I had a closing today at a seller chosen title company (this was a foreclosure). There had been a few bumps along the way but I had been really pleased with the closing processor. She was pleasant and responsive to my questions. She tried to help when things were getting nasty with the bank. When the closing docs came in at the 11th hour from our lender she stayed to make sure the HUD was done and that we would be ready to close this morning.
I am waiting in the lobby of this company for the buyer to arrive and for us to get settlement going. I am reading a magazine when all of a sudden I hear a growl and look up and there is a dog! I do not like dogs so i get up and move and let the receptionist know that I am afraid of dogs. A man came out of an office and the dog came closer so I retreated further, once again saying "I am afraid of dogs". This man says "Oh she's friendly". I said "I don't care, I don't like dogs." The man simply walked away and left the dog who once again began to come towards me. I said for the fourth time "I don't do dogs!" The receptionist finally got up and took her outside."
My buyer arrived and she asked why is there a dog out there. I explained that she had been inside and she said "Oh no! I don't like dogs." Then she asked "Isn't it inappropriate to have a dog here since this is an office?"
Eventually, the processor came to get us and she apologized saying that the dog worked there because it was the owner's dog. The owner was the man who told me she was friendly and then walked away.
I had been pleased with my experience with the title company processor and I was pleased with the closing attorney and I probably would have put them on my list of title companies to use in the future. However, I will never set foot in that company again unless I am forced simply because there was a dog there. The big issue wasn't the actual dog but the way the owner acted when it was clear that I was not comfortable with dogs. Just because you love your dog doesn't mean I have to.
This is an example of how one bad thing can undo a world of good and that what will stay with my memory is not the great service I got from the processor but the fact that I did not like my experience while I was waiting for the closing.
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Long & Foster Real Estate
www.staceybaugh.com
staceyannbaugh@gmail.com
240-481-3565 (C)
301-924-1100 (O)
FINALLY! A DOCTOR WHO MAKES HOUSE-CALLS!
Ya gotta love AR. 28 years in this business and I have never ever heard of a dog in a title company save blind people. I am a crazy dog lover, but have extreme respect for others until I know they are crazy dog lovers like myself. You might send your buyers a bag of dog treats with a note, "enjoy the closing?" For the title company, I am sure they were in that state of shock that hits people when something shocking happens. It is human nature for most to freeze and do nothing. I seen it happen in wrecks many times.
Send them some dog treats too. It may provide a bit of relief and may help you down the road.
Sorry for your experience..........
Tim - I like your idea about the dog treats. If you read my blog you'll see that crazy things always seem to happen to me :-)
Unfortunately, there is a lender that I really do enjoy working with, but the office has cats, multiple long haired cats. Needless to say, there is cat hair on a good deal of the furniture and files and although I tried to be polite, I am mildly allergic to cats and don't like the congestion that comes after an office visit. I had to move my business elsewhere, despite the great service and fast funding times.
Raymond - people need to be really careful when they bring animals to work because you never know how people will react
Why was the dog out in the open? DId they not think to keep the dog in the back room out of site. It is very odd to have a dog at work and it's not a "norm".
You are right, his business or not...the minute you said you were afraid of dogs.. he should have done something about it..good for you for sticking up for yourself.
I love dogs, MY DOG but I had a mortgage company rent a space in my office and just about that same thing happened and I put him his dog and his money out on the street. How dare some IDIOT assume everyone likes what they like.
There is a title company in Fairfax that has multiple dogs around whenever I have gone to settlement. They aren't out in the lobby area but I can't imagine why an owner, when someone expresses discomfort would walk away and leave the dog loose. It was inconsiderate and they should have instantly put the dog in a room away from where you were.
I love animals but not everyone looks at them like I do and I do understand that the title co. is not the place for a dog. He could have put him in his office or some thing. Some people just don't think that other people may not love their pet as much as they do.Some times we are blinded to these things kinda like how rotten our children can be every one else sees it but us.
Liz
REAL Estate: It's just a dog's life some days, I guess.
You gotta love it.
Doggone it! If you don't like dogs (or half dressed people of the opposite sex), you should never consider running for public office with its requisite knocking on doors during hot summer days. Screen doors offer little protection.
Donna - You would think they would keep the dog in the back
Konnie - he certainly should have moved the dog
Charles - I think sometimes pet lovers have a hard time understanding that we don't all love pets
Cindy - you need to tell me which company so that I ensure not to go there
Liz - I completely agree that we are often blinded to how people really feel about things we love
Jim - no public office for me because I am not knocking on strange doors for any reason (real estate included).
This trend seems to be getting more popular these days. We actually have a "mascot" in our office and I'm not sure how that works, although she is "put up" when a client is in the building.
Featured in the group "Whacked!!!"
Stacey - Ann - while a dog lover I understand and agree with you. I know that many people, especially those from certain cultural backgrounds, have a fear or don't like certain things. The owner refused to listen to the concerns of a customer/client. You are justified in not going back. As an old boss of mine used to say
ONE AWE SH!T WIPES OUT 1000 ATTABOYS
YOu are so right.
It is hard to build back if you loose it...but you have to keep trying.
Richard - thanks for the feature. What's the mascot.
Mike - I love that quote and it is so true.
Ginger - It is really hard to regain a customer/client's trust
Hi Stacey-Ann, I like dogs, but certainly understand that many do not...and especially strange dogs. He should have been more attentive to his customers needs. I agree with you, one mistake, can undo a lot of good and will cost him business.
A reponsible pet owner won't force their pet on anybody - especially in a business environment. Sounds like the owner has spent too much time in front of the microfiche and not enough with people. You can have your dog at your feet in the back room out of the public eye, but not in the lobby.
I'm scared of dogs - one bit a chunk out of my side when I was 10 years old (required stitches), and an ankle biter bit my ankle through my boot when I was an AVON LADY - Glad I had on Western Cowboy Boots that day! I don't hate dogs, or even dislike, just afraid!! Very afraid!!!
Mary - It will definitely cost him business because my buyer and I can't people the only people out there who don't love dogs
Jim - I agree, I guess responsible is the key word here
Marilyn - I can understand completely because I too am afraid of most dogs
Thanks for the blog. You are right all the good can be undone by one little malfunction.
shelton
Shelton - it's a shame that it works that way but it does.