Hawaii Real Estate | Hawaii Relocations | Hawaii Home Buying & Selling

Sally....  I am the same way, I try to be very polite. But I just don't have time outside those that really need my help.  I had a call Friday from another lender, asking me about some FHA forms for a builder. I was extremely busy, but I did help that person out, even though it was my competition. But your phone call?  I would have just said, try Google... type in your questions...other than that, I am on the other line. Personally, there are only so many people you can help. My time is valuable, even though I have a kind heart...  I think you need to think about yourself and your time in many situations...   some may call it rude, I call it sensible and practical...

When I used to do residential, I used to try to be pretty cordial on the phones.  I too thought some of the calls were "crank calls".  When they got to the point of being silly, I would just tell them that I have a call coming in on the other line and if they would like to give me their number, I'd be glad to call them back.  The call usually ended there.

Every now and again I did get a call from someone older that just wanted to chat.  If the phones were slow, I'd just chat with them.  (Better than sitting around doing nothing).  I've gotten 1 or 2 leads doing that. 

I would say, "I'm sorry, but those are out of my market area."  I get emails/calls all the time asking my opinion of Austin and San Antonio and Houston, and I just tell them that I'm in Dallas and they would need to speak with someone in those other markets. I don't think it's rude to say that.  I won't say my opinion on people who can't see on a map how far away all those areas are from each other.

It is amazing how people try to pick our brains.  Be polite and tell him like you did, go ahead and google.....you went above and beyond.....

Sounds to me like you handled it just right! Did you ask him why he called you?

You dont have to know all the answers, just some ideas or knowledge of where to go to get the answers! The internet and various sites are great to recommend to folks like this! Good work!

You were very kind, but you also need to be careful. Listen to your gut instinct.

Sally, I am like you.  I will be polite as long as I know that it is not some sort of crank call!

I had someone call me the other night through our main office line to ask for directions to a new home development.  Since they didn't call my cell phone directly I have no idea how they were connected to me.  It was very confusing and other than saying yes you are going in the right direction when they told me where they were I had to wonder if it wasn't a joke.

Hi Sally,

"If it takes an elephant two weeks to walk a week how many apples in a bunch of grapes"  One girl actually answered me back with the number five.

Jeff:  I think you're pretty much on the same wave length as I am. I can be polite but from now on I'm going to cut it short quicker...like say....please go to google and get some info to play around with on the internet.

Brian: Now that is agreeable. I'll sit and chat...like I did today...until it got silly. Thanks!

Donna: Those areas WERE sure out of my  area... American Samoa and Puerto Rico...Guam.....this guy was being silly.

That particular call is absolutely weird and random.  If anyone asks how to spell Real Estate ... after saying they just want to see what is going on?  Odd

Ernie and Barb:  I think I was polite enough but not buying into it too much to let him get that much of a laugh.

Joan: I just happened to answer our office phone...thanks

David: When he started telling me to wait so he could look what came up that was the end of that help :)

Mara: Yeah....kind and being on alert....goes with the territory.

Audrey: I was as polite as I could be.....with I work in Hawaii sort of thing :)

Cindy: I suppose it's like with any other business ...real...or not :)

Hey Patrick! Haven't seen you for awhile...(maybe I'm hanging around the wrong places lol)   Oh, goodness....I'd be the one who says....get a life lol!

Derek: Yup....and especially when on the internet looking at real estate...and you'd think he'd ask how to spell American Samoa first ....weirdo.

I thought you handled the call well. Sometimes we just get lonely people.

An office I worked at a couple of years ago had problems with a couple of senior woman who would get agents to list their home, hols open houses and then decided not to sell. They would go from office to office. It was sad, but they just wanted company.

Sally,

You are soo patient, I like how you handled the call. I'm also curious why he called you...:)

Sally, geeeeeee I didn't know you helped out with spelling, maybe I will call you instead of using spell check ....... LOL

Seriously you have far more patience than I do, you are just to nice :)  

Sally - Well, that was an interesting way to spend an afternoon at work...at least he asked about interesting places. LOL  I guess he was just bored. Have a great week!

My Favorite calls are the people who THINK?  they won the lottery or some sweepstake or some kind of settlement.    I have spent hours on some of these and sometimes years, showing these so called instant Millionaires property, knowing that I AM THE FOOL that is believing their stories.

Geoff: Yeah...I run across those at Open Houses....including my mom dropping by :)

Suzanne: Because I was the lucky one who answered?  That's what happens when answering the phone at the office...he didn't call my cell :) 

Woo Hoo! I must not be as totally connected but I never get calls like that. I don't even get solicitations calls, thankfully. When the caller asked you spell real estate I would have answered, S-A-L-L-Y C-H-E-E-S-E-M-A-N. :-) So if I get a call like that, I will spell it out for you,lol

 

PS, I wrote a much better comment , went to add a smiley face, came back and the message was gone.I couldn't remember it. LMAO. 

Sally,

I would tell him to call Lenn Harley!!! LOL, Thanks,   Fran

Sally- I try to always be polite to start with anyways! Before Nestor and I had our photo together and I was a solo agent, I would have stalkers call me from pay phones. I finally had to stop putting my photo on my ads. It was downright scary. It is tough when you don't know what their intentions are. I always try to give the benefit of the doubt. But there is that icky feeling you get and then you know polite is not going to cut it. 

ummm I never suggest mapquest - unless I ask - are you looking for a home on that street :) - then I take them.... you crack me up

Sally, this young man need a world atlas.  It'll even tell him how o spell Puerto Rico.  Maybe not reaql estate, though!

