This is exactly the time to be MORE service oriented and accommodating to our colleagues.

"I don't check my e-mail" is akin to saying "I am substandard as a real estate professional"

I hope the next time an agent starts to use that as an excuse, they think about this. It is not a justification for failing to communicate timely. It is simply an admission of incompetence.

you know what I don't get? ... shouldn't the listing agent be jumping for joy knowing there is interest in his listing? I would be! It may be another 6 or 12 months before the next interested buyer comes by! Does this hybernating LA know the market has changed?

[Michaela sez: shouldn't the listing agent be jumping for joy knowing there is interest in his listing?]

Boy, I sure would be. And even if we're countering or even cancelling, I effusively express gratitude to the buyer's agent. We want 'em to come back over and over again.

Mary, the title of your post would make a good name for a singing group.

I agree with what has been said.

I have a deal working right now with an experienced agent that returns my calls and emails almost immediately. Makes a big difference in how the transaction flows.

Hi Mary, numb agents in any market is just nuts.

Isn't that exactly why we have email and cell phones?  Accessibility!  If you're not going to use them, you'd be nuts to pay the bills.  Just cancel the service.

[Craig sez: numb agents in any market is just nuts.]

Yeah, if they were a singing group they could be called the NNs and I don't mean 'double net' either! ;)

Numbnuts is a good phrase to describe these agents that fail to do their job as agents. Since the grey matter has to be numb which would qualify them as nuts. The sad truth is is happens much to often. I started on Friday setting up appointments for today. One agent did not return my call so I called again on Saturday. They said they would get back to me within and hour. Sunday went by and Monday morning I called to give them feed back on the property I was going to show. I advised them to tell their client the reason my buyer will not be purchasing their property is because their agent after 72 hours could not find the time to OK a showing. I doubt the NN will deliver this feed back but I wish I could. They deserve to have their license pulled!

Here you go Mary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtDn5ChHI28

Gary Szolosi, isn't that an old Navy term? Numbnuts - funny stuff, I was think you were always with a smile - just like in your picture. But, you can't smile and call someone NumbNuts. It just can't be done. Maybe you have an evil twin brother?

Here is one of my many stories:  Recently Marcia and I have been showing a lot of Short Sales and REOs as they seem to be the properties in our clients price range.  We try for the VACANT - GO DIRECTS most often as our clients seem to have a long list of properties they would like to see.  Recently we stopped at a home I know my clients would be very interested in.  Vacant, suprabox.  Pull in the driveway as there is little parking on the street and go up to the door.  I pull out the key and it doesn't work.  We walk around the house (super back yard) to try another door.  All window coverings closed up tight.  Key does not fit.  Head out front, and a car pulls up and lady says, "You are parked in MY driveway."  We pull the car out as quick as possible.  I apologize with Oh the MLS says Active, Vacant, keysafe, go. I am soooo sorry.  She informs me that it is all a mistake.  It is by appointment only and we can not see it at this time. Two agents listed for contact and I call both immediately.  Neither are picking up their cells.  So we head out (we have 5 more properties to look at.)  THREE days later I get a message from one of them to give her a call to show, as there was a mistake on the MLS.  That is a pretty big mistake in my mind and very embarrassing.  Thank goodness our clients know both Marcia and I or they would think we were the numbnuts.

Jana

Gary's comment raises and interesting question he said, "I advised them to tell their client the reason my buyer will not be purchasing their property is because their agent after 72 hours could not find the time to OK a showing."  Mistakes happened, we all need to forgive and forget even the numbnuts.  Is the real reason for the client not buying the house is because the agent did not return a phone call, or because the property was not suitable for the client?

It's also wonderful when you put "48 hours notice needed, rental property" and you get the call to show it that afternoon.  I put in the 48 in hopes of getting 24!

My partner was trying to get ap'ts to see 2 condo's listed with the same company (diff. agents), neither returned calls all weekend.  Both had 2 agents listed (partners?), no response.  So she calls the office this morning to ask if anyone can help her get in.  FINALLY, gets a response.  One of them says, OH we don't have a key at the property yet, can you come by the office? UH NO!!! we have a full day, with a ALOT of condo's to view.... if you want yours on the list, better get me key.  She met my partner at the property.  Guess what?  that just may be the "one".  

So, in answer to your question Dee, how would you know if it is the property if you can't get in it?  

Shelly

That's right Shelly. Gotta see it to know.

The BEST NN I ever EVER had was, listing said call LA to show. Called Thursday nite for Saturday showing. Busy.

Called Friday morning. Busy.

Friday afternoon. Busy.

Friday evening, Saturday morning, Sunday morning, evening, BUSY BUSY BUSY.

FINALLY got the agent Monday afternoon. Asked her, WOW do you have an alternate number or an e-mail address? I was trying for 3 days to talk to you about 123 N. N. Street. You're on the phone a LOT.

SHE TOLD ME: No, I was out of town.

