov 25, 2012 12:12 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Three words: I know, right? :)

 

Love and light,

Laura

Nov 25, 2012 12:21 PM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

It is pretty bad these days - thanks for the funny post reminding me how ridiculous our phones can be.  Have a great week!

Nov 25, 2012 12:22 PM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

The problem with this is, i think some agents decide they are in a no cell phone zone 24/7. To me that is just as annoying when you know 100% of the agents have a cell phone, and 99% sync their emails to them. 

Nov 25, 2012 12:26 PM
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

More annoying when you call no matter what time and there is no response or return call for days.

Nov 25, 2012 01:06 PM
Nakia Brooks
BKG - Brokerage Atlanta - Braselton, GA
#wearedifferent

I couldn't agree more - What kills me is like you said, they are answering for the "greatest transaction ever" and when you are in class, it's usually the no income producing agents phones that are ringing!!!

You would think they would want to learn from top producers, instead, they were answering their manager at Wal-Mart, the door greeter called in this morning and they need them to come in an hour early.

Don't get me wrong, I am not banging on part-time agents, however, in this market, if you are willing to work, the business is there for you to be a full-time agent.

'nuff said!!!

TURN YOUR PHONES OFF!!!!

Nov 25, 2012 01:32 PM
Christopher Campa
LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE - Gainesville, VA
Northern VA Realtor

Having your cell phone turned off or, at least, on vibrate is a requirement of almost every hourly/salary job.  But in the independent contractor world of real estate, ringing phones and texting are a part of every meeting, training, etc.  Cell phone etiquette is definitely something we all need to be reminded of, often.  I admit that I violate this etiquette from time to time. 

If you follow the work ethic of, "Be Here Now," you must give highly focused attention to the task at hand.  If you are at the mercy of your cell phone (including email), then you are not working in a highly focused manner and therefore not being efficient and wasting your own time.   

Don't waste your own time...Turn off your cell phone when necessary.

Nov 26, 2012 01:00 AM