Comments on: How To Lose A Sale http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/ A rich life without a lot of money Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:54:55 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: FrugalBabe http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27415 FrugalBabe Sun, 17 May 2009 21:45:58 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27415 Liz, We did tell him that we had made up our mind to sell and weren't particularly concerned with all the market details. At one point my husband specifically asked what the point of the meeting was, and said that we needed to get going on the details. But honestly, we probably would have looked past the long-winded spiel. What we were not willing to look past was the blatant political talk. He was at our house for business purposes, and made direct jabs at our political point of view (ie, blaming the mortgage mess on the Democrats) without knowing what our view was. We wouldn't have cared if he hadn't brought it up (it's not like we were interviewing realtors and asking them about their thoughts on politics). We're believe in live and let live, and would have had no problem using a realtor who had different views than us... assuming he didn't go on and on about them during our very first meeting. After that meeting, there was no way in the world we were going to give our business to that realtor. That said, we ended up with a MUCH better realtor and our house is under contract for full asking price after three days on the market. So even in hindsight, we made the right decision. Someone with the same views as the first realtor would probably have been thrilled to hear his spiel, and would have signed up with him right away. And that's fine. But anyone doing business and being very vocal about their political views in an initial meetings with clients is running a risk of alienating half the population right off the bat. It's not professional, no matter how you look at it. Liz,
We did tell him that we had made up our mind to sell and weren’t particularly concerned with all the market details. At one point my husband specifically asked what the point of the meeting was, and said that we needed to get going on the details.
But honestly, we probably would have looked past the long-winded spiel. What we were not willing to look past was the blatant political talk. He was at our house for business purposes, and made direct jabs at our political point of view (ie, blaming the mortgage mess on the Democrats) without knowing what our view was. We wouldn’t have cared if he hadn’t brought it up (it’s not like we were interviewing realtors and asking them about their thoughts on politics). We’re believe in live and let live, and would have had no problem using a realtor who had different views than us… assuming he didn’t go on and on about them during our very first meeting. After that meeting, there was no way in the world we were going to give our business to that realtor.
That said, we ended up with a MUCH better realtor and our house is under contract for full asking price after three days on the market. So even in hindsight, we made the right decision.
Someone with the same views as the first realtor would probably have been thrilled to hear his spiel, and would have signed up with him right away. And that’s fine. But anyone doing business and being very vocal about their political views in an initial meetings with clients is running a risk of alienating half the population right off the bat. It’s not professional, no matter how you look at it.

]]> By: Liz http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27414 Liz Sun, 17 May 2009 21:32:28 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27414 I guess I also think you were a bit hard on the first realtor. While he was giving you his spiel, you could have (at any time) told him that your time was limited and you'd appreciate him staying on topic? As in...what it is giong to take to sell the house. Political views aside, I didn't hear anything in your complaints that suggested he didn't take his business seriously. He just seemed to be rambling on things you cared nothing about. Which I understand - but you and your husband also had the power to cut him off and ask him what he could do for you. There is a reason he was realtor of the year for ReMax, and a reason for his other credentials. I guess I also think you were a bit hard on the first realtor. While he was giving you his spiel, you could have (at any time) told him that your time was limited and you’d appreciate him staying on topic? As in…what it is giong to take to sell the house. Political views aside, I didn’t hear anything in your complaints that suggested he didn’t take his business seriously. He just seemed to be rambling on things you cared nothing about. Which I understand – but you and your husband also had the power to cut him off and ask him what he could do for you. There is a reason he was realtor of the year for ReMax, and a reason for his other credentials.

]]> By: Peggy Gist http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27390 Peggy Gist Tue, 12 May 2009 13:29:50 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27390 I think she made the right choice. When I meet a potential client for the first time I have already had a conversation on the phone to gather information. My visit is to determine what the goals and motivation is, answer their questions about myself and/or company plus advise them on price. The marketing plan for their home is reviewed and discussed. Paperwork and photos are done if the lighting is right and we move forward. It is all about the homeowner during that visit. The market statistics are important and I ask if they are aware of the market conditions. Most have been keeping up with the market for sometime and the statistics are not surprising. They just want to know what their competition is going to be during the process. Staging....yes in some cases. I think she made the right choice.

