I wouldn't doubt that the agents trying to call another agent are hitting all kinds of roadblocks. It's sickening. And, it's a shame we can't say anything to the seller - except when their listing has expired and then we're allowed to talk with them.

The saddest part is when buyers/sellers run into these 'don't take phone calls/don't return phone call' types they then think all agents/brokers are like that and it puts a real bad mark on our industry. FOLKS OUT THERE, not all of us are like this!

I answer my phone most of the time, but I have a bad habit of forgetting my phone in the car, or my coat pocket, etc. I do return calls pretty quickly, but honestly I prefer text messages and e-mail. I ignore my phone if I am busy with other things, but check voice mail right away. The reason is, as an REO agent, I get lots of phone calls that start with, "We're sitting in the driveway of such-and-such house. Can you show it to us right now?" as if I am sitting around waiting for the phone to ring so I can run right out there. It never fails that when you try to set up a showing with these people at a more convenient time, they get mad at you. So you bite the bullet, drive out there and find out that they were a complete waste of your time. No, thanks. My commissions have already been cut to the point of no return.

what about the idiot agents who call your cell 5 times in a row and dont leave a message...they think that they will get better results that way?

if i dont answer, leave a message.

if you dont leave a message, you should not expect to be called back


i actually do return every single missed call, but it annoys me that people dont have the decency to leave a message.

Because I have to have a Matt Martin rider on my signs, I constantly get, "Is Matt Martin there?" then I have to explain the rider (if only they'd get OUT of their car and READ it).

I don't pick up the phone if caller I.D. says "unknown number". Usually a sales person trying to sell me something although there are some big franchises whose number appears like that - still don't answer. If it's important, they can leave a voicemail message.

I may not answer the phone this Saturday and I am definitely letting everything roll into voicemail this Sunday and will check voicemail periodically, FYI, in case you call me.

I hate my phone, it rings constantly, 7:30 am - 9:30 pm, people think they can call at all times of the day and night.. it's 12/22 and people are still calling me.. hell people it's Christmas time are you really trying to buy or sell real estate 3 days before Christmas, call me after new years..

btw, I also hate agents who don't answer or return calls. When I'm not in the mood to answer/return I just put it on silent or another room until a set time, like 5 or 6pm and then return all calls at that point. I think that is how we should handle it when it gets to be too much, honestly, my phone rings for a business matter 4-12x day every day, 7 days a week, easter/thanksgiving/christmas excluded..but probably 360 days a year it rings 4-12x day.. everyone needs some time off.. but some people decide to take forever off.. usually reo listing agents & part time agents but.. whatever

My ringer is a cow mooing. Its fun and my phone no longer irritates me. I do ask on my voice mail for people to email me for a faster response. I do respond asap to an email, but I can not always answer my phone since I am usually on it. If you leave a voice mail - details please - I am not calling someone back who says this is so and so call me.

There is a local job service that has a number with 2 numbers transposed from our number. So we get a lot of calls about 'this or that' job in the paper. I want to say 'the first requirement for the job is DIALING THE RIGHT NUMBER!'
My wife often says cannot help them with the job but are they interested in buying or selling a home? People looking for jobs are not the best prospects...

It isn't just NOT answering the phones...how about the agent who talks so fast that you can't understand a word they said and you have to ask them to repeat it? And, then, you have to ask them to S-L-O-W down. And, I have to tell them that they've heard their name and their company's name a million times, but, this is the FIRST time I'm hearing it, so, S-L-O-W down.

Then there's "Kathy" from Century 21. Don't you have a last name because I'm SURE there are probably 1,000 Kathys at Century 21)?

Then there are the agents who just call and say they want the combo code...and me, I have to politely ask, "Who am I talking to?"

Well, I know who I'm talking to.... I'm talking to agents who haven't the slightest clue about phone etiquette and professionlism.

We make it a point to answer our phones. It's true that a great majority of realtors don't. It's beyond me why however, as there are so many missed opportunities.

Nice post. New investors start their businesses by overwhelming and hire such agents who even do not realize the sensitivity of their work so this causes the mismanagement and people simply deprive from them only for this lack.