I TOOK MY PHONE OFF THE HOOK. I kept getting calls and I had already written an offer on the property!

My client and I were both knocked over with a feather.

Could it be the LA wants to sell it themselves if in a dual agent office.(no I don't wish to initiate a dual agency debate) but then there are the buyer's agents that can't don't or won't read the MLS, I have a 24hr show scheduling service with web or toll free phone # access and they still insist on sounding incensed in their messages to me wanting to show. My sellers need never miss a showing by another agent. It says plainly in the MLS call 888-xxx-xxxx for lock box and showing instructions what could be easier! Any thing that is relevant about the property is read to them verbatim by the showing operators and they can schedule showings on my listings any time of the day or night. Again What could be easier. Guess my pet peeve is agents that refuse to read "agent remarks" or "showing instructions" when I go to the trouble of putting them in there.

I'm with Virginia on that one.  I had another agent calling me about showing a listing.  We have showing desk at the office.  It clearly states on the listing to call the office.  I'm with customers, we're just getting to the house, my phone rings, I answer it and this agent wants to make an appointment.  I explain a little about the house, the situation and ask her to call the office.  She says, well, can't you just give me the information?  I tell her I'm just about to do a showing, am not in the office, can't remember what the code is, please call the office.  She gets all huffy.  I explain to her the instructions are to call the office, this is the number.  Her reply?  I guess you don't want to sell the house.     Well, yes, I would. But work with you?  No, lol.   *sigh*

I also sometimes have difficulty getting the listing agent to call back.  I try the office and they tell me that I have to speak with the agent..they often connect me to their cell phone.  No call back.  My next call is then to the broker.  I get a call back from the agent.  :)

Mary, I know Gary is NOT a sleep at the wheel. I only joke about the smile and the term NumbNuts. Gary could tell me where to get off and I would think Happy Thoughts about the ride. He is very smooth.

I have been a Broker, reviewing contracts, fielding complaints, and trying to smooth over problems of missed deadlines, agents not responding, etc., over the past 13 years or so.  I have come to the conclusion that your average agent treats their business, just like the average person goes about life with regard to speed limits, healthy choices, television viewing, etc. "WHATEVER!"

I see stuff everyday, Gary, that IMHO merits your statement:"They deserve to have their license pulled!" A lot of it is in regard to state regulated matters, as well, not just failing to answer a call.

In our state you must complete 2000 hours of education to cut hair.  Only 90 is required to be a Real Estate Licensee.  It is time to make it much, much harder to get into this business. I don't see any other way, outside of more "boots on the ground" governmental supervision (which I hate), to make practioners take their jobs more seriously.

P.S. Of course, when I screw up, I want Dee to be my judge.

Troy, I am not judging you or anyone least of all Gary.  I like him, his contribution to this post is much appreciated.  I read his comment and wondered (out loud) the client didn't get a chance to look at or even buy because a phone call from the LA was not returned.  Does that mean Gary was mad at the agent and therefore moved his client on to another property, what if the client wanted the property anyway?  What would I have done, step back get over it and try again, get mad and move on, or go about it differently?  The thought just popped into my head as I was reading Gary's comment.  Please I mean no malice.

Mary,

The "no returned calls" happens frequently.  Two weeks ago, same scenario: I called to make an appointment.  The MLS says "call LO".  I called the LO and the receptionist said I must call the LA.  To which I replied "but the MLS says call LO."  She replied that her instructions are to tell callers to call the LA's cell.  So I did, twice that mornihng.  

The LA finally returned my call a full week later.  She apologized saying she was in bed with the flu. I said "couldn't you at least have instructed your office that you are unable to show your listings?"  She replied: "I was too sick to worry about that." And I pulled a Gary S. by telling her "That's one way to make sure your client's property wouldn't get sold that week."  She hung up on me.

That brings me back to one of my posts, last year, "Who does your work when you are not working?"  Mary you are right -- "as Listing Agents, we represent and work for, THE SELLER."  All real estate agents MUST have a "buddy system" to take over if we are sick or go away.  

John

I have called for showings several times and no response.  If the client only knew how many times this happens in a market like this they would be shocked.  I called one agent yesterday who couldn't remember the address of the property and said it was not his listing.  I called his Broker and sure enough it was his listing.  These agents should tell their clients, I am a part time agent, I may not remember I have your listing but I will put it on MLS for you.  Crazy....

Dee,

I was referring to your forgiving attitude that you expressed in your post: "Mistakes happened, we all need to forgive and forget even the numbnuts." I was just saying that I know, on occasion that I screw up. I hope whoever is dealing with it has that kind of attitude about me.

Sorry you misunderstood, in the end, if we all operated closer to what you are suggesting, we would probably be doing a better job for our client, even if some other agents frustrate us.

Troy,

Thanks for the clarification and the kind words I misunderstood.  I do agree with Mary.  "...sometimes our thoughts and feelings just don't come across like we intend them to".