When I meet a potential client for the first time I have already had a conversation on the phone to gather information. My visit is to determine what the goals and motivation is, answer their questions about myself and/or company plus advise them on price. The marketing plan for their home is reviewed and discussed. Paperwork and photos are done if the lighting is right and we move forward.

It is all about the homeowner during that visit. The market statistics are important and I ask if they are aware of the market conditions. Most have been keeping up with the market for sometime and the statistics are not surprising. They just want to know what their competition is going to be during the process.

Staging….yes in some cases.

]]> By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27383 FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com Sat, 09 May 2009 20:37:02 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27383 Alice, sounds like Frugal Babe hit a sore point with that remark. Whatever it is, that was totally harsh and uncalled for and just as Kelly said, he wasn't being professional. Even hairdressers know to keep their views and mouths shut when they have clients in their chair, giving them money. He was clearly wasting their time, their energy and conducting himself in a manner that was clearly not what Frugal Babe and her husband wanted. He can certainly act like that and it is within his right, but only with people he trusts or knows, like family members or friends... but new clients are tricky. You have to shut up and just do your job, and slowly warm up to them if you can. And I know what I'm talking about, I have to prospect for clients and work in different environments every single time I'm on a project. I would never do what he did on the first meeting with the client. All clients want, is for you to do your job with professional grace. All the rest is to be kept hush until you are sure they won't be offended or irritated by your yapping. Alice, sounds like Frugal Babe hit a sore point with that remark.

Whatever it is, that was totally harsh and uncalled for and just as Kelly said, he wasn’t being professional.

Even hairdressers know to keep their views and mouths shut when they have clients in their chair, giving them money.

He was clearly wasting their time, their energy and conducting himself in a manner that was clearly not what Frugal Babe and her husband wanted.

He can certainly act like that and it is within his right, but only with people he trusts or knows, like family members or friends… but new clients are tricky. You have to shut up and just do your job, and slowly warm up to them if you can.

And I know what I’m talking about, I have to prospect for clients and work in different environments every single time I’m on a project. I would never do what he did on the first meeting with the client.

All clients want, is for you to do your job with professional grace. All the rest is to be kept hush until you are sure they won’t be offended or irritated by your yapping.

]]> By: FrugalBabe http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27381 FrugalBabe Sat, 09 May 2009 06:50:15 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27381 Alice - I'm surprised by the venom in your comment. I thought I made it very clear in my post that our reason for choosing to not hire the first realtor was because of the unprofessional manner in which he conducted himself during our first meeting (and by the way, when an individual is interviewing/selecting realtors, doctors, housekeepers, lawyers, etc., one can choose not to hire the person for any reason at all, and the person in question does not have grounds for a lawsuit, regardless of why they think they didn't get hired. I am not a business). Over the seven years that my husband and I have been self employed in a sales profession, neither of us has ever brought up religion or politics with a client. That is just business 101. We're thrilled with our current realtor. She's already had a stager over to our house with tons of great ideas, and the professional photographer will be here next week. All for about $2000 less than we would have paid the first guy. I'd say that we made a good decision. Alice – I’m surprised by the venom in your comment. I thought I made it very clear in my post that our reason for choosing to not hire the first realtor was because of the unprofessional manner in which he conducted himself during our first meeting (and by the way, when an individual is interviewing/selecting realtors, doctors, housekeepers, lawyers, etc., one can choose not to hire the person for any reason at all, and the person in question does not have grounds for a lawsuit, regardless of why they think they didn’t get hired. I am not a business).

Over the seven years that my husband and I have been self employed in a sales profession, neither of us has ever brought up religion or politics with a client. That is just business 101.

