Design your dream Estate Agency.

princessamy86

I'm confused. Racyred, what shoes should we wear? I think missm was being a bit tongue in cheek!

MissMotivation

RacyRed wrote: »

Sigh, in an attempt to get this thread on track I'm going to pick you up on this MissM. I'm not picking on you, just trying to get what I think is an important point across to all EAs.

I very recently sold a property. A number of agents were invited to value.

Did the bright young thing who tried to impress us with how great their agency was get the job? No.

Did the very attractive lady (in very high heels and a lovely suit ) who spent most of her time on her mobile while she wandered round picking things up and putting them down with a look of disdain on her face get the job? No.

Or the bright young person who arrived full of enthusiasm; had done their homework, knew the area; knew the property history; knew about recent sales in the same building; made us feel as if our home was really special and, even though the market was at rock bottom at the time, got us loads of viewings in the first week and a solid buyer within 6 weeks. Did he get the job? Oh yes, and almost £10k in fees.

So it makes you chuckle to think that nervous and insecure sellers (which most of us are at the outset) might worry about the effect your heels might have on their floors? Then you are subliminally telling potential clients you are more interested in your own image than you are in them and what they are trying to achieve.

Am I getting through to anyone that a good attitude and some respect are essential?

Obviously my attempt at being light-hearted failed!

Princessamy is correct, my post was very much tongue in cheek. Not that I need to justify anything but when on valuations I always offer to take off my shoes whether there is carpet OR wooden flooring. I deal with a lot with a wide range of properties and wouldn't dream of damaging someones property whether that be laminate, marble, Karndean or solid oak.

I'm sorry that you misunderstood my attempt at humour RacyRed.

RacyRed

princessamy86 wrote: »

I'm confused. Racyred, what shoes should we wear? I think missm was being a bit tongue in cheek!

I know it was tongue in cheek! But don't you get it?

You are going into strangers' homes, you don't know who or what to expect, your dress, both clothes and footwear, together with your attitude, should be targeted to make the people you meet feel comfortable.

Wear any shoes you like that don't have really thin heel tips, don't you know that they can do more damage than mud does?

EMPATHISE with your clients.

princessamy86

I do get it! I don't even wear heels on valuations because I'm 5"8 and I feel like a giantess in heels. Like missm, I will always offer to take my shoes off.

MissMotivation

RacyRed wrote: »

I know it was tongue in cheek! But don't you get it?

You are going into strangers' homes, you don't know who or what to expect, your dress, both clothes and footwear, together with your attitude, should be targeted to make the people you meet feel comfortable.

Wear any shoes you like that don't have really thin heel tips, don't you know that they can do more damage than mud does?

EMPATHISE with your clients.

Seriously I cannot win!

I do feel the need to defend myself here. The comment about wearing slippers on a valuation was a joke! I wear heels because I'm insecure about my height.....I'm not going to stop wearing heels full stop end of story.

You talk about lack of respect? How does offering to take off my shoes show a lack of respect?

RacyRed

:wall:

In post 181 I was trying to help explain what, in my opinion, makes a good estate agent and what detracts from that. The shoes were meant as illustration. They are NOT the main issue.

MissMotivation

RacyRed wrote: »

:wall:

In post 181 I was trying to help explain what, in my opinion, makes a good estate agent and what detracts from that. The shoes were meant as illustration. They are NOT the main issue.

And part of your post was about lack of respect, I used the issue about heels to try and demonstrate that I have ultimate respect for clients' homes............

trolleymate

"Yes, I haven't voted on your poll. Last time I looked, you were the only one who had voted, so didn't seem too much point..... also, you can't call the result of this poll a 'big swing' unless you have a similar previous poll to compare it to - do you have one?"

"Didn't seem much point" ?
Its a poll, need people to vote, there are a few votes now, maybe you will feel more comfortable voting for something where you can first of all see what everyone else is voting for rather than making up your own mind.
This thread, yet again, like so many others, shows the need for the fixed price agents and online agents to make the property sales market more competative.
As the FSO has called for on many occassions.

adg1

RacyRed wrote: »

Am I getting through to anyone that a good attitude and some respect are essential?

I think we understand what you are saying really and I agree. Maybe footwear was the wrong example to use though.

Appearance is lovely but when there is no substance there is no hope.

I, in fact, totally agree. Some people are so image conscious they forget the reason they are there in the first place.

The problem I'd have is not with what the agent wears but the knowledge they can demonstrate.

If that comes from a 6 foot lady in 6 inch heels with a short skirt then so be it.

Equally, if it comes from the old man in slacks and an open shirt thats fine.

I want to know my house is, at the moment, the most important thing to them and that spending time to take an interest is essential.

MissMotivation

Here's a thought........why I don't I start a thread titled

"What does every hate about Estate Agents"

I bet it would be the most read and responded to thread.....ever

Then everyone can get their frustrations out of their systems and people who have genuine questions can get post stuff without having to read all this rubbish?