I work in a small-town environment, on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Everyone knows everyone. Especially the real estate agents. I've been practicing here for about 14 years. I take out numerous top-of-mind awareness ads. My slogans are "It's Wendy... It's Sold!" and "Everyone Knows... It's Wendy!" Believe me, the other real estate agents know who I am.
About two years ago I opened my own real estate company, Rulnick Realty, in Destin Florida. I left another national franchise where I was associated for 12 years. Today I heard from one of my clients, who is not internet savvy and thought I was still at the other company. She called there looking for me. They told her "She doesn't work here." She asked, "Do you know where she is now?" They said, "No, but can we help you?"
It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Short Sale Pre Foreclosure Help.
Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email itswendy@rulnickrealty.com
Wendy Rulnick specializes in real estate sales, short sales, traditional sales on Emerald Coast of Florida: Destin Florida real estate, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Dune Allen, Blue Mountain Beach, Freeport, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. Wendy Rulnick, Broker and Realtor, has been selling real estate for almost 20 years. She has won numerous awards, including the coveted ADDY for advertising design. An expert marketer of real estate listings, she negotiates successfully to her dients' advantage. She is supported by a team of top buyer specialists. She lists and sells homes, condos and townhomes.
All Rights Reserved. "She No Longer Works Here, May We Help You?" Contact Wendy Rulnick regarding Destin Florida real estate and vicinity. Copyright © 2008 by Wendy Rulnick.This site, Wendy Rulnick or Rulnick Realty, Inc. is not providing legal or tax advice. The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. It is recommended that sellers considering a short sale should consult an independent legal and tax advisor for more information
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Shoot Wendy ! Even I know you're slogan and who you are! And I am across the country! Guess they're a little scared of competing with you so they feign ignorance.... doesn't sound like a very reputable thing for them....what goes around comes around! I am glad she found you and tracked you down!
How rude! I hope you called your old office and gave them a piece of your mind!
Welcome to the ugly cold world. That is the way it is. This is how you seperate your friends that you work with from aquaintainces
I had the same kind of thing happen about 8 years ago. I left a company where we all had one direct phone line. The number was reassigned to someone who had recently joined the company.
He told everyone I had left the business and the area. I called the broker (he was still a friend) and the broken reamed him a new one.
Too funny Wendy. You're right...everyone here knows who you are....but you also had to expect that when they call the other office that would be the result. Sad but true.
Talk soon.
Wendy, I know that some other companies say, in similiar situations, "I am really not sure if they are even still in real estate, but we can help you!" How sad.
Wendy, I was with another RE/MAX office for 12 years. When I left, an old client called there looking for me. Someone I knew very well (I had helped train her), told the client that she didn't think I was in the business anymore. Fortunately, the client tracked me down and told me the story. Really upset me. My son, who was 11 at the time, told me that I should call Aunt *#%%^ (that's how close we had been... he referred to her as Aunt) and let her know how I felt. So I suggested an email. He told me I was a chicken... so I had to call. She backpedaled and hemmed and hawed but didn't apologize. I ended it with telling her that I hoped she and her children were well and that I would never have done that to her. Sad how some people can be.
Wendy,
*shaking my head Guess I am not surprised, but saddened by it. BTW, you live in a beautiful area! I called Tampa/St. Pete home for years and had the pleasure if visiting your corner of the world on more than one occasion.
Have a great day!
Valerie - Yes, she actually called the other "two" franchise branches, same thing! Nice, huh?
Donna - I thought about it!
Charlie - Interestingly, I would not do the same thing were the situation reversed!
Innovations - Cool. That's what should have happened. You've got to respect him for that.
Casey - Thanks for commenting, and knowing who I am!
Rich - I couldn't live with myself. It's just lying.
When the income is down, the true character of people comes to the surface. Sometimes it is cream and sometimes it is scum.
My broker and I left a big box company in July. I took down all my emails and wrote most of them, but, yet, this continues to occur. I know that they regretted our leaving and, at the time, acted as if they would treat our move with integrity. Sadly, that was not the case. It was an unfortunate outcome for all concerned. The old brokerage and to a lesser degree, us. But, as mentioned above its' a dog eat dog world. Or in this case, a snake. We have lessons to learn. Apparently, you cannot trust people you work with, eat with, share life's ups and downs with. Sad, but true. My advice is to let it lie. They will get their just dues in the end. And, as we believe and did, it will come back to get them. People have a way of finding out if you have integrity or not. Sometimes, it just comes down to price...but we don't want to work with them anyway if that's all they care about. After all, our motto is Moving In Excellence. You'll be great no matter what. And they'll be who they are.
Susan - Good for you. Are they desperate, greedy or both?
Geri - Thank you. Knock on my door when you come visit! Miramar Plaza, Destin!
It is a dog eat dog world out there. Sad that some Realtors are so greedy
Don't feel bad, I worked in a place once and when people called for me after I left someone told them I died. I don't know if that was wishful thinking, but that was mean. Person does that will cut you, they'll steal your dog, they'll even eat the last piece of pie at the picnic.
Sharon - Where's the ethics?
Bill - That's hysterical!
Heath - Good analogy.
Suzanne - Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement.
Wendy - did that agent not know that in a small town it would get back to you? Karma is waitng for that agent.
Like Robin said---and what goes around comes around. Those "They don't work here anymore" are getting more common though as many agents leave the field.
Robin - I know it is.
Charles - Yes, I agree.
Wendy, From an office stand point if the client was generated while you worked there, that office had cost associated with a past transaction, and like it or hate it. If there phone rang they will try to convert the client into theirs, it's tough out there.
Hi Steve - I cannot imagine myself saying I had no idea where one of my former staff went- when in fact I did. I wouldn't do it.
Ethics, people, ethics! If a call comes for a realtor who has left our company, I always let the caller know where to find that person or giving the agents cell phone number if I remember it. Once I even helped to physically track down one of these agents for a distant relative calling about a family emergency.
We do occasionally get calls for two long-time, well-known realtors who have actually retired. I let the caller know they have retired and ask if I can help, but I still offer to pass a message on to the retired realtor if the caller would like.
Your blog was "Wendyful" to say the least. I work in a small agency and only give my cell phone number out. The agency number is on signs and such but I only get calls on my cell.
Keep on bloggin'
This is common practice with brokers and we need to let our clients know when we leave so that they can find us when they need us!
Brenda - That is the way it should be done. How refreshing!
Tony - That's smart. Thanks for the Wendyful comment, too!
Hello Wendy - There a universal law that you reap what you sow - 10 fold - Consumers can read through that shallow attempt at service and intent to steal clients.....we've had people tell us the same after leaving one office for another and their 1st call was to our old office - PEOPLE not Companies make clients come back for repeat business and our clients politely said no thank you - we will find them on the net (and they did) - FIDO ( Forget it and drive on), build your business better:)
Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving
Sincerely,
Grace
Wendy , A follow up: I wasn't trying to imply that the tactic was right, just understandable that desperation breeds bad behavior. You strike me as an Icon in your area, I'm sure people will continue to find you.. Have A busy Weekend, and a nice Thanksgiving. Steve
Steve - I gotcha' I know you weren't endorsing it, just stating the behavior occurs. I told my husband about it this morning, he just shook his head incredulously! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Grace - Right on about the "shallow attempt". Nicely stated.
Wendy, what goes round comes round. I was told in my first real estate job not to give a caller past employee info. I did it anyway and have actually received kudos for it. I want to be a great real estate agent, and part of that is being up front and honest. I enjoyed this post.
Laura - Thanks. I really feel like emailing the ex-company and telling them I am two miles down the road, in case they needed to reach me :) But I won't.