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Things Are Getting Curiouser and Curiouser And Make Me Go “Huh?”

By
Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

Things Are Getting Curiouser and Curiouser And Make Me Go “Huh?”

 

In the last week or two, I’ve received phone calls from people who say they want my business.

 

I’m typically not too receptive to such phone calls and will quickly end a phone call with send me an email -- it’s really the best way to keep in touch with me.   Quick, easy, no fuss, no muss.

 

Scenario One

 

A follow-up call of sorts from a lender who met me at an open house this year.  She told me was impressed with the number of signs and the available information I had for visitors.  We chatted briefly met briefly in my office.  We even discussed ActiveRain.   This was followed by no communication for a couple of weeks and then an email blast.   She called and noticed I had an upcoming open house and asked if she could drop off cookies or balloons.   I suggested she call at the end of week and we could coordinate.   No call, no visit and darn it -- no cookies and no balloons -not that it matters - much.

 

Scenario Two

 

A phone call from a service who places my open house signs on street corners, picks them up after the event is over and then store them when not in use.  I suggest, per usual, send me an email.  I receive a follow-up call(that’s good) but still waiting for the email.  Or a phone call.  How much?  Just tell me how much.

 

Scenario Three

 

While driving, I pull over and answer the phone.   My photo and contact information on shopping carts.  Ahh, yes.  I have done this one.  Biggest waste of money (for me) that I’ve ever spent in my career.  But we have a better plan, he says.   Call me later when I’m not driving or send me an email -- nada, zilch, nothing.   

 

Why take the effort to contact me if you don’t  follow up?   

 

So with apologies to Lewis Carroll -- this thing we call life - it’s a mad tea party, isn’t it?



Things Are Getting Curiouser and Curiouser And Make Me Go “Huh?”



Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Comments (52)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Maureen - very true.  Ideas are great but execution of those ideas is imperative.

Apr 13, 2014 02:03 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

I'm the person who hangs up on sales calls and then puts their phone number on the "direct to voice mail" list. ;-)

Apr 13, 2014 02:11 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

you pulled over to take a call??  I'm impressed.

Apr 13, 2014 02:38 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Ahh, these all showed you the answer to the questions the callers raised (either overtly or hinted at)... 

The lender wanted your clients business...  but she never followed through -- you certainly wouldn't want a lender helping your clients who didn't follow through on their commitments!  So ixnay on the lender.  

The service who places signs...  no follow-through.  Your signs wouldn't be delivered on time or removed on time...  Ixnay on the sign service.  

The shopping guy story---  ixnay on his better idea.

Things sure do get strange!

Apr 13, 2014 02:40 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Michael- there is often no rhyme or reason for the whys, just that it is. 

Apr 13, 2014 03:01 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Chris - I doubt you are alone in doing that.

Alan - those threats of hefty fines in California are definitely a deterrent.

Kat - your comment is definitely not an IXNAY - thanks for your thoughts.

Apr 13, 2014 03:15 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Kathy - one of my favorite sayings is it is, what it is.

Apr 13, 2014 03:19 AM
David Grbich
Realty One Group - www.FindCARealEstate.com - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Orange County Real Estate - 949-500-0484

Hi Michael - I have been away for awhile but this one is a great one - I get called all day long and will now just say "send me an email" - love it. Regards Dave

Apr 13, 2014 04:21 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hi, Michael!  Just wanted to let you know that I included this post in today's Last Week's Favorites. 

Apr 13, 2014 04:27 AM
Marc McMaster
RE/MAX Centre Realty - State College, PA
Putting my clients before myself

I think sometimes real estate agents are the same way.  Get the listing and then never call their clients again. 

Apr 13, 2014 04:33 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Dave - nice to "see" you again - hope all is well in South Orange County.

Pat - thank you very much for including me in your weekly post -- it's always a must read for me and I know it is one of the most consistently popular posts on AR.

Marc - and that's never a good idea either.   

Apr 13, 2014 04:35 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Michael, I tend to agree with you.  Why call and start a relationship then not take it any further?  Doesn't make sense and you just wasted your time and mine.

Apr 13, 2014 07:28 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Hi Michael, I think some vendors take it as a rejection when you ask them to email you or as best as an excuse not having to talk to them. 

Apr 13, 2014 09:56 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Michael, that's the difference between a successful business person and them! Follow Up! (And I need to fine tune that, too!)

Apr 13, 2014 12:42 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

A beautiful homage to Alice in Wonderland indeed!

 

Curiouser and curiouser,

Laura

Apr 13, 2014 01:47 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Evelyn - it does seem like a waste of time for everyone involved.

Silvia - I can understand that...but if they are given the opportunity to email, why not take it?

Praful - you're correct, follow-through is so important.

Laura - thanks - glad you liked it.

 

 

Apr 13, 2014 02:37 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I've had the exact same happen to me! It's amazing how often this happens and you're right to ask why bother in the first place if you don't follow up?

Apr 13, 2014 09:53 PM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I like the way you handle it. You weed out the unprofessional right from the start.

 

Apr 13, 2014 11:11 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Nina - yet it continues to happen -- what's up with that?

Jill - I actually did receive an email from the sign service after this post was published -- price list, terms of service --- you know what -- I kept it for reference.

Apr 14, 2014 12:03 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Wow, Michael am I feeling convicted. When visitors sign-up on my website, they get an email blast that I will be calling soon. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. Based upon this post, I really need to be more dedicated to picking up that phone.

Apr 14, 2014 02:25 AM