You know, I'm not sure I'm a firm believer in karma, but I do believe in the power of goodness. So, let me share a real-life story that happened to me, and let's see how we can apply this to our appraisal world and the importance of customer service.
For those of you who don't know, I dabble in the short-term rental game (think Airbnb and VRBO). Now, if you think it's all about real estate investing, think again! The short-term rental biz is all about customer service and hospitality. After all, we're competing with hotels that have mastered the art of making their guests feel like royalty.
Now, let me share a recent experience. We had a super cold weekend, flights got canceled, and I had guests who couldn't make it to their booked cabin. What's an Airbnb host to do? Well, according to most folks on online forums, you stick to your cancellation policy like glue. But is that always the right thing to do?
I decided to take a more compassionate approach. I told one of my guests not to worry, and I'd give them a full refund. Crazy, right? Well, guess what? Just 20 minutes later, I got another booking for the same weekend! Sure, it was for a little less money, but that's the power of goodness, folks.
Now, I'm not saying karma works like clockwork, but I do believe that when you focus on being good and compassionate, good things come back to you.
So, how does this apply to our appraisal world? Friends, I know we sometimes deal with less-than-stellar clients and situations, but it's important to stay positive and give as much as you can. While I can't promise that every time you do something good, goodness will be returned, I do know that, in general, if you are good to others, they will be good to you in return.
Check out The Appraiser Coach Podcast for more info on this topic:
