A short Rant

[Mike Phillips]

Two issues I didn't see mentioned in the OP's conversation are: (1) how does he get paid and (2) when did the client need the report.

If the client had delivered the magic answers, (1) COD and (2) 2-3 business days, chances are I would have found some time in my Friday (late afternoon to early evening) schedule to see the property. In my case, I have nothing this weekend. If I had a conflict I would have countered with "how about Saturday morning?"

Obviously other issues would have been important: (1) cookie cutter or ball buster, (2) predeterminded value or "it is what it is."

Sorry, I'm pretty flexible when it comes to servicing the client's inspection times. It is all the other BS I can't handle.

 

[Renee Healion]

Customer service is fine, but I am with Hal on this.These brokers want to set the appointment to keep their prospects from having time to change their minds. Getting an appraiser, any appraiser, there is just part of eliminating the competition and nailing down the borrower. Coffee for closers and all that.

 

[rescom]

Seems to me that most of the older and more experienced appraisers that have been in this business for quite some time have become spoiled over the years. They want to do inspections based on their convenience and not the homeowners, dictate when they can have the report complete, the minimum that they will charge, and when the person ordering the appraisal doesn't like the appraisers terms, the appraiser goes off and curses the person. Who do you all think you are? There are thousands of appraisers available so naturally they are going to find an appraiser that meets their requirements (and I'm not referring to value).

We're not brain surgeons!

 

[Eli Weiss]

Hal, so you had no value pressure, no $200 fee, and you turned it down in this market?
Wow you should be so proud of yourself...

You got a phone call just asking if you are available at a certain time, the borrower might be a nurse with two shifts and little time available for this inspection, so what? the right way was to quote a higher fee for the rush, and that's it....

Yes, you are a professional and so are all of us, but until you don't have a line of people in front your office begging you to do appraisals, don't act like this....

Too bad, you could have been $350 or so richer....

 

[Ray Miller]

Hello All;

Scenario: Yesterday @ 4:00 PM driving in car, cell rings. "Hello, I am xxxx from xxxxx company. I want to place an order with you" Me "That's fine, I'm in my car, would you please fax it over to me." "Yes, can you keep an evening apt tomorrow (Friday)?" (me thinking to my self...you miserable SOB, I am not your employee, and who the hell are you to schedule for me?)

I told him no, I have plans. Click - hang up by him.

Here's the rant - He had no thought about my quals, E&O, turn time, FHA roster etc. But all he cared about was to lock up the borrower ASAP.

If we don't stand up for ourselves and demand respect we will continue to be treated like serfs.

Regards

Hal

Agreeded. We got to stand up, but how many will???????

 

[Renee Healion]

We are called nutmeggers here (in Hal's state) because wooden nutmegs were passed off as the real thing in the old days. So we are a suspicious sorta state.

I happen to have had a sterling career as a brain surgeon but I opted to chuck it all for appraising because I was sick of having to deal with other people's brains.

 

[Karl]

What's the big deal? He asked IF you would be available. He did not demand that you postpone anyplans....he asked!

Sheesh! What grouches some of you are getting to be!

Mike, we've known Hal for many years through this forum. I'm betting there is more to the story than the "Short" version he posted. I preferred to read between the lines, A Company Hal had never heard from, A guy first words probablly were I NEED an Appraiser that can be there Friday Night.& we pay minimum fees. I am hoping Hal has the long version of the story. find it hard to believe that Hal has dropped his professionlism in the conversation. (Hal has in the past given me very good points on how to deal with clients). But then again, maybe he is just so fed up he too has decided whats the use of being nice??.

I am very nice to my GOOD Clients, but these "Fly by Nights" I too have started taking a new approach. YES!! in todays market we need clients!! BUT in todays market we do NOT need clients that are NOT professional.


Sorry but I think there is more to Hals story.

 

[Ray Miller]

Agreeded. We got to stand up, but how many will???????

Got to add to my post after reading some of the anwers. They don't give a flying leap about you or your business, it all about them. The appraiser is becoming nothing more then a pawn, to be discarded at the will of the lender, borrower, LO, processor.

Bend over and grab your ankles. They drove the fees down, now they want to set the times you make the appointment. They don't want to pay for pre work if the loan or something happen that they can't use the appraisal.

Call you doctor and tell him you will be thier tomorrow morning, call your auto repair shop and tell them you will be by this afternoon. Most people I ask to do something for me tells me when they can be thier.

What happen to Independant Fee Appraiser.

I will continue to set my times for appointments, I will contiune to set my fees.

I also seem to be busy as well.

 

[Mark A Rewbury]

Hello All;

Scenario: Yesterday @ 4:00 PM driving in car, cell rings. "Hello, I am xxxx from xxxxx company. I want to place an order with you" Me "That's fine, I'm in my car, would you please fax it over to me." "Yes, can you keep an evening apt tomorrow (Friday)?" (me thinking to my self...you miserable SOB, I am not your employee, and who the hell are you to schedule for me?)

I told him no, I have plans. Click - hang up by him.

Here's the rant - He had no thought about my quals, E&O, turn time, FHA roster etc. But all he cared about was to lock up the borrower ASAP.

If we don't stand up for ourselves and demand respect we will continue to be treated like serfs.

Regards

Hal

You shouldn't have hung up so soon since the next thing out of his mouth would be...Oh before you go there do a quick comp check, please.

 

[Riick]

Personal Policy - Only I can set the appointment time.
1994-2005 - for a Summertime Saturday/Sunday request:

"Those are our favorite appointment times; I'll look and see what we have open.
"Hummm.... Yes, I have 8 AM open on September 17th - is that good for you?"
.
.