Admin

Then Why Ask?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Ward County Notary Services 607851

We have all had frustrating experiences concerning our automobiles (I will get to Real Estate). Last week I called our local Big O Tires to get several things looked over. I called Big O because I know the owner and the service had been sterling, I even wrote a raving review last year. My appointment was a week away for today. I knew because of the length of the list they would need it all day.

When I got to Big O I greeted the owner and the man I spoke to as they came around the corner from the shop. My friend asked "What can I do for you today". I told him I had an appointment and he should have the list. Immediately he became combative towards me and then looked over to the other guy asking him if he had notes. That fellows response, "I don't even know who he is". My patience and countenance began falling. "Well tell me what we are fixing today". I told him it was a list of 5 or 6 things and it should be on the notes BECAUSE I dictated it to the other guy when I called in. My friend became very agitated and informed me the program they use only allows about 20 words so they could not have written it all down. HEY! They didn't write any of it down and how is that MY fault?

What a way to start the day.

This same scenario easily can be applied to Real Estate. Thanks to another profession I worked in I learned the value to take notes... detailed notes that may not even apply to the profession I was in. The clients I worked for were always amazed at what a great memory I had recalling our past visits years back. The truth is I have a very poor memory, so poor I forget to take my daily meds on a regular basis BUT I've got GREAT notes!

How embarrassing it would be to forget what a client wanted in a home? How embarrassing it would be to forget the names of their children they spent a half hour bragging about? I can not imagine asking for pertinent information and not making note of it only to be stumped and irritable about it towards the client. Gees'!

I've got more to this story but I don't want to run on to long so stay tuned for part two.

I will leave you with this thought, can you imagine going to a restaurant and about the time you thought your food would be on the table your server said "I thought I could remember your order but I forgot to write it down so what is it you ordered?". Don't be that server waiting on your RE clients!

 

Posted by

Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thanks for sharing, make it a great Friday and enjoy your

weekend!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Sep 13, 2024 12:03 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Thank you Bill Salvatore - East Valley , I hope you do as well.

Sep 13, 2024 12:08 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Bob,
Customer service is becoming more rare as time goes on. The work ethic is declining.

Sep 13, 2024 12:05 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Carol Williams I think it's circling the drain these days. Next Z will introduce self checkouts eliminating us.

Sep 13, 2024 12:09 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Bob "RealMan" Timm it is important to take as much notes as possible in any service and profession. Overall the costumer services declining.

Sep 13, 2024 02:18 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

It is indeed declining John Pusa . I have had several jobs that required good record keeping and it always served me well.

Sep 20, 2024 11:03 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

 

Oh, Bob "RealMan" Timm this touches a few nerves with me and causes a few triggers. I am a note taker beyond note taker.  In the legal arena, documenting is essential.  It never left me ... it is now in my DNA. However, my son apparently did not get that gene (LOl). 

I look forward to part two. 

Sep 13, 2024 04:18 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I hope to get part two out yet this afternoon Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist . If it were not for notes no one would trust my word.

Sep 20, 2024 11:01 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Bob- many things missing in their lack of customer service. They should have written it down..how else would they know how much time to allow for the work...and then not to admit their error in a cordial way. 

Sep 13, 2024 06:14 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Bingo! I need to get my part two of this story out there Kathy Streib 

Sep 20, 2024 10:59 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

OMG this post resonates with me on so many levels, and my take is Customer Service is getting worse and worse and all those who support AI will learn the hard way... just my two cents, Endre

Sep 13, 2024 10:28 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I agree Endre Barath, Jr. . Hands on service is always going to win over automated thankyous.

Sep 20, 2024 10:58 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Excellent advice, Bob. Increasingly, I refer to customer service as customer dis-service!

Sep 14, 2024 05:10 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I sure thought they did me and themselves a disservice Nina Hollander, Broker .

Sep 20, 2024 10:57 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I am looking forward to reading part two!

Sep 14, 2024 05:18 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Thanks for the reminder Kat Palmiotti . I will try to wrap this up yet today but time is quickly eroding my day.

Sep 20, 2024 10:56 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That friend doesn't seem like much of a friend if he is going to allow you to be treated like that, haha.

Sep 14, 2024 07:11 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

He/his business is off my list now Brian England . It was early in the morning but I guess he may have determined it was a bad day by something that happened earlier in the shop or at home. Still you don't take it out on the customer.

Sep 20, 2024 10:55 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Bob, this "welcome" would not have been the way I would want to start a day either.  Goodness, not very good customer service this time.

Sep 14, 2024 07:55 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Businesses that blame the customer for the businesses errors should be avoided at all costs Joan Cox . I will not be returning to Big-O.

Sep 20, 2024 10:53 AM
Joan Cox

I would not either, don't blame you!

Sep 20, 2024 11:17 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Customer Service is a dying art.  Those who still maintain it, will prevail above all others in their realm.

Sep 17, 2024 08:58 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I agree Myrl Jeffcoat , I have discontinued business with several companies due to lack of service.

Sep 20, 2024 10:51 AM
Adam Feinberg
Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

On the car side of the equation- I sold my car when I moved to the city 18+ years ago. I have 5 subway lines and plenty of bus lines within a few minutes of walking time. 

On the real estate side- I always relate our conversations to what the client is seeking and I will make it clear that I was paying attention. For example- I love this townhouse in general, however you told me you valued at least a half bath on each floor of the townhouse- and this one only has 1.5 baths over 5 floors and if it's still something you would consider, I would love to set up a showing.  This puts it in perspective- and lets them know that not only was I listening to them- but I am also trying to find listings that both fit what they want- but also not necessarily eliminating something that could be a good fit for the client if they are flexible. 

Sep 20, 2024 10:03 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Great job Adam Feinberg of listening and reacting properly.

Sep 20, 2024 10:50 AM