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Lunch Lessons

By
Real Estate Agent

For some reason, it seems like more and more of my day to day experiences are providing me with blog Pizzatopics....as well as business lessons!  For example, the simple act of going out to lunch the other day inspired this blog...a lesson for sellers, agents, and Pizza Hut! 

It was a crazy day and we decided to slip into the Brunswick Pizza Hut to hit the buffet.  It seemed like a good decision at the time...fast...hot...and involving pizza. What could go wrong?

Well..it started with waiting 10 minutes to be seated.  There was no one in line in front of us...tons of empty tables...but no-one who worked there could find the time to seat us.  That should have been my first sign. We were finally seated, ordered our drinks, and headed to the buffet.  Only half of the buffet table was filled and the pizza that was there was cold and tired looking.  We selected a few pieces, headed back to our table, and just as we finished eating we received our drinks. To make a long story short, the food was cold, the service was terrible, and we left with a bad taste in our mouths.  Literally.

Needless to say I felt cheated.  There were a dozen restaurants I could have spent my money in. So my question is...during a tough economic time when people don't have  a lot of money to throw around, why isn't Pizza Hut doing everything it can to attract diners? They should have the biggest selection of the freshest, hottest, pizza around to lure people in.  Their service should be top notch!  Even if they're rolling in the dough...pardon the pun... they should be at the top of their game!  I know I won't be going back there.

 So Sellers..here's a lesson for you.  Like restaurants, there are quite a few homes on the market for buyers to choose from!  Talk with your agent and make sure you're both doing everything you can to make your home stand out among the sea of homes for sale! You can't put cold, tired pizza out on the buffet and expect buyers to come back and spend their money on it. Get rid of the clutter, clean the carpets, paint the laundry room, cut the grass, plant some flowers! In other words..put your best pizza on the buffet! If you don't, buyers will take their appetites and their money to the buffet around the corner.

And Agents, this should be the time when you provide better service than any other restaurant agency in the area!  Return calls promptly, answer your e-mails, communicate with your clients, be kind to agents who bring their buyers...do everything you can to prove that you've got the best service in town! Because like buffets and homes for sale, there are a lot of agents to choose from!

So there you go...two good lessons that emerged from a bad dining experience. I for one plan to revisit my business plan and my  listing buffet to ensure that I have the best service and the freshest, hottest listings around!

If you'd like to receive tips on preparing your home for sale, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to experience top-notch service from a Realtor, contact The Hershey Home Team!

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Comments(12)

Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

 

Barbara...

I always wonder the same thing ... when times you tough, you have to go the extra mile!

Featured in the Group "Square Pegs!"

Feb 25, 2009 10:49 AM
Terri Visser
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
CRS - 12 Years Selling Central Oregon Real Estate

What a great analogy!  And so true.  I showed a home today that we could barely walk through.  My clients have no idea if the house could be right for them or not.  Hot pizza would have been a huge improvement. lol

Feb 25, 2009 04:53 PM
Barbara Hershey
Bath, ME
Realtor, Maine Real Estate

Richard - I agree!  Why would you let your service and product quality slide at a time like this? This is the time to work harder than ever!  The experience made me revisit my plan to make sure I was not emulating Pizza Hut...so I guess something good did come out of the experience.  Thanks for stopping by!

Feb 26, 2009 12:27 AM
Barbara Hershey
Bath, ME
Realtor, Maine Real Estate

Terri - Thank you for your comment!  I've toured several homes like that myself.  It makes you wonder...what are they thinking?  Do they really want to sell?  Maybe we should send them a pizza..with this blog taped to it!  lol

Feb 26, 2009 12:45 AM
Jim Mushinsky
Centsable Inspection - Framingham, MA

Hi Barbara.  Great post.  The topic caught my eye during lunch (ok just a sandwich at my desk).  You are right on with issues and very well written.    I guess Pizza Hut may have a chance at getting you to come back by sending out some discount coupons.  It doesn't seem like a Realtor can make up for a bad experience that easily.

Feb 26, 2009 04:12 AM
Diane Daley
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Northumberland, NH

You did a good job on this post.  I think we can all relate, Pizza  would have been appreciated.. 

Feb 26, 2009 08:28 AM
Barbara Hershey
Bath, ME
Realtor, Maine Real Estate

Jim - Thank you for your kind words! I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're absolutely right....it's a lot harder for a Realtor to undo the damage.  If I'd have enjoyed Pizza Hut I might have told 1 person.  But since I didn't...I'm telling everyone! I think it works the same with buyers and sellers who've had a bad experience..and a coupon won't fix a reputation! A sandwich at my desk? Sounds perfect!

Feb 26, 2009 08:43 AM
Barbara Hershey
Bath, ME
Realtor, Maine Real Estate

Hi Diane!  Thank you!  Yes....pizza would have been great! Thank you for stopping by!

Feb 26, 2009 08:45 AM
TERRY DRISCOLL
MAINE HOME REALTY - Bath, ME
REALTOR - Buy or Sell in Any Season!

Hi Barb -

Customer service - go figure!  It is such an important part of the marketing mix.  Even if the food was good, how many times have you not gone back to a restaurant (bar, store, hair salon, doctor, etc.) because the service (or lack thereof) left a bad taste in your mouth?

Mar 09, 2009 06:36 AM
Barbara Hershey
Bath, ME
Realtor, Maine Real Estate

Terry:  I've not gone back too many times to count!  Service is everything!

Mar 11, 2009 06:39 AM
Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Barbara - Great post. I agree 100% if we could get this basic concept through to ALL of our sellers our job would be a bit easier.

Apr 11, 2009 01:16 PM
Barbara Hershey
Bath, ME
Realtor, Maine Real Estate

Hi Laura!  It's nice to hear from you!  I totally agree....I'm still trying to convince one of my sellers that cat poop should not be part of the decor!  lol  Thanks for stopping by! 

Apr 14, 2009 10:46 AM