About a month into this...
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Apartment shops have never been of much interest to me, so I just haven't done them much. But they are no better or worse than any other experience. Have you ever looked for an apartment for yourself (or a house on the new home shops)? It is the same thing except this time you are the observer, though you are still pretending to be the observed.
If you have bought a car you are familiar with car shopping, hard selling salesmen, negotiating a price and all that. I don't mind haggling, though not all folks are comfortable with it. What I don't like is the endless follow up phone calls even after you told them you bought something else.
We all find our niche of the shops that are within our comfort zone. It keeps things lively to occasionally take something outside the comfort zone and perhaps find a new set/series of shops that can be in our comfort zone. Just don't go too many directions at once because it can get overwhelming. I still try to find a couple of potentially interesting 'new to me' shops each month and that is also how we learn what shops we just can't stomach.
If you have bought a car you are familiar with car shopping, hard selling salesmen, negotiating a price and all that. I don't mind haggling, though not all folks are comfortable with it. What I don't like is the endless follow up phone calls even after you told them you bought something else.
We all find our niche of the shops that are within our comfort zone. It keeps things lively to occasionally take something outside the comfort zone and perhaps find a new set/series of shops that can be in our comfort zone. Just don't go too many directions at once because it can get overwhelming. I still try to find a couple of potentially interesting 'new to me' shops each month and that is also how we learn what shops we just can't stomach.
Apartment and car shops are among the highest paying shops, per hour. There's no purchase necessary, either! Onsite, I'm out in under 45 minutes.
This week, I've shopped apartments. 2 bedroom, 2 bath. One location rented for $700 per month, and the other rented for $2010 per month! 6 miles apart. The report is the same, but the onsite visit is eye-opening.
Car shops are similar, but can take more time on site. It's kind of fun wheeling and dealing for the best price for a vehicle you have no intention of buying. And, it's definitely good practice for when you are ready to buy.
I have no complaints with follow up. Most reports have a section dealing with the lease agent or salesperson follow up. I either let that call go to voice mail, or provide an email address, if allowed. I have very rarely found that such calls are relentless. If so, I would actually answer the phone and relay that I rented an apartment, or purchased a vehicle, elsewhere.
A helpful hint is to add the incoming telephone number into your cell's contacts. That way, it will be ID'd, when it's incoming.
This week, I've shopped apartments. 2 bedroom, 2 bath. One location rented for $700 per month, and the other rented for $2010 per month! 6 miles apart. The report is the same, but the onsite visit is eye-opening.
Car shops are similar, but can take more time on site. It's kind of fun wheeling and dealing for the best price for a vehicle you have no intention of buying. And, it's definitely good practice for when you are ready to buy.
I have no complaints with follow up. Most reports have a section dealing with the lease agent or salesperson follow up. I either let that call go to voice mail, or provide an email address, if allowed. I have very rarely found that such calls are relentless. If so, I would actually answer the phone and relay that I rented an apartment, or purchased a vehicle, elsewhere.
A helpful hint is to add the incoming telephone number into your cell's contacts. That way, it will be ID'd, when it's incoming.
Apartment shop warning- you most likely WILL have to leave your ID in the office. You will have no control over if it is copied or seen by others. Just an FYI!
Thanks everyone for your input, as always it is really appreciated!
I have done hundreds of apartment shops. they run from 7 minutes to 45 minutes on site. I have never had any problem with my personal info being spread beyond the rental office. However, I prefer to leave my passport, rather than my driving license, since the passport has no address and there are federal laws about misuse of a passport.
Auto shops vary widely. I did a dozen in the NYC area for a single dealer (multi-location) that apparently hired the world's most agressive sales force. Others, not so much.
For follow-up I use a Voicenation phone number that forwards the recording to my email. So, I never speak to the sales person after the shop. Also, I can just forward the FU message to the MSC by email if they require the exact text of the message.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/20/2011 03:27PM by walesmaven.
Auto shops vary widely. I did a dozen in the NYC area for a single dealer (multi-location) that apparently hired the world's most agressive sales force. Others, not so much.
For follow-up I use a Voicenation phone number that forwards the recording to my email. So, I never speak to the sales person after the shop. Also, I can just forward the FU message to the MSC by email if they require the exact text of the message.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/20/2011 03:27PM by walesmaven.
Passports have advantages true. But play the other side of the fence. For security purposes the apartment needs to keep track for security purposes of who was touring their buildings, just in case...... (Personal Security and not regarding a pass or fail shopping report) . Once you leave that license or passport and are touring you have no control of what is copied. They should not photocopy but can you prove it, no. Just an FYI, nothing more. This goes for apts and autos too. Just last week I read in our paper of a high class store "losing" four autos overnight. The press reported the police were able to track the last month who had taken a test drive.
Makes you wonder how they had that info? Most likely that photocopy of your license.
Makes you wonder how they had that info? Most likely that photocopy of your license.
When you do a test drive, the dealership has to make a copy of your license or their insurance carrier will not cover any accidents. It is for apartment shops that I use the passport. sorry for the misstatement.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Julian, are you one and the same that was in Chiloptle trainig with me?
I have done a dozen apartments, and find them to be o.k., actually a learning experience. You will need to leave your drivers license, but I've never had a problem, always returned and I'm fine with it, a tip, check locations, and don't go into bad areas. These pay well, and if you've rented in the past, you can do it. Being a homeowner always, it is amazing the prices of renting. I always leave very happy I'm a homeowner.
p.s. thanks for the pm...I guess now we're in a race to see who gets Valencia first...lol.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2011 04:57PM by Irene_L.A..
I have done a dozen apartments, and find them to be o.k., actually a learning experience. You will need to leave your drivers license, but I've never had a problem, always returned and I'm fine with it, a tip, check locations, and don't go into bad areas. These pay well, and if you've rented in the past, you can do it. Being a homeowner always, it is amazing the prices of renting. I always leave very happy I'm a homeowner.
p.s. thanks for the pm...I guess now we're in a race to see who gets Valencia first...lol.
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2011 04:57PM by Irene_L.A..
Oh, I didn't even realize all these additional replies were here, lol. I guess I did not check the little box to notify me. Yeah, the apartments shops pay pretty decently. I may try one to see how I like it. I've also been a homeowner for many years too, but I'm sure I can "play" the role! 
Irene...I know, it's crazy what people pay for rent here in L.A.!
Irene...I know, it's crazy what people pay for rent here in L.A.!
Car shops can be fun if you plan it ahead of time. Usually theMSC will tell you who manafacturer is and then you can pick out the type of vehicle you want. You can also make up a good story about your finaces and who you and you better half work for. What ype of vehicle you will betrading in etc. They may even want you to take a test drive. When they get to the part about buying just use the I need a rough estomatye of waht we have been talking about to show my Better half. That will usually will get you back out the door. Some MSC want you to set up a follow up with the dealer. However you won't make contact back to that dealer.
Be very carefull to read the shop instructions. for many of them, stating that you have to consult another decisionmaker will invalidate the shop. Usually you are told to portray yourself as the sole decisionmaker.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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