As I traveled past a well established real estate brokerage today, I was strangely amused at something I had seen countless other times with little or no reaction. A sandwich board on a sidewalk read “Agent on Duty.” At some time in every firm’s past, it has probably displayed a similar sign, notifying passers-by that there is a real estate sales person inside that building. However, today that tickled my funny bone. The “Agent on Duty” sign seems redundant, doesn’t it? After all, assuming that the firm’s doors are unlocked, a buyer or seller paying a visit would hope to find an agent inside. By placing notice beside a public street that there are agents inside, the firm is acknowledging the age old stereotype that agents are always playing golf at the country club or relaxing by the pool drinking apple martinis. However, we know it simply not true if an “Agent on Duty” sign is parked outside. Can you imagine entering a restaurant and asking the hostess if wait staff and cooks are inside? Go to the grocery store, and before shopping, ask the customer service manager if cashiers are on duty. If I were a buyer and seller looking for real estate service, I would be less angry if the doors were locked than if the doors were unlocked but no agents were on duty. Thank goodness there will always be signs to clear up the confusion.
14 Jan
