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I'm sorry but I can't do that for you! This is a rant.

Real Estate Agent 0225218019

September 23, 2014 10:59 PM

The lady on the phone asked if I could break down the boxes for her. I replied, "I'm sorry but I can't do that for you!" This is a rant.

After I moved back to Fernandina Beach, Florida in 2012 I had lots of moving boxes filled with bubble wrap and packing paper boxes. Since I had hired a moving company the boxes were in great shape. I placed an ad online for free moving boxes filled with packing supplies. I was happy to donate them since I don't have enough space to store them in my house. A lady called and asked if I would break down the boxes since she didn't have a truck and would need to pick them up in her car. At that moment I realized that some people wouldn't know a good deal if it walked up and slapped them in the face. I didn't want to be rude, so I stayed true to the the "manners" my mother taught me. I politely replied, "I'm sorry but I can't do that for you!"

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Sheila Anderson

Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ

The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sybil. I think you handled it well. There is no reason to lose it over something so small.

Sep 23, 2014 11:06 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Sally K. & David L. Hanson

EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI

WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

For some people...FREE is too high a price

Sep 23, 2014 11:18 PM

John F Muscarella

RIVER FARM PROPERTIES, LLC - Venice, FL

Broker/Owner, Venice, FL, Florida's Suncoast

It's so true about recognizing a good deal. I never cease to be amazed at how dense some people can be.

Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI

HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA

Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

So,,,,Sybil, did she still come and take the boxes, or was she really that stupid? It always amazes me the way the human mind thinks at times. Have a great day!

Sep 23, 2014 11:54 PM

Sybil Campbell

Fernandina Beach, FL

Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Sheila, thank you for saying that, sometimes I don't think quickly enough to say the right thing and do it tactfully.

Sally & David, an agent in our office says that "No good deed goes unrewarded" with tongue in cheek.

John I agree, they are dense and then expect us to do more for them when we are already offering something of value for free!

Sep 23, 2014 11:57 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

That was a very good response. You never know what to expect next from callers.

Sep 23, 2014 11:58 PM

Dana Hollish Hill

Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD

REALTOR * Broker * Coach

I think that was just the right answer.

Sep 24, 2014 12:17 AM

Suzanne Otto

Six Twenty Designs - Lansdale, PA

Your Montgomery County PA home stager

God forbid she put a little work into getting some things for free.

Sep 24, 2014 12:41 AM

Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker

RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA

RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

Give some an inch and they will take a mile. At least you knew your worth in that situation!

Sep 24, 2014 12:58 AM

Roy, I know, some people have a lot of nerve.

Dana, thanks.

Suzanne Otto, I know and what was I supposed to do with all of the packing materials?

Shannon, She didn't come get the boxes, I think she also needed to wait several days, a very grateful young man with a young child picked them up in a truck.

Sep 24, 2014 01:31 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

People are pretty bold sometimes. It would never enter my mind to make such a request!

Sep 24, 2014 03:10 AM

Sybil Campbell

Fernandina Beach, FL

Sharon, I know but obviously everyone doesn't think like we do.

Sep 24, 2014 03:19 AM

Sharon Tara

Portsmouth, NH

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Sounds more like being lazy and cheap.

didn't want to pay for the gas to get them.

Sep 24, 2014 03:57 AM

Williams, I know and what was I supposed to do with all the packing paper and bubble wrap that was inside the boxes?

Sep 24, 2014 04:07 AM

Whitney Watson

First Heritage Mortgage - Henrico, VA

Sybil, That was a great response you gave her. You're definitely right about someone not recognizing a great deal!

Sep 24, 2014 06:49 AM

Whitney, Some people always want more no matter what you do for them.

Sep 24, 2014 11:19 AM

Than Maynard

Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK

Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

Current society...once you do one thing for them they expect more and more.

No good deed goes unpunished is what I have always heard.

Sep 25, 2014 01:20 AM

Than, that's exactly what I've heard too. Of course, I didn't do that for her. A young man came and picked the up and was thrilled to get them.

Sep 25, 2014 07:03 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Sybil, I understand what everyone is saying, but I guess I'll play devil's advocate and take another point of view; maybe she had no other way to get the box's full of packing material home with her? Leasing a van or truck may have well been more expensive than the value of the box's.

Sep 26, 2014 01:46 PM

I'm sorry but I can't do that for you! This is a rant.

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