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As an Estate Agent, you have to get used to a different way of working. With most jobs and professions, the work you do and the customers you have, pay for your services. Spend time helping someone, give advice, send information etc and you get paid for it. Not necessarily so in Estate Agency.
The lady had not done anything wrong, she was not rude and she didn't steal anything. But from the moment she walked in the door, she acted as if we had done something wrong, as if we were being rude asking her questions.
This week, one example of expectations, was a lady came into one of our offices. On being asked if we could help her, she replied 'Can I have a catalogue please?' Not such an unusual question, or unexpected. Politely she was informed that we do not produce a catalogue, explaining that with properties being sold and new properties being instructed often, it would be out of date as soon as it was produced.
The member of staff talking to her proceeded to ask if she would like us to email her any properties that would match her requirements, had she registered with us to be updated etc. The lady was reluctant to give too much away, but she did mention she had looked at all our properties on the internet and had registered with us online. Great! Anyone who registers online immediately is entered into our system. She gave her surname.....' Could I have your address too?'
'I am sure you will find my details, I doubt there is anybody else with my surname'....in fact there were another 9 people, so rather than actually tell us her address, we had to mention each road until she said 'yes thats my address'!
It was hard work for our poor advisor to get any information from the woman. She made it clear that she had expected to just walk in, pick up a catalogue and leave again. She wasn't really looking to move for a year or two and informed us there was no way she would be selling her own property until she had found the right one to move to.
So what's my point about this?
The lady had not done anything wrong, she was not rude and she didn't steal anything. But from the moment she walked in the door, she acted as if we had done something wrong, as if we were being rude asking her questions.
But had we? We are a business after all and she had walked into our offices wanting our help. Which we attempted to do, but the more information we had the easier that becomes. Sadly, she had the same impression that many people do.....that as soon as she walks through that door, she will be attacked by commission hungry sales people, who will sell their granny if they can persuade her to buy something.
The market has changed. The market is tough. No Estate Agency staff I know act like that.
So if you walk into an Estate Agents, please remember we want to help...yes, we want to sell something, like any kind of shop, but nobody can make you buy. if you really don't want to talk to someone, then do you need to walk in there?......the beauty of the internet and email means you never have to speak to anyone if you don't want to......
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Property prices are set to plunge by 14% this year and 10% next year, according to a major new economic forecast.
Diary of an Estate Agent 
