I'm going to say right upfront here, do NOT send me hate mail. Because I am about to say that there are parallels between certain types of sales people, say, for example, a car salesperson and a real estate salesperson. I've heard it said that the easiest person to sell to in the universe is another salesperson, but I think that's only the dumb ones. The thing is nobody wants to be sold. It's irritating. And the only people who don't find it irritating are those who can't figure out that they are being sold.
The parallel between a car salesperson and a real estate salesperson is they are both in sales. The difference between the two is generally a real estate person wants to help a buyer achieve his or her goal. And they form a fiduciary relationship together. But there are people who don't like dealing with a real estate agent because they think the agent has one goal in mind -- to sell and close on a house. And they don't trust agents for that reason. There is a conflict when it comes to money.
Yet, there are ethical agents in the business. Agents who focus solely on their clients and try to do what is best and right and legal for their clients. With car salespeople, it's all about the money. I don't know why dealerships even employ salespeople except they probably need some kind of on-the-lot body to ride along in the car to make sure the test driver brings it back. It's not as though they know their product inside and out.
Can you tell that I am shopping for a new car? When I know the interior options that are available and the salesperson does not, it's irritating. When a salesperson tells me he will run the numbers and call me right back but doesn't, it's irritating. When I ask for meteor gray and the salesperson tries to sell me pearl black, it's irritating. And these are a couple of dealerships that have employed individuals to interact online who are supposed to be focused on customer service. They are irritating.
And it must be just as irritating for them to have to deal with us in the public who care about only one thing: the dealer's bottom line. Man, today I am very thankful that I am a Sacramento short sale agent and not working in the auto industry. That's an awful job.
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Certified HAFA Specialist
My Sacramento Real Estate Listings
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available at Amazon.com.
Lyon Real Estate is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.
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The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.
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