Gabrielle has hit the nail on the head with this one. Almost every difficult client I have ever had, whether as a builder or as an inspector, are also the ones most likely to give me the most referrals. I have had other clients that knew I worked with "xxx" and told me that if I could work "successfully" with them, I could work with anyone and therefore must be good. :)
Someone once said that and it was something I remembered yesterday as I spoke to an agent about their Seller's home. As we talked she said, "The Seller is crazy and difficult - and I don't like his wife - the sooner they are gone as clients - the better."
That left me with a really yucky feeling. (Kinda like when my old car doesn't start and I feel like trading it in for a new one - then I feel bad since it's been with me forever!) I've had difficult Sellers, or Sellers that maybe I didn't like much or Sellers that I knew were going to give me a run for my experience every day! But still ...
Anyway, I think it's safe to say - we all know how important it is to be respectful and loyal to our clients - it's the only way they will be loyal to us. And it's a lot easier to keep clients happy than it is to find new ones.
So when this agent, who will probably get upset when her clients find a different agent, comes crying about it - I will likely say:
Enjoy your Tuesday and be kind to your clients! (Photo from free Microsoft Clip Art)
Buying or selling Tucson real estate, Mt Lemmon, Tucson bank-owned homes, Tucson rental homes, or Tucson lease option homes? Visit www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com.
This blog is written with my opinions and my opinions are presented with accuracy but not guarantees. Please talk to a professional before making any real estate, financial or agency decisions. Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission: TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com.
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I will also add that, in my experience, the people that really difficult people hang out with are often NOT difficult-----sort of the "opposites attract" principle----how many alpha wolves can you have in one room at a time? Some of my easiest clients as a builder were ones that became live long friends and were referred by other more difficult ones. Also some of my clients that were difficult in the beginning became pussy cats later :)
Hi Charles, What's really confusing is if you have both a difficult client and an easy client (husband and wife or vise-versa). I had that combo alot when building. jay
Jay, so true----more or less always the way it was---just a matter of learning who to talk to under what circumstances :) I can remember on more than one occasion getting what I wanted to hear from one only to get slammed by the one that had the balls to say what they meant :)
There's that old saying, If you don't take care of your clients, someone else will!
I've had many clients and I get many referrals form them. THe bad ones I truly never want to see again. I wish them well on their way...to another Realtor if need be.
I think it depends on how they are being difficult. If they are just needy, like everything their way, or little irritating then so be it. If they are down right rude or completely disrespectful to others then they need to be fired.
After 30 years of real estate I can say that clients whom I'd turn down if they asked me to work with them again wouldn't add up to the fingers on both hands.
Jay, did you ever have one you were happy to have someone else take care of
Lizette, I think that can happen for sure
Troy, life is too short for the grief some people can dish out----I have probably not fired some that I should have
Barbara, I agree the vast majority of people are decent.
Mr Charles,
This is very true however since my clients, and yours, do not buy five houses a week, to keep me busy, I have to get some new ones sometimes too.
Nutsy
Nutsy, I think you need to find some new nuts.
That is so true Charlie B, especially today...
Charles,
True words of wisdom.
Thanks Don
A few doctors ago, I had a co-worker that actually wrote me a note, (while she was on the phone!) saying, "this lady is too picky, we don't want her, get rid of her! I was stunned. Just because she was taking a little more time! Her whole family were already patients, but she needed a little extra attention on this particular day. That's easy; I'll answer her questions. Turns out this lady was a manager of a division with the big software folks in Redmond! Needless to say, I kept chatting to her, and finding out her needs. Geesh! WHAT was my co-worker thinking? That we were so profitable, we could pick and choose what patients to keep?
I went home that day, realizing it was time for me to find another place to work. :) I now work in an office where EVERY patient is listened to, and valued.