This morning, @bnix and I were standing in-line ordering coffee; I was searching for the BOGO coupon, and we both were accessing the free wifi at Carribou. As I ordered my Medium “Coffee of the Day” and noticed that the menu overhead was much easier to read than Starbuck’s, the idea of comparing Real Estate Agents to Coffee Houses came to me.
I asked, “What kind of agent am I?” Do my clients see me as straightforward and no frills; or is it that I provide a great value and creative/comfortable service; or is it because I am the Big Brand of success, imperfections and all. I admit, the answer to my question is of little or no national importance but it does beg the question: What kind of agent do you want to be? Clients: What type of agent are you looking for?
Agent Dunkin
Client: “I’ll take a Medium Coffee and a Cake Donut.”
Agent: “That’ll be $2.50, please.”
Client: “Thanks. Do you have Wifi here?”
Agent: “No. In order to keep our prices as low as possible, we need to make it up in volume. Can’t have folks sitting around here for hours takin’ up the booths. You understand, right?”
Client: “Uh huh? Pretty Basic but I get it.”
Agent Carribou
Client: “I’ll take a Medium Coffee of the Day and a Blueberry Muffin.”
Agent: “Thank you. That’ll be $4.18, sir.”
Client: “Do you have Wifi here?”
Agent: “Absolutely. It’s Free. Just go to your browser to access the web. Feel free to sit and work at our tables inside or on the patio.”
Client: “Awesome. Very convenient, yet practical. Thanks.”
Agent Starbucks
Client: “I’ll have a Venti Cinnamon Dolce Latte Skinny with Sugar-Free Syrup and a Marionberry Scone.”
Agent: “That’ll be a Venti Cinnamon Dolce Latte Skinny with Sugar-Free Syrup and a Marionberry Scone?”
Client: “Yes. Thank You. Do you have free Wifi in the store?”
Agent: “Well that depends. We have Complimentary Wi-Fi for Starbucks customers…when you register your Starbucks Card and use it at least once a month…you’ll receive two consecutive hours a day of complimentary Wi-Fi, courtesy of AT&T; Or, complimentary Wi-Fi for AT&T DSL customers because AT&Ts more than 12 million DSL customers already qualify for free Wi-Fi at their neighborhood Starbucks; Or, all other customers can receive two consecutive hours of Wi-Fi access for $3.99. Either way, you can use any of our couches, loungers, or cushy chairs to conduct business at you leisure, either inside or on the patio.
Oh, by the way. You can download music through a free Wifi sponsored by iTunes. Normal song prices apply. Unless you purchase the song of the week by using the promo code on this card.”
Client: “Uhh…OK…Uhh…Sounds Great! I think. Not sure what just happened but my head hurts, must need caffeine. How much do I owe you?”
Agent: “My apologies sir. That will be $6.84. Thank You for visiting Starbuck’s.”
Just for Fun
I am “Not” knocking any particular agents, brokers, or brands; just having some fun with expectations and delivery. After all, if your home sells quickly and at a price you are satisfied with, comparatively speaking, almost any coffee and carbs will do, right?
Best regards,
I. B. Carribou
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