Morning Sally,

You handled it right. You were polite, instructive and managed the time you spent. I agree with William though, the next time someone ask how to spell Real Estate, reply S-A-L-L-Y C-H-E-S-S-E-M-A-N. Even spell check would agree!

Have a great day!

Hal

Sally next time I get a call like that I'll tell them to call you.  You are much more patient than I am.  I am polite but I let them know I am about to go into a meeting and unable to continue the conversation if they need any further real estate information I would be happy to set up an appointment to meet with them at another time.  That is usually the end of the conversation.  I use this also with anyone who just wants to pick my brain and wants free advise.

If I wasn't busy I'd probably help them for about 5 minutes and then tell them I just got a call into a meeting.

Sally I always try to be polite with people but at times you really wonder what people are thinking. That was a strange call - baffling why someone would call Hawaii when they want info on Puerto Rico.

Sally--I don't get too many of those but did get one that insisted that he called the department of health for water information because I have the information on my website. When he googled, he got my site first so of course that had to be the right number...NOT! I actually was on line and looked up the number for him. Just easier to help and get them off of the line as quickly as possible. Sometimes they are real potential clients so you have to be nice to all callers. You handled everything professionally as usual! :)

Sometimes I can take calls like that and be patient, but when you're really busy and the phone is ringing and you hang up another (real) call to take that one--I get annoyed. What do they think you are? Their personal research assistant? 

 

I had one yesterday that stretched my patience. Buyer calls my cell phone from a sign on a house. "Is this house for sale by owner or through an agent?" DUH. You see the company sign on the house?

"I am a real estate agent and yes the house is for sale. Would you like more info?"

"I just told you I want to know if the house is for sale by owner or through an agent?"

"The house is for sale, through a real estate firm."

"So where is the owner?"

(it's a spec home) "The owner built the home and now it's for sale."

"What does that mean?"

(am I nuts here? What part of this doesn't she get?)

"The house is for sale. The price is $58,900. Are you interested in seeing it?"

 "Yes. I'm here right now."

 "Well, we need to make an appointment. Would you like to see it later this afternoon or tomorrow?

"I just said I'm here now. I am going shopping in 15 minutes, so I'd like to see it right now."

At this point, I am ready to dump this one. Instead, I made an appointment for the next day and gave the lead to another agent in my firm. I'd probably strangle the woman if she really wants to buy this one. 

Sally, I know how you feel. I like the ones that call me and ask me to help them sell their house.  HHmmm what's in it for me?  Not to be rude but what is in it for me? I ask them if they are going to buy? maybe a mortgage..no.. they don't want to pay a realtor or get a mortgage....

Hi Sally,
Depends on how busy I am and my state of mind...I can get testy with a caller like this.  Imagine that and you thought I was always the perfect Southern lady, didn't you?

How to spell real estate?  That cracked me up.  Was he able to figure out what Google was?

My graphic word was:  tagua-tagua

Is that Samoan?

George: Well, we all can just be so nice when it comes to pranks. I believe this one was....and hey....spell check is available to all....I can't believe I spelled it for him :)

Hey Linda! Well, bored is one thing....but this was beyond bored. :)  Hope you're doing well! How's hubby?

Glenda: Didn't get any of those calls...yet. That's weird.

William: I am definitely going to spell it like that from now on...darn. I wish I were quick with my mouth :)

Fran: I think I told him right. I am an agent in Hawaii....don't think Lenn would appreciate that call either :)

Katerina: That's sick. I really doubt the person knew who he was calling...it was at the office. i think he thought he was funny.

Thesa: That's funny....the majority of the time they're asking for another company....they can search that one themselves LOL!

Patricia: No kidding.... I'm getting tips on how to have good comebacks from this post though lol

Hal: Okay, guys. I got the perfect answer now.... too bad I didn't have all your suggestions before I got the call :)

Sally- Mapquest......but I'm in my car :)

Nanette: Oh, please....don't tell anyone to call me...I'm handling very well at present...more of them...I may not :)

Neal: Yeah...I need to think up some good stuff and use all of your suggestions I'm reading now. :)

Bill: He changed his mind to American Samoa...  a crank.

Teri:  I'm getting emails from attorney's and people who want donations for the preservation of land. Sometimes I wonder what these people are assuming.

Erica: Lucky person you gave the lead to :)  I think those are not even worth my time...already I know our personalities would clash .... I do not put rude people above myself. :)

Matt: What kind of bunk is that?  If only they would put themselves in our shoes. geez.

Cynthia: I sure did!  Believe me....I've gotten rude....okay, not much but I have....enough to....click!

LOL Randy!  No kidding....the best part was me spelling it for him with attitude in my voice LOL!

Kathy: Then they should get a GPS. LOL

WooHoo, Learning how to handle these calls is very important. Here's the technique that I use that has worked well for me over the years.

"Please hold"

"Hey TLW....it's for you" :)

 

BB:  You think I can do that to Randy?  LOL!

HAHAAA! You're a lot more patient than I am. The first time he asked me about another area, my response would have been that I work the Daytona Beach FL area and that I couldn't help him with anything else.

Lisa: Yeah....the laugh was on me I think LOL!

Wow u got all kinds of response! good stuff!

David: Yup....writing and commenting gets readership...thanks!

I guess I am really lucky since I hardly ever get calls like this!!!!