Are Sales People Like Sharks Circling Prey?

Hi Ed, I think they certainly can be like sharks. But, these kind of people rarely get steady business. If people are too hungry, it is clear that they are in it for themselves instead of for the end consumer and I believe they become very transparent.

Ed, I like the concept of being a service provider. We really do, but I see a lot of sharks circling their prey in this business. 

Ed, I agree that there is a difference between sales people and service providers. I've always seen myself ... not as a sales person ... but as a consultant and service provider.  Clients are my treasure ... they are more than a paycheck. 

Congratulations on the Feature!

I think it is a shame that both in real estate sales and in lending even good salespeople occasionally act like sharks. Sometimes it's because other sharks are circling. in the end, relationships and being a counselor, not a salesperson, will always win out.

Oh yes, this is so true.  This is also why I prefer inbound marketing.  When the customer/client finds and wants you, you are in a much better position and the relationship is stronger.

Congratulations on a great post with an excellent analogy.  I truly think part of the approach of many agents is they see the buyer/seller as a paycheck.  If the house payment is due, they turn up the heat.  I have seen agents lie about a seller scenario to get a buyer to write a contract (seller lost his job and was transferred when that was NOT the case).  We need to keep our integrity and credibility.

Being hounded by a salesperson is never pleasant.  I do wonder if the high attrition rate in real estate is due to poor technique (such as you talked about) or because the market just can't sustain so many agents.  

Sad but true!!!

Pushy action can do just the opposite and push that potential client further away or even towards another agent.

I make it a point to no be that pushy salesperson as it s huge turnoff for me. I think some do this as it's what they think this business should be or they are living from paycheck to paycheck. Huge turnoff.

Boy, it just brings back bad experiences from being at a car dealer! They literally jump on people coming in.

Well said Ed...there seem to be many sharks in my Bay.

       You feel that way when you walk onto the lot of a car dealership, or step into a shoe store at the mall. 

      But in real estate, Buyers and Sellers should NOT feel like they are being circled by sharks!

Once, a few years back, my seller and I agreed to let her listing expire in order to complete a much needed repair.  The day after it expired, agents started blowing up her phone.  Now this client wasn't know for tact and diplomacy and those agents got quite an earful from her.  She asked each and every one of them what day they had shown her house during the 2 months it was listed.  Not one. 

It's definitely a fine line to show the client that a sales person wants their business and being just a paycheck.  Obviously, those whom treat the client as a paycheck, don't typically stay in business for long.

Unfortunately, RE sales people are just like sharks...they will say or do whatever they need to in order to snag the consumer.

Eve

There are those who think that high pressure sales is what it takes.

The consumers I work with would not agree. They have their pace and when they are ready they will look to the one who will provide personal service.

Our job is to be top of mind in a positive way so they remember to contact us when they are ready.

A very good point.  I've watched those car salesmen and their approach to people walking into the dealership.  It's a very competitive environment and can be intimidating to most people!  If we do our job right and are informative versus sales-minded, it's a win win for everybody. 

Most times than not agents who are desperate for business do that.  Those who have plenty business create their own demand and have a waiting list

Many sales people are most certainly like sharks, forcing the potential clients to swim away. 

I think we've all seen this type of behavior at the car dealership. You can't drive onto the lot without sales people chasing you down. I hope Realtors are not perceived that way.