Some of the most beautiful glass chandeliers in the world are made on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. But if you touch the glass, even for a moment, salesmen come running to ask if you have questions and will try to sell you a chandelier. The trick is to not let them see you touch it. Don't even think about poking a string of glass to watch it spin and sparkle unless you're prepared to listen to a high pressured sales pitch. Some salesman are all the same, no matter where you go. Except for Tom and me.
I was thinking about that yesterday as I waited in the office of Tom Stephens Mercedes Service Center in East Sacramento. Tom displays Murano glass vases in his bookcase. His service center is spotless and one could practically eat off his floor. The waiting area is decorated with hanging plants, flowers and a water feature. Tom Stephens is not your usual Mercedes mechanic. He has a passion for Mercedes, superior customer service and it shows. He's dedicated to his job.
In fact, I'd say there are parallels to the way I feel about real estate and the way Tom Stephens feels about Mercedes service. If Tom finds something wrong with my car, he goes to great lengths to explain the problem, show me the parts -- that plastic doohickey costs $1,000? -- but he fixes it, and generally at a cost that is more reasonable than that which is charged by the Mercedes dealership in Sacramento. I trust him. He takes care of me.
A few years ago, my car died on K Street at a traffic light. It was idling, and then it stopped. After turning the key in the ignition for a couple of minutes, it finally started again. I googled the issue and found a message board where I left a post. Then I took the car to Tom Stephens. He researched it and found the problem. It was a K40 relay. He replaced it. Problem solved. A few years later, I received an email out of the blue from the Mercedes online forum. Some guy in Sacramento had the same problem with his car. I suggested he take it to Tom Stephens and get his K40 dealiebop replaced.
Tom has more than 40 years of experience working on Mercedes, 25 of which were at the dealership. He cares deeply about his customers and the vehicles he maintains. If you want to talk shop about Mercedes, Tom will talk your ear off. That's the kinda guy he is. You get the straight deal from him. I feel the same way about real estate and Sacramento short sales, too. I can talk about real estate all day long and often do. My clients come first. They are the reason for my success over the past 35 years, and I never forget it.
Tom answers his phone when it rings. So do I. He puts his client's needs first. Ditto. Sometimes he works until 10 PM; he's obsessed with the business. His experience and dedication pays off for his customers. I believe that my clients know how much I love my job -- that's why I get up at 5 AM to write about it. People who are good at their jobs generally love them. We're problem solvers, Tom and me. Well, that, and we both appreciate the beauty of Murano glass.
Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub
---
Certified HAFA Specialist
My Sacramento Real Estate Listings
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available at Amazon.com.
Lyon Real Estate is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.
Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.
The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.
Disclaimer: If this post contains a listing, information is deemed reliable as of the date it was written. After that date, the listing may be sold, listed by another brokerage, canceled, pending or taken temporarily off the market, and the price could change without notice. It could blow up, explode or vanish. To find out the present status of any listing, please go to elizabethweintraub.com.
Elizabeth, it is always nice when we find a person as passionate about their job and our needs as we are about our jobs and our clients needs.
When the salesmen in Murano figured out I wasn't going to spend $1800 on candle stick holders, they sent me down to the bargain basement where I found a beautiful vase for $280. Yes, they really pressure you into a sale ... all while you worry about how you are going to get off that island (I was dropped off, courtesy of the hotel). It is nice to have a car dealer, electrician, plumber, CPA, attorney you can trust. And it is so refreshing to find someone who LOVES their job, as we see too many every day who don't.
Nice testimonial! I have been to Murano, it was fun getting there and being there. Saw you in the Sac Bee this week about your TV appearance. Keep it up you are fun to watch.
Elizabeth...I really enjoyed the tour of the Murano Glass Works. You can find some beautiful (and expensive) pieces there. I ended up getting large fish figurine which had some type of flaw (I couldn't tell) at a very good price. Their sales techniques are pretty high pressure. Having a service professional who is as committed to you as you are to your clients is truly wonderful.
I'll betcha Tom loves the way you've bragged about him in this blog and it is nice of you to do it!! I hope you get a discount off your next Mercedes.
Hi Heather: People who care about their jobs tend to excel at their jobs. I recognize dedication when I see it, and Tom is definitely passionate about servicing Mercedes.
Hey Cynthia: Yeah, those Murano glass sales guys are really high pressure. They're over all you like flies.
Hi Robert: Well you get publicity where you can these days. :)
Hi Carra: I ended up buying a cat figurine. It wasn't very expensive, maybe $30. No $2,000 chandeliers for me. Pretty as they are, they'd look goofy in my home.
Hi Barbara; Tom doesn't sell Mercedes, he just fixes them. But he always treats me well, and that's why I go to him.
What a nice testimonial Elizabeth. I've often wondered why anyone uses high pressure sales tactics? I guess they must work in the short term or people wouldn't use them...but repeat business and long term relationships are not borne of the arm twist :-)