Forgetting a Past Client

I do a pretty good job of remembering my past clients, but once in awhile, a transaction occurs and I don't have a lot of face-to-face time with folks and boy is it embarrassing when I don't remember a client!

One of my most embarrassing moments was when I ran into a client at HEB and didn’t know who she was. That’s right. As we chatted, it was clear she knew me, but I couldn’t place her. I finally had to just fess up and said “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember who you are.” She looked a bit puzzled, gave me her name and reminded me that I helped her and her husband buy a home less than a year before. Ouch. In my defense, they flew in to Austin and I met them briefly Friday morning before I left town. My licensed assistant showed them homes then I spoke with them on the phone about the offer, which my assistant put together. They flew home, then we did inspections without them and they closed remotely. We emailed a lot and talked on the phone, but I didn’t remember what she looked like. So, yeah, a bit embarrassing to meet a client and not only fail to remember her name, but also the simple fact, that she was a client. I remember her now. And she wasn’t so put off – not only did she refer her sister to me, but she’s now looking for a bigger home for her family.