They wouldn't stop, demanding more. They seemed to think that I had more to give. Retrospectively, it was clear they had done this to many others.
Maybe they were desperate, maybe they were afraid, maybe they were just bored.
It started normal enough. A great discussion on the phone, a planned meeting to discuss moving the deal forward. I thought they were real customers. They seemed interested enough and said many of the "right" things.
We met and talked. They seemed professional and sincere. But as the discussion moved forward, it eventually became apparent this was not what it appeared... at least not what I had presumed.
In the end, they robbed me of my time. They questioned my experience. They distrusted my advice. They beat up my suggestions. And worst of all, it became clear they had no intention of being a customer of mine... or anyone. Then they fled. Thankfully!
Now I am left to reflect and hopefully learn. The challenge for me is to learn without creating stereotypes or false absolutes for future prospects.
The next client may look and act the same... and be for real. I shall hope to not make a false assumption based on the past. For there are deals to be made, clients to help and money to be made.
Glenn, some customers are not meant to be and you, equally as them can do the rejection.
Great analogy. I have had these same clients. Where do they come from? Some of them listen to late night television or CNN advice...no real world experience. Thank god, they go on to visit other nightmares.
Hopefully your robbers only stayed an hour or four. How about the ones that lead you on for weeks?
I think Gary said it best. It is part of dealing with people. I think the public thinks they have to watch out for us as an industry.
funny story and great analogy!
Showed yesterday to relo prospects. Showed them a unique neighborhood in McKinney that really seemed to meet their needs. Was very encouraged. They were a personal referral from a client of mine who was a buyer and who will be this person's boss at his new job. It did not occur to me to ask if he was working with an agent. I mentioned in passing to a group in the office that I had had a good day and why. The relo was coming from a specific East Coast city. This morning an agent came to me to inform me that she had worked with the same person last week without his wife. This week he had his wife here for a look. She did not blame me, but we both marveled that he would be so inconsiderate of our time. I am a little concerned about his loyalty to me.
Old friends are the worst. I have a friend whom I showed an absolutely beautiful home that was priced around $40,000 under market value and told her that she needed to act on that home right away because it would sell fast. She retorted that, 'I didn't know what I was talking about and if it is the perfect house for them, it would still be there.' I'm sure you can guess the ending of this story! Here's to five wonderful clients for every robber!
I see you are from Birmingham. Do you know Meredith Logan, Attorney at Law? I work with her as my closing attorney and she had mentioned that she has closed some for RealSource. I would love to meet you sometime!
Glenn- I think you're right. It's hard not to become bitter because of experiences like this but you're right that you can never predict how the next clients will be. Good post!
NEXT, thats what we need to say when we encounter people like that. Let's learn from it and move on. You can never really predict what the customers are going to say or do no matter what questions we ask ahead of time.
Gary Woltal - REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty) Hi Gary, it is SO important to make sure the qualification between client and vendor is mutual! Great point! G
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates - Hi Don, the world is indeed filled with so many that only repeat what they have heard and don't really process much of it. Part of the process though. G
Tim Bradley, CCIM Jackson Wyoming Commercial Real Estate (Contour Investment Properties) Tim, yes, there are the occasional "never ending" folks. Of course, I do know there are folks that may have started serious and had something change their plans. We know that this happens. Shoot, I've had my situation change during an evaluation process for something I was going to buy. All types! G
Roy Brumley (Exit Realty Crutcher) Thanks Roy! Glad you enjoyed! G
Ted Jernigan (Ebby Halliday Real Estate) Ted, I don't even know if some people are inconsiderate as much as things are outside their awareness. I mean, some people are inconsiderate. Others I think are just not very "tuned in" to cause and effect of their actions. G
Bekah Casaday (ERA Oxford Realty) Hi Bekah! Great to hear from you! I'm going to try and catch up with you later this week, by email or phone. You may recall us from the BAR Affiliate Expo too. (www.YourRealSource.com). Talk soon! G
Ilyce Glink (Think Glink Publishing) I don't become bitter about any of it. It is not personal. Even if it were personal by someone else, it is only personal to me if I choose to accept it as such. I realize it is just business and to work to see if I can view it as balance as possible. But you are right, many people will take it personal and then make it personal when the next client comes along (unfortunately). Thanks! G
Bill Farragher (Exit First Choice Realty) Hi Bill, great point! Keep moving, keep positive, learn appropriately! Thanks! G