All About Naples Florida

Why is it again that realtors always take the hit for customer service?  I have spent much of my day on the phone with Sprint.  I was trying to modify a phone.  Yes the necessary EVIL of realtors having to deal with a cell phone and  the expense and in my case HORRENDOUS Customer Service.   As we speak now I have been on hold for a supervisor for 13 minutes on my cell. 

   The story begins with a brief call at 9:30 am  to Sprint.  I asked that they modify a phone I had.  I wrote down all the details and it was effective immediately.  MY first mistake - not getting the persons name from that call.  So lesson #1 Always write the person's name you are dealing with down.  ( later you can pin it to the wall and throw darts at it  while you drink large glasses of Wine or is that whine?)

2nd Call goes in when I see the changes have been made online but are not effective at approximately 1:30 p.m.  I call again and am told there were no notes /they could see I called in the morning but have no record of why I called and certainly not about the changes I am inquiring about.... why did I call then????  They say they can make the changes now and before the operator disconnects she is making fun of me to the other operators into the phone.... nice great customer service!  Lesson # 2 take a valium before calling Sprint Customer Service. Valium will mix  with the wine and you might draw a funny picture of the customer service rep to add to their name on the dart board!  We're having fun NOW!

3rd Call goes in around 3 pm when it appears the changes are sort of effective but not what I really wanted - oh yes time count I am still on hold for a supervisor - 16 minutes and counting.   Anyway this time the gal tells me that I called in the morning at 9 :30 and she says the notes say I called regarding a change of minutes.... notes what notes I thought there weren't any ????Nothing could even be close ... we are talking two entirely different subjects.  I interject that no that is not why I called and she insists that the notes cannot be wrong.  I say something smart like " Oh I guess Sprint doesn't make mistakes".  I ask to speak to a supervisor I don't want to argue with this person any more and she Ruby informs me that none are available.  None?  Nope they are in a meeting.  She puts me on hold ( more minutes) do you want to leave a message? No how about voice mail - one would think that Sprint must have voice mail for their supervisors.  Nope no voice mail instead after another 5 minutes I am disconnected.    Guess they don't want me to speak with a supervisor. Hmmm isn't the customer always right.... Maybe I should start drinking now?

4th call yes I am tenancious - ( what else can you be if your are in our business) anyway this is the call I am holding on for ahhh 20 minutes later I get a hold of a Supervisor.  Her response.  Oh I am sorry.  Is there anything else I can help you with ???  I said no I appreciate the experience it will make great fodder for all the realtors I will share it with so that they will know never to call *2 for Sprint Customer Service from their Sprint cell phone... that it was horrible and the worst yet.   She seems unphased... Her helpful suggestion .. if I want to spend more of my day on this I can go to Sprint.com and hit contact us and write down all of my troubles.  They will then go to the trouble department where they will be made into paper airplanes for the customer service reps to throw at each other.  Finally when they are done they will recycle this paper and it will eventually be used to manufacture the local newspaper that we realtors hear nothing positive from but support with our ads.   Ahhh thank you Sprint... REMEMBER for a good time call *2 from your Sprint Phone ....

Happy New Year!

    Sorry folks but not here.  It is currently 72 degrees at 6 p.m.  I just got back from watching a beautiful sunset and am sitting here in my bare feet with the sliders open.  Nothing beats Naples Florida and especially this time of year.   Supposed to be in the 80's tomorrow and the next day , and the next..... you get the idea.                                                

    Oh but don't worry we still have lots of holiday spirit way down here along the Gulf of Mexico.  There is nothing like doing the holiday stroll at Venetian Village on Thursday evenings, or going to the Philharmonic for the Holiday Pops performance, just don't forget to wipe the sand off your feet ( NOT SNOW!!!)

   We have plenty of beautiful decorations, lots of tropical color and some spectacular light displays like this one in beautiful Pelican Bay. 

                 Finally a huge Congratulations to the Naples High School Football Team for winning the STATE Championship.  They celebrated today with a parade and it was well deserved.  GO NHS! 

 The importance of a good team cannot be emphasized enough!  I have recently been dealing with a title company that can't seem to get it together.  I am starting to feel like I am in the movie Groundhog Day! Remember every day is exactly like the last?

Here is how it has gone...

Day 1 I call the buyers title company am put on hold and eventually disconnected.  It is near close of business with the weekend looming so I will call first thing Monday. 

Day 2 Monday I call to let the  title company know what company the sellers will be using.  I leave my correct phone number and have all pertinent data faxed from my team of professionals to them.  Later that day I receive a 2nd call asking who is handling the seller's side?  I check in with my team and they assure me every bit of contact info was received by the " other company".  They can confirm it.  A good team!

Day 3 Tuesday I receive a message from my office that the " other company " has called angry that I am not returning calls and needs guess what?  you guessed it they need to know who is closing the sellers side.  I again call and talk to 2 different people and am informed that someone is supposed to be checking messages for the gal I was told to leave a voice mail with  and that someone probably got my fax and put it someone's mailbox.  I again give my phone number ( they had it wrong on a fax they sent to me). 

Day 4 Wednesday I get another call.  It is to be noted that again my office was called with yet again a request for my phone number.  When I answer the phone the question is " I need to know who is handling the sellers side".... Before I can stop myself I ask incredulously " Are you KIDDING ME?" 

Well that did not illicit a very pleasant response and when I point out all of the communication issues that seemed to be happening within the " other company"  I was told " I am just an employee here." 

This deal is not a multi million dollar deal but the people are no less important.  I am grateful that my sellers are confident in my ability and chose to use someone I trust and know will do a terrific job. Once again I am reminded of the value of a great team!

Realtors, and this applies to everyone not just WOMEN -( don't let the name fool you guys out there)... Do you have a Women's Council in your area?  If so, have you thought of participating and partnering with this great group of professionals?  Did you realize you can join and become a part of the Referral Roster  and online Referral Center which generated over $100 million in commissions for members last year? 

In today's challenging market why not explore the opportunity of professional growth, referrals, industry trend and information opportunities and check out Women's Council of Realtors.  If you would like more information or to see if there is a council in your neck of the woods just check out www.wcr.org . 

                                                           Reindeer in Olde Naples          

 Looking for something fun to do this Saturday night?  Why not head over to the Dock Restaurant for a Grouper Sandwich and then get ready for the Terrific Naples Bay Boat Parade!  Boats are decorated in full holiday regalia!  It is a something the whole family can enjoy.   It is all for a good cause benefiting the Ricky King Foundation.  For more information call 239 261 0882.