We’re thrilled with our current realtor. She’s already had a stager over to our house with tons of great ideas, and the professional photographer will be here next week. All for about $2000 less than we would have paid the first guy. I’d say that we made a good decision.

]]> By: Kelly http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27380 Kelly Sat, 09 May 2009 04:07:38 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27380 Wow Alice! Harsh and uncalled for! I believe Frugal Babe wasn't judging the realtor on his political views, rather how he chose to conduct himself, which was in a manner she and many others found to be unprofessional. Religion, politics, these things don't belong in business. The best way to avoid offending someone who doesn't share your political (or religious, etc) views is to never bring them up in the first place. The realtor wasn't a friend over to have a lively discussion. He was there for the sole purpose of selling Frugal Babes house for the best price. His politics and other business ventures had no business in the conversation. Alice, you are entitled to your opinion, as is everyone, but when you state it is such a malicious manner, you make yourself appear very ignorant. Frugal Babe, I believe you were right in what you did and hope that your house sells quickly! Wow Alice! Harsh and uncalled for! I believe Frugal Babe wasn’t judging the realtor on his political views, rather how he chose to conduct himself, which was in a manner she and many others found to be unprofessional. Religion, politics, these things don’t belong in business. The best way to avoid offending someone who doesn’t share your political (or religious, etc) views is to never bring them up in the first place. The realtor wasn’t a friend over to have a lively discussion. He was there for the sole purpose of selling Frugal Babes house for the best price. His politics and other business ventures had no business in the conversation. Alice, you are entitled to your opinion, as is everyone, but when you state it is such a malicious manner, you make yourself appear very ignorant.

Frugal Babe, I believe you were right in what you did and hope that your house sells quickly!

]]> By: alice http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27379 alice Sat, 09 May 2009 03:29:08 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27379 you dumped the re agent because he was a conservative? what if he casually mentioned he ate meat? or was a vegetarian? would you still have dumped him? do you realize you are a bigot? be honest (or can liberals be honest?) as soon as the guy mentioned tea parties-you labeled the smuck and dumped him. had nothing to do with anything else. do you realize if the guy was black and you pulled this crap he could sue you? in fact, i pray he is reading this and does. i hope no good comes to you, i hope there is a hex on your house and it never, never sells. oh and if it does, make sure you ask the new owners if they attended tea parties (and spoke up about their likes and dislikes about america-you know, the land of the free and freedom of speech). tell me, if the prospective buyer plans on holding tea parties at the house, will you still sell it to them? probably yes. guess that means you're a republican or something, right? the fact that all you wanted to do was talk business with both the original re man and the new re woman makes you nothing more than a capitalist pig. you had absolutely no interest in the man's life. you just want your frigging house sold and you want as much money as you can possibly get for it. ruthless. you dumped the re agent because he was a conservative? what if he casually mentioned he ate meat? or was a vegetarian? would you still have dumped him?

do you realize you are a bigot?

be honest (or can liberals be honest?) as soon as the guy mentioned tea parties-you labeled the smuck and dumped him. had nothing to do with anything else. do you realize if the guy was black and you pulled this crap he could sue you? in fact, i pray he is reading this and does.

i hope no good comes to you, i hope there is a hex on your house and it never, never sells. oh and if it does, make sure you ask the new owners if they attended tea parties (and spoke up about their likes and dislikes about america-you know, the land of the free and freedom of speech).

tell me, if the prospective buyer plans on holding tea parties at the house, will you still sell it to them? probably yes. guess that means you’re a republican or something, right? the fact that all you wanted to do was talk business with both the original re man and the new re woman makes you nothing more than a capitalist pig. you had absolutely no interest in the man’s life. you just want your frigging house sold and you want as much money as you can possibly get for it. ruthless.

