What's Your Email Address? "Oh...We're Not Computer People".

Andrew, I've run into the same situation a few times when I want to send out a package and ask for their email address. The response I gotten is, "Can you mail it to me?"

Taught my mother how to use a computer at 82 and she loved it. Unfortunately she only got to use it for a short time, but it helped with the last days.

We deal with many senior citizens who don't seem to use email let a lone the Internet. They have had me fax or mail them properties. One time I had to go back to the old days and fed ex a contract back and forth with changes...cost me a bundle. One time I actually had to fly the contract into town...luckily I was going there. I'v had people who don't even own a PC.

Andrew,

When someone says that they don't use email, I respond that I don't use stamps. In reality, this relationship doesn't work.

Steve

Michael or they ask if you can just fax it...gee you have 40 images, links to videos, maps, surveys, area info you want them to have too but they are not on line.  Nancy...good for your mom!

Steve, as much as you want to show the buyer right now the razzle dazzle promotion you have on the property they inquired about or that you think is a good match, being irritated or saying we can not do business is not the answer either. Shaming them into going on line..or having little patience for someone not computer savvy is not the route to take.  Carefully help them find a grandson with a computer and email address to send to and then back off if they dig in. They will find another broker who says sure, we'll pop you some brochures and a listing sheet right now into that mail box.  You have brochures anyway to promote this and other properties right? We have lots of inquiries from folks surfing at the public library where they are.  Some are computer literate but no on line because they have sold and the computer is packed up as they figure out where they are moving to!

Hi Andrew, I love working with clients who have computers and email addresses.  It's so much easier to put listings in front of them via a portal.  However, I do have people who do not use them, don't understand them, and don't want anything to do with them.  Fortunately, there aren't many who aren't connected.  For those who do not have the technology, I resort to some "old fashioned" tactics of printing out listings for them and mailing them for their review.  When we do get together to look at a home I also have more print outs for them.  It's not the best bay to conduct business in a contemporary society but then you have to work with your clients in the best way possible.

I have actually helped a few clients set up there emails or even shown them how to surf the web for property's. More are learning everyday!

Some people don't want to go through the bother of learning something new or seemingly complicated. Maybe they are just comfortable living the way they have been living and don't want to go changing things now.

Others say they are afraid they might break the computer. I've dropped mine down the steps twice and its still ticking along...with a few extra screws here and there though. ha ha

I've trained many people who were new to computers or had very limited experience in the past and have found that some people just seem to resist learning it while others seem to enjoy all of the new things they can do with it.

Best of luck to all of you working with the newbies.

A~

Mail, mail, mail...it's worth it when they see the "effort" that you put in to getting your material to THEM. It's "old-school" and it's how THEY do things. And it's something that they can "share" with their other "old-school" friends who don't do e-mail either! Good luck to you.

If everyone treats the buyer that is not on line like a dinosaur, the broker who says no problem without giving them a complex or blowing them off, will make the sale.  That broker accepts them, works with them on their terms (limitations) and so what..a few stamps to make the sale.  Your seller appreciates it too! Make the effort, provide the service the way the buyer wants.  They are happy with what you send..and maybe the missing video, the smaller image count does not matter to them..give them something to make them take the tour and make the trip to see! Rebecca..you have the right attitude on this one!

Some people are not techno savy. So you have to be able to reach them by whatever means. I lave snail mailed listings to a prospective buyer. she was frusterated because no body else would. THat 42 cent stamp, made for a $229K close. Just do it!

Betina

It is difficult when encountering a client who does not use a computer -- there are things it is hard to send in the mail such as virtual tours, video and web sites.

Bob/Carolin, It is more difficult as you are set up for cyber speed operation, but you still have to have a default mode for these "non computer people as some term themselves. Ask nicely if their neighbor is on line, their son or daughter, etc.  Heck, we have burned to cd a full blown propaganda package and mailed it to them to play on the next computer they find in their travels.  One was enjoyed at a motel office model that helped decide to turn the wagon north to Maine to look over the property here.  Would have outright lost them all together if had simply treated them like dinosaurs in the techno age! Not everyone is on line, don't miss that audience. Not your primary target but when agents complain about market, etc...and then whine about folks that are not on light...they should have a big "Out Of Order" placard hung around their neck!