Back to Blog Posts | Previous Post | Next Post

I'm Sorry, You're a Waste of My Time

Posted By Paula Henry on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 4:59:00 PM | 10 Comments

A Rant! This week I am in Arizona while we have new carpet and tile installed in preparation for listing our home next week. Another goal was to get estimates for moving when we do sell.

I called a couple of different companies we have used before, Mayflower and United Van Lines to set appointments.

While speaking to them, they understood we would be listing our home next week. I had one appointment set for today and one for tomorrow.

Rose Mary, from United Van Lines came by today. She was professional, efficient, very pleasant and fun. Since we are paying our own move, she was very helpful with suggestions about ways to save money on the move. Did you know it’s more than $20.00 if they pack your mirrors for you? I love her North Carolina accent, too.

Tonight, I receive a call from the sales agent for Mayflower to confirm our appointment. When he found out I did not know the exact date we would be moving and that my home was not on the market yet, he said he would have to advise me he would not be showing up tomorrow for our appointment. It was a waste of his time. His words! He informed me, since the real estate market in Phoenix is soooooo bad and unless I planned on giving my home away, he doesn’t want to waste gas coming out here.

It would be different if my home had already been on the market for 3–4 weeks, he said. Oh really!! How does that change the fact your quote is only good for 60 days? If I give it away, I could be moving next month. If it’s overpriced, I could be here for another year. Thank you for your opinion of the Phoenix real estate market.

I do understand the cost of gas and it’s about 35–40 cents more per gallon in Indianapolis right now. However, it does not keep me from doing business. I’m sure I wouldn’t have to worry about business or the cost of gas if I told potential clients they are a waste of my time and gas. I’m sorry Mr. Seller, why don’t you call me back when you are ready to sign a contract. Until then, don’t bother. And, Ms. Buyer, can you just choose a home from the internet. After all, you can have an inspection and you’ll see the home then. We can get it all done in one trip. Yeah, I can see that working already. Rant Over!

BTW – My clients are NEVER a waste of my time.

*UPDATE* the powers that be at Mayflower have a different opinion of client care. They called me before 8:00 a.m. PST to apologize for their sales agent's lack of customer service.

To Remodel or Not

The Realtor Is The Seller

Discussion

#1 Posted by Paula at 5/22/2008 5:07 PM

Susan - Agreed! They have actually moved us twice. The price of gas is the cost of doing business.

Jay - Yep! He blew it! You're welcome!

Susan - Apparently he knows the market here in Phoenix. I'll send him your way:)

The post has been updated. Mayflower corporate called me this morning. The power of Google Alerts!

#2 Posted by Ricardo Bueno at 5/23/2008 3:11 PM

*double sigh*

"You're a waste of my time..." To say that is ...it's...well it's just plain wrong! If that's how you feel, just go home. You're not helping my business, you're hurting it. You're hurting yourself and the customer.

People call me asking to run payments for them. It doesn't mean I'll get a loan from them, but it's also certainly not a waste of my time.

#3 Posted by Susan Gruenling at 5/22/2008 1:03 PM

Interesting, he said it would be different if your house had already been on the market for 3-4 weeks. Is he familiar with your comps? Perhaps I should request his assistance at my next listing presentation.

To say that it was a waste of his time to meet with you was extremely poor customer service. He certainly could have handled the situation differently. Jay, I too live in the Valley. So you see how quickly news travels.

#4 Posted by Paula at 5/24/2008 0:33 PM

Ricardo - Wrong indeed! Like you, I don't get the client everytime I go out, still, it doesn't keep me from going out.

#5 Posted by Lynda Eisenmann at 5/24/2008 7:48 PM

Hey Paula,

Too funny, do you think he ever got it? Did he realize what he was saying and understand that he's probably not the only mover in Phoenix?

I was at the Bloodhound event and I saw your name on a name badge. I was hoping to see you there.

#6 Posted by Paula at 5/25/2008 1:56 PM

Hi Linda - So good to see you here!
I'm not sure what he thought, except he wasn't spending gas money to come out here.
I was supposed to go to Bloodhound. I scheduled it while I was here in Phoenix. Unfortunately, we were also having the flooring replaced and the days and times did not coincide. I have asked Greg to send me the DVD's. I am sure I missed a great time.

#7 Posted by Michael Bergin - Your Realtor in Alexandria, VA at 5/25/2008 3:11 PM

Paula,

Thanks for a great rant and a great reminder that what we say and do always has repercussions - and that you never know who is listening!

Michael

#8 Posted by Paula at 5/26/2008 7:19 PM

Michael - How True! Thanks for the visit!

#9 Posted by Susan Hilton - Texas Aggie Realtor in College Station Home Sales at 5/21/2008 5:46 PM

Clients aren't a waste of my time either! Think about what he lost for a small gas price increase. How many miles could he have had to drive... 30 at the most? 30 miles with an increased gas price of about 50 cents.... So was losing a client (and ALL THE REFERRALS FOR LIFE) really worth the SMALL increase the gas costs? I think not!

#10 Posted by Jay Thompson at 5/21/2008 7:55 PM

*sigh*

How utterly ridiculous on Mayflower's part.

So they lost you as a client. Plus as Susan mentioned, people you would refer. AND, I live in Phoenix. You think I'm going to refer them to anyone? Hmmm, methinks I'll be adding Rose Mary from United to my "vendor list" and making sure Mayflower isn't on it.

Smart move Mr. Mayflower!

(PS: Thanks for the link!)