Service These Days

My wife and I have commented over the last few years how service in just about any industry in America has steadily gone downhill. For example, you go to a restaurant or fast food joint and order your meal, and either the order is wrong, it takes forever, its cold when it arrives, the server has an attitude, or a combination of things. Another example is calling up companies or doctor's offices or whatever, and come away from the conversation like you aren't a customer, but rather a bother to them. Going one step further, we've even called companies and either been put on hold forever or get a voice mailbox - and even when we leave a message, we get no return call!

It just amazes me that service these days has digressed to a point where I, the customer, feel that these people are doing me a favor instead of vice-versa. My connection to this rant and REI is this ...

In January, I found an FSBO and gathered as much info as I could about it. I found a local investor via a free weekly local paper. The ad had a phone number and web site. I called the phone number and got a voicemail system. I decided to try the web site, and left my info. The investor returned my email a couple days later, and, in turn, I sent him the info on the FSBO. A few days later, I get a reply from the investor thanking me. I email him back asking some questions. No response. A couple weeks later, I get a $5 check in the mail for my referral, but still no response from my questions. I send him another email, asking some more questions. No response.

The latest example is this local senior loan officer I've been trying to contact that my RE agent referred me to. I sent him an email last week, and got a response almost immediately, asking me to call him to set up a meeting. I called three times last Friday, and he was either on the line or away from his desk. Then yesterday (Monday), I called and he was on the phone again. This time I left him my name, home phone, and a brief message. I thought I would have a message from him on my answering machine - or at least an indication that he called (I have caller ID) - but when I got home, I got nothing. I checked my email this morning, and nothing there either.

It just fathoms me how people do (and stay in) business. Or, maybe I'm just unlucky in this area. Here I am offering my services and money, yet no one wants to come to the table. I'm just at a loss.

I will say that I sent an email to an HML in Dallas, and he responded promptly. His company is DHLC Investments. His rates look pretty good for a hard money lender, and I would definately like to do business with him in the future.