My Preferred Vendor List and Referral System Basics 101
I maintain a list of my Preferred Vendors on my web site for the convenience of my clients when they are preparing their midtown Tulsa home for sale. If they need a reference for someone to refinish their hardwood floors, paint a dining room or repair drywall, they can find all of those contacts on my Preferred Vendor list.
Realtors are asked for recommendations for repair people and service personnel all the time. Perhaps because we network so much, we are considered trustworthy professionals who keep up to date with this type of information.I keep this list available and updated on my web site and my clients and those who read my blog refer to it constantly.
Occasionally someone will drop me a note and let me know that they were pleased with the service or quality of work of someone listed, which obviously makes me want to refer them more.
A few months ago I received an e-mail from someone I did not know who was DISPLEASED with someone on my list. He explained in detail what he was unhappy about, told me that this vendor would not rectify his problems and wanted to make me aware of the situation since I listed him as a reliable resource. It had been a few years since I used this vendor, so I gave him a call. When he didn't return MY call, he was removed immediately from my list.
My Preferred Vendor List and Referral System Basics 101
People, Realtors included, love to recommend those with whom we've had a good experience. But let us down just ONCE, and you will have little chance of redeeming yourself.
Referrals are often the life-line of a Realtor's business. When someone refers me to a friend wanting to buy or sell a home in midtown Tulsa, I want to thank them for their referral by providing the most professional and reliable service possible. I expect the same professional courtesy from vendors I recommend.
My promise to you is that I will do what I say I'll do -- sometimes more, but never less.
Lori is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors serving the greater Tulsa area, and specializing in midtown Tulsa real estate. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.
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Lori is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors serving the greater Tulsa area and specializing in downtown Tulsa and midtown Tulsa real estate.
What a great value added service to offer your clients. Thanks for sharing a great idea.
Hi Lori,
Good work and I'm with you on this one.
In my office we have what we call our "resource list", very similar to yours. Each vendor it noted with the date of entryand the agent that used that vendor. That way when we have multiple people, i.e. roofers, painters, we can call our fellow agent if necessary.
And I really like your idea of making sure if someone is NOT satisfied, they let us know! Sound easy, yet I'm not so sure we emphasize that enough. Like you, personal referrals are the life-blood of our business, especially though all the thick-and-thin years.
In this day and age it is amazing that this person did not provide excellent customer service. Lucky you heard about it otherwise someone else using your list might have had the same experience.
Lori: It's dissapointing and embarrasing when a referred partner lets a client down. Often it's a the sign of a storm clud on the horizon.
Excellent advise! Referrals are wonderful and we keep up real good with the wonderful folks who refer us! They are super people. Too bad about the vendor that didn't make it right...some of them just don't get it!
-Susan
I don't really have any way of knowing how many people use my Preferred Vendor list, but I know it's quite high. Why in the world someone would not provide excellent service period (much less to remain on my list) is just inexusable.
Lori, I totally agree with you! I always prepare people who use recommended vendors for that one time that the vendor may not perform to high standards. I also encourage clients to let me know if the vendor did a good job!
This is a great service to your customers and clients.
Lori - Thank you for sharing a very good vendor list.
To be thruthful, I built this to save me time. My clients know to go there before calling me! I just didn't expect people reading my blog to use it as well. Those we recommend REFLECT on us, so it's imperative to have top-notch professional partners!
When is your Referral Basics 102 coming out? I'm waiting for the next installment.
Lori this is an excellent post of building vendor referal list. I too have had one for years. If I get a bad report they'e off the ist. Simple as that.
Feartured in BananaTude
Karen - Referral Basics 102? Excellent idea! I'll write a post on how to get ON a good referral list!
Anna - thank you so much!!
Lori.....Very good information about a preferred vendor list. I believe that referral to a vendor must be as important to them as a referral we receive is to us. If not, they're off the list!
Lori, That's a great idea, I ought to do the same.
Building lists of vendors and partners who offer exceptional service can bring tremndous value to a Realtor or other real estate professional. Great that you have a page on your website to explain things.
Having that list on my web site is a real time-saver! Clients and friends will check there first before calling or e-mailing me!
This is a great idea to have on your website! I have just emailed my IT guru to incorporate one into mine! Hey, and if I feature someone on my website, maybe they will feature me on theirs!