What Happens if the agent is on vacation and Wants to Pause Appointments?

Overview

Agents may have questions about how to handle referral opportunities when they are unavailable, such as during vacations or due to a busy schedule. SOLD.com offers flexibility to ensure agents can manage these situations without negatively impacting their rank or performance metrics.

Key Points About Managing Referrals While Unavailable

1. No Pause Option:

   • There is no way to pause referrals entirely, as SOLD.com’s system continuously generates leads based on consumer demand.
   • Referrals will still be sent to agents based on their rank and eligibility.

2. Responding to Referral Opportunity Texts:

   • If you are unavailable due to vacation or other reasons, you can:
     • Ignore the Text: The referral will automatically move to the next eligible agent after the standard response window expires.
     • Reject the Referral: Actively decline the opportunity, which immediately passes it to the next agent in line.

3. No Negative Impact:

   • Ignoring or rejecting referrals will not affect your scorecard or rank within your zip codes.
   • Agents remain eligible for future referral opportunities once they are available again.

4. Phone Consultations:

   • Agents who prefer not to miss opportunities can offer phone consultations as an alternative to in-person meetings. This can be an effective way to accommodate appointments while away but requires the agent to communicate this option proactively to the consumer.

Best Practices for Managing Appointments While Away

1. Set Expectations:
   • If you anticipate being unavailable, consