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Does anyone understand what COURTESY means in courtesy call?

Sorry if I rant for a minute but I was just reamed by a client. It seems that the last few agents that have called to see his house have no-showed (you know, blown them off). Now, I understand that schedules can change, traffic jams can alter your plans but could you at least call the client and let them know you're running late or not coming at all?

Some agents forget that not all clients are out of their house all day. Some have young children or infants that they need to wake up, wrap up and get out of the house. Others are retired or have medical issues that make leaving home not their first choice. Now, I believe that if you're going to put your house on the market, you need to be prepared to deal with everything that goes with it.

My client summed it: You work with a great group of professionals (heavy sarcasm)!!! So, not only does forgetting COURTESY make that agent look bad, it makes us all look bad. You wouldn't no-show on your boss, or a friend or your mother. Let's try to all get along and put some courtesy back into our business.

What do you think?

Posted by Barry Wolfert on 09/02/2008 08:12 PM

Comments (11)

home sellers, listings, listing appointment, agents

This post has been included in Georgia Information Cobb County, GA Information

11 Comments on Does anyone understand what COURTESY means in courtesy call?

Common coutesy would surely be to call and let sellers know of change in plans.

09/02/2008 08:16 PM

by Michael Eisenberg, Bellingham Realtor (BuyerTours Realty)

Unfortunately, as I am sure you know, this happens all the time. Through the decades, whether by foot, horse, buggy, car, agents always have and always will pull this garbage. I guess the solution is, just tell them to give 30 minutes notice, that way it is hard to run behind... Of course I say this in jest, but what else can you do? Probably the only thing you can do, I warn your clients when you take the listing that this will happen...

09/02/2008 08:16 PM

by Aaron Cullen : Folsom + El Dorado Hills + Sacramento Area, CA Real Estate (Brokers Inc.)

Barry, I have to agree with your client. Very unprofessional to not call and let the client know the situation.

09/02/2008 08:18 PM

by Iam Gone (Until Next Time)

Barry~ There is NO EXCUSE for a agent to not call and cancel! It is a must. We all have cell phones, so it is easy to do now!

09/02/2008 08:21 PM

by Owensboro KY Real Estate Specialist Vickie McCartney Broker,ASP,ABR (Home Realty GMAC Real Estate Owensboro Kentucky)

Why did your client ream your butt? Should the buyer's agent be the one? They should update?

I always do?

Are the agent's calling you for showing instructions? Or did you list this at a fee for them to show themselves? It sounds to me like you listed this for them and the showing instructions say to call the owner?

Hmmm....

09/02/2008 08:22 PM

by Karen Monsour,REALTOR® Broward,Palm Beach,Miami/Dade! 954-464-4194 anytime! (Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach)

I always tell my clients that, that may happen...because, just like people leaving the lights on, or doors unlocked, you can't count on courtesy..

09/02/2008 08:33 PM

by Konnie MAC Northern Virginia Real Estate (Konnie McKee )

If this is happening repeatedly to the same client, then maybe there's some type of external obsolence or poor curb appeal that's making buyers instantly disqualify the property by simply riding by or pulling up into the yard. I attempted to show a property two days ago that happened to be located directly across the street from a prison and next door to a junk house. Needless to say, my clients did not want to get out of car, much less see the interior.

09/02/2008 08:46 PM

by Vanessa Calhoun (Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Classic)

Hey, Barry. I think that an apology from the "no-show" agents would be nice. If I am ever unable to make a showing, I call to say I am running behind or need to rescheduled. All my best, Jim

09/02/2008 08:53 PM

by Jim & Maria Hart ~ Charleston, SC Real Estate (Agent Owned Realty)

Barry, very well said. But the unfortunate truth is that those who need to hear your message will turn a deaf ear. Common everyday courtesy is something that is lacking in many people today...including some Real Estate agents. These are a small minority but they reflect badly on the rest of us.

09/02/2008 09:01 PM

by Jim Albano and Jean-Marie Vantuno North Jersey Real Estate Team/ Realtors® (Prudential Damiano Realty )

This is my biggest pet peeve. It only takes two seconds to call the listing from the car and state you wont be showing the home. We all get clients in the car that when you pull up to the house, they refuse to look at it.

09/02/2008 09:14 PM

by Kim Kelley, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty)

There are many rules that everybody understand but just "forget" to follow. One rental agent in Providence never calls back when I left a message for her on her cell and a message for her on her desk.

09/03/2008 07:51 AM

by Huiting Zhuang,Sell your business overseas (ReMax Post Road Realty)

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