We hate confrontation.  We imagine all kinds of scenarios.  So we hum and ha.  Put it off.  Tell half truths and end up in a stew.  I think Jim gave you terrific advise.  

Jana

Yep, Yep, Yep..... shoot straight and good things happen !!

Powerful concept there, truth!

It does seem to go better often when we just bite the bullet

and tell it like it is.

Good reminder, honesty is still the best policy, uncomfortable or not~

Excellent post Phil. I agree, just give it to me how it is. Don't sugar coat it. Jim gave you some good advice for sure. I think we've all asked advice from someone like Jim before.

hmmm, the truth delivered succinctly, with little fanfare, and a solution presented at the same time.  Novel concept?  shouldn't be.  But it is.

Shelly

By the way I love the picture!

Great post and the truth is always the easiest thing to remember.

I always tell someone I have bad and good news. And more good news. First the good, then the bad, then more good.

I guess I talk too much too . . . LOL

REALLY good post Doc!

Phil, my best approach is the sandwich. Good, bad, good. I can pull this off better. Sometimes you really have to look to find 2 goods when having to present the bad but I always seem to grab one out of the air.

So basically, exactly like Candice said, except the real meat is in the center covered by bread on top and bottom. Throw in a pickle and tomato if you want to dance around some. Depends on the person you are dealing with, sometimes you have to also draw a picture of the sandwich. I'm hungry.

I just got a joke e-mailed to me about a Swedish sandwich by one of my clients. It's very off color. Use your imagination. Or e me and I'll send it to you . . .

jumping jiminy ..... send it paweeeze :)

Phil, that's a great lesson for all of us, thanks for sharing your story.

Yes, yes, yes.  Most folks can deal with bad news best if it is presented directly and honestly as early as possible.  How many of us have gotten the 'bad news' from a lender just before closing only to learn later that the loan originator had known about it for a week or more?  That, of course, is just one example of the type of bad news of which we are the recipient.  

Great reminder and lesson for us, Phil.  Thank you!

This is a nice thread, Phil

What I do right from the start is to inform buyers and sellers that there might be hills and valleys and mountains we need to climb over and that we may slip along the way up front, but that for the most part everything works out in the end.

For the most part this way if the unexpected problem comes along they most likely understand because they may have through it before..

 "The Truth there is no substitute."

Vance

I used to agonize over delivering bad news.  I could create more theoretical scenarios just to drive myself nuts!  None of which ever happened.  Tell it straight, short sweet and to the point.  

Great Post!

Sometimes bad news is actually good news veiled.

Excellent post Phil. A good reminder.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to REliberation in the month of August! There were a lot