WHY YOU LOST MY BUSINESS...

I don't ask for much from a business that I patronize. Treat me fairly and professionally. So, here's how you lost my business:

• You changed your business hours to something most working people would find hard to accommodate.
• When I showed up during your business hours, you had a sign on the door saying you would be back in 15 minutes.
• You weren't.
• When you did show up, you helped me find the product I was looking for, but then told me you were out of it.

There is an expectancy from the public to the service industry to show consistency and quality.

• Consider that the restaurants you patronize week in and week out are the ones that have consistently good food and service.
• The barber or hair stylist that you are loyal to always give you the result you wanted.
• The employer that you feel loyal to is the one that is consistently fair and appreciative of your work.
• The grocery store that you favor is the one that always has what you are looking for at a price you are expecting.
• The Realtor you use consistently gives you their full attention and represents you well.

Customers only want the service that they have a right to expect. Don't give them a reason to find someone else who will pay attention.

SELLER NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND FLAT FEE, DISCOUNT BROKERAGE PROGRAMS

There are a myriad of service levels a seller can opt into when selling their home, with a payment system to match. There are flat fee commission based services, percentage based commissions, discount/limited service commissions and full service commissions that can vary in percentages, depending on the negotiations that take place between a seller and agent.


Realtors must be very careful in their role in the process, being sure that they perform their fiduciary responsibilities as promised in the Agency Disclosure. Sometimes the line between representing their buyer and a seller who chooses a limited service brokerage can get very blurry.


As an example, we have a buyer who chose to purchase a home which was listed by a limited service, discount brokerage. Our agent brought the sellers their offer (as instructed in the MLS). The sellers didn't know what they were suppose to do if they wanted to counter and were very open about their confusion. Our agents gave them a counter offer form, explaining that she could not advise them on how to complete it without violating agency. They got through that hurdle and the offer and counter were accepted. Required disclosures were another huge hurdle....the sellers didn't have any. Reluctantly, our agent provided the sellers with blank disclosures to complete.


Sellers who do not understand what is required of them present buyers agency with a dilemma. While the agent wants their buyer to get the house, they do not want nor should they do the work of a listing agent or seller. It presents huge liability issues since the agency representation becomes very gray.


Sellers who choose a discount and limited service brokerage need to have an understanding of the responsibilities they take on when doing so. They should not rely on a buyers agent to walk them through the process by default.

We in Land Park are very fortunate to have the Regional Zoo right here in our neighborhood. They are wonderful neighbors and a real asset to our community. They are constantly offering events to promote the zoo, so I thought I would give you an update on the upcoming events you might want to take advantage of.

FEBRUARY
Regular hours begin, now open from 9AM to 4PM.
February 13th - Wildlife Stage Show - 11AM

MARCH
March 6th - Bloomin' Crazy Plant Fest from 9AM - 4PM
March 24th - Summer Camp (Members Only) Registration
March 29th through April 11th (daily) - Zoo P.I.'s Critter Caper - 11AM, Wildlife Stage Show 1:30PM April 13th through September 6th - Wildlife Stage Show Tuesday through Sunday 1:30PM

APRIL
April 3rd - Recycle Rummage Sale 9AM - 4PM
April 3rd - Earth Fest - Party for the Planet 9AM - 4PM
April 30th - ZooZoom 30th Annual Run/Walk 7AM-Noon

MAY
May 1st - California Celebration Multicultural Day and Wildlife Diversity 9AM-4PM
May 3, 10, 17th - Senior Tea and Tours 9:30AM -Noon
May 20th - Swingin' Safari Golf Tournament

JUNE
June 12th and 18th - Family Overnights
June 17th and 24th - Twilight Thursdays Open late until 8PM
June 26th - King of Feasts Food and Wine Fundraiser 5:30PM - 8:30PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)

JULY
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29th - Twilight Thursdays Open late until 8PM
July 2, 10, 16, 31 - Family OvernightsJuly 24th - Ice Cram Safari All you can eat ice cream 4PM - 8PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)

AUGUST
August 7th and 13th - Family OvernightsAugust 12th - Member Evening 5:30 - 8:30

SEPTEMBER
September 10th through October 31st - Wildlife Stage Show 11AM
September 13th and 20th - Senior Tea and Tours -9:30AM - Noon

OCTOBER
October 2nd - Wild Affair Gala, Dinner and Auction 5PM - 10PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)October 18th - Senior Tea and Tours 9:30AM - Noon
October 30th and 31st - Boo at the Zoo 4:30 - 8PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)

NOVEMBER
November 1st - Winter Zoo hours begin 10AM - 4PM
November 6th through February 2011 - Animal Encounters 11AM
November 11th - Veteran's Family Day 50% discount admission with a valid military ID 10AM - 4PM
November TBA - Recycle Rummage Sale 10AM - 4PM
November 25th - Zoo closed - Happy Thanksgiving!

DECEMBER
December - Toys for Tots Bring one unwrapped new toy and receive a free child's admission
December 11th - Holiday Magic - Animal Enrichments 10AM - 4PM
December 24th - Pajama Party at the Zoo Free Day 10AM - 1:30PM (zoo closes early at 1:30PM)December 25th - Zoo closed - Merry Christmas!