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Rainmaker
1,895,067
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Scratch pads and pens are nice however what I really want is a vendor who is reliable, honest and is looking out for my client's best interests.

Aug 01, 2015 09:01 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Michael Thornton The only people who make money with these items are the people who sell them. Not likely to do business just because they give me a pen.

Aug 02, 2015 12:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Our vendors tend to drop off sweets.  They know where my heart is 

Aug 01, 2015 10:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

We use the useful things (pens, notepads) but it doesn't impact our likeliness of using the vendor in the future.

Aug 01, 2015 10:29 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I use the scratch pads, but I must admit I don't do business with anyone just because they provide pads and pens.

Aug 01, 2015 10:28 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Michael. A complete waste of time and money.

Aug 01, 2015 08:27 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

To do business with them, i need to know them, what they offer, what theior work ethic is, what the cost is and how can it benefit myself or my clients. I hate sales calls but would much rather talk to them in person. For me teh swag i like is the NFL or MLB team calender magnets, always need pens and my favorite was the hand sanitizer.

Aug 01, 2015 08:06 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

the stuff they drop off isn't going to make them my first phone call.... I never use those dropped off items....I call those who have done a good job....

Aug 02, 2015 12:51 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

There is one mortgage company that does have excellent pen's but I do use them.

Aug 01, 2015 11:23 PM
Rainmaker
2,486,205
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

Hey Mike, good question.  I like the free pens.

Aug 01, 2015 10:30 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Those who drop off pens, scratch pads and other junk are demonstrating how very little thought they put into this attempt at growing their business. This suggest to me there will be other areas where little thought is demonstrated also......at the agents expense.

What problem are you solving for me?
If you can not tell me, in a manner that gets my attention, then no solutions I need are being offered. 

I use a pen every day. I NEVER read what is on the pen.

Aug 01, 2015 09:55 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,977
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

sorry Michael - not at all - I don't even know if it is worth it to us to get on the refrigerator with our clients - but stuff from vendors- not at all

Aug 01, 2015 09:32 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Scratch pads and pens work best for me.  I also like for them to leave fliers and business cards.  It keeps them in my mind

Aug 01, 2015 08:22 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Michael -- I appreciate the pens especially as they seem to disappear often.  I don't think it increases the likelihood of my doing business with any particular vendor though.

Aug 02, 2015 12:51 AM
Rainmaker
687,136
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

I love the free stuff and it certainly makes me notice them. It gets their foot in the door. That doesn't mean I'll use them. What do I really like? Key chain USB flash drives. Since they are a little more expensive and I only get one every now and again, they make more of an impression. What do I use most? Pens, but they are all over the place so do not make much of an impression. I almost expect them like from my escrow company, for example.

Aug 02, 2015 12:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

None and not

Aug 01, 2015 11:47 PM
Rainmaker
784,786
The Woodland Team of Texas
The Woodland Companies - Austin, TX
Land Specialists

Use them all the time.

Oct 14, 2018 07:31 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I appreciate the pens, notepads, calendars, and most of the things that are dropped off.

Feb 10, 2018 11:04 PM
Rainmaker
466,778
Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308
Stake Your Land Realty, Inc. - Eustis, FL
Broker/Owner, SFR®, e-PRO®, GRI, AHWD, REALTOR®

Michael,

I appreciate the scratch pads and pens; most are given at educational classes at the board. I do pay attention to their location and services in the event I might need them in the future. 1% chance:)

Aug 08, 2015 01:43 AM
Rainmaker
289,912
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Tchotchkes don't induce me to do business with anyone - but I do enjoy a good "gimme" pen.

Aug 04, 2015 02:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,554,867
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

None  Vendors have no interest in my clienta.  Over the past three + decadesd I have listed many homes with a competitirs calendar on the fridge dooe

Aug 02, 2015 09:06 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I like the scratchpads the best.  Though, I have no intention of doing business with them because they left me a gift.

Aug 02, 2015 05:06 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

I'll use the pens, if they are good I'll use their service but them dropping off stuff does not make me do it!

Aug 02, 2015 03:15 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Very few vendors drop off pens, pads, food and similar marketing materials at my office.  Usually, brochures are dropped off, which are much more useful as they go in my supplier folders.

Aug 02, 2015 02:34 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Michael Thornton - I love the goodies, however, I prefer to work with someone who I have relationship. Now if there is no one in that category, they surely get a chance - so goodies are not wasted for sure.

Aug 02, 2015 01:45 AM