Recently I got out of my car to greet a client and assist them in evaluating a property they were considering. Almost the first thing the client said as he took my hand was, "Over the past month we have called at least a half dozen agents inquiring about property, but YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO RETURNED OUR CALLS!
His question was very direct, "Why don't agents return calls?" I had no explanation to give. I simply don't understand why anyone would offer their service to the public as a realtor® and then fail to return prospect calls. Are some of them a waste of time? Perhaps. But the only way to find the ones that are going to produce a sale is to RETURN ALL CALLS!
I have a longstanding policy, one that I followed when I owned and operated an international trading company 25 years ago and have never wavered in my commitment to it. Every call will be returned the same day it is received! Even if the only response I can provide is, "Thank you for your call, I will gather information and get back to you tomorrow (or another date certain). I follow this policy whether the inquiry is received via voice mail, text message, email, or snail mail.
For me, the name of the game is SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS and I want to be known to my customers as being responsive to their needs. This policy defines who I am and what I believe about business. I want my clients to tell all of their friends, Call John Cleek, he will answer your call!