]]> By: Frugal Trenches http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27378 Frugal Trenches Thu, 07 May 2009 12:13:57 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27378 Well done you for sticking to your values, I would not want to use someone like that. Here we have such a different system (you can only view a house that is listed with the agency it is listed, there is no agent just an agency) but I remember when I lived in North American I use to think so many agents said far too much! You know at first I thought, he goes to tea parties, how English, we don't even do that. Then I remembered the Tea Party events I've been reading about and thought I'd of wanted him out my house ;0) Well done you for sticking to your values, I would not want to use someone like that. Here we have such a different system (you can only view a house that is listed with the agency it is listed, there is no agent just an agency) but I remember when I lived in North American I use to think so many agents said far too much!

You know at first I thought, he goes to tea parties, how English, we don’t even do that. Then I remembered the Tea Party events I’ve been reading about and thought I’d of wanted him out my house ;0)

]]> By: FrugalBabe http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27367 FrugalBabe Mon, 04 May 2009 20:54:29 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27367 Jay - you make a good point about the importance of pictures in listing a house. It always amazes me when I'm on real estate websites and come across listing with no pictures at all, or really really bad ones. There's an amazing house we've got our eye on, but the pictures look like the circus fun house scene you described: walls that seem to bow out, floors that curve up along the edges. How do they make they look so bad?! AD - you also make a very good point. The article you linked to in a recent comment about setting up a blog to advertise a house is a great idea, and ours is almost complete. We'll be including a link to it on the MLS listing for our house. I took all of the pictures myself, and they turned out great. I'm a scrapbooker, and photography has been a hobby of mine for several years. Digital cameras make it pretty easy (which is why I'm so amazed when I see dark, poorly-lit photos on listings). I think as long as a person has a halfway decent camera and a bit of artistic talent as far as setting up the scene and capturing the shot, they can get the job done. That said, I'm stoked that our Realtor is sending in a pro for our MLS shots! Jay – you make a good point about the importance of pictures in listing a house. It always amazes me when I’m on real estate websites and come across listing with no pictures at all, or really really bad ones. There’s an amazing house we’ve got our eye on, but the pictures look like the circus fun house scene you described: walls that seem to bow out, floors that curve up along the edges. How do they make they look so bad?!

AD – you also make a very good point. The article you linked to in a recent comment about setting up a blog to advertise a house is a great idea, and ours is almost complete. We’ll be including a link to it on the MLS listing for our house. I took all of the pictures myself, and they turned out great. I’m a scrapbooker, and photography has been a hobby of mine for several years. Digital cameras make it pretty easy (which is why I’m so amazed when I see dark, poorly-lit photos on listings). I think as long as a person has a halfway decent camera and a bit of artistic talent as far as setting up the scene and capturing the shot, they can get the job done. That said, I’m stoked that our Realtor is sending in a pro for our MLS shots!

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://frugalbabe.com/2009/05/01/how-to-lose-a-sale/comment-page-1/#comment-27366 Mrs. Micah Mon, 04 May 2009 16:01:36 +0000 http://frugalbabe.com/?p=912#comment-27366 Wow. Just wow. His initial excitement over another project might have been enough to make me not use him, but the whole package--*shudder* Besides the fact that I think the people who went to tea parties are--well, let's not get into that--but if he had that kind of indiscretion to bring up one of the big taboo subjects (at least until you know how the other person feels about it) I'd be very worried about using him to represent my house. Even if he gave my house his proper attention despite this new project, would he turn off new buyers by going off on political topics? I wouldn't even want a Realtor espousing <em>my</em> political point of view, because I'd be happy to sell to someone with different opinions. You definitely made the right call! Wow. Just wow. His initial excitement over another project might have been enough to make me not use him, but the whole package–*shudder* Besides the fact that I think the people who went to tea parties are–well, let’s not get into that–but if he had that kind of indiscretion to bring up one of the big taboo subjects (at least until you know how the other person feels about it) I’d be very worried about using him to represent my house.

Even if he gave my house his proper attention despite this new project, would he turn off new buyers by going off on political topics? I wouldn’t even want a Realtor espousing my political point of view, because I’d be happy to sell to someone with different opinions. You definitely made the right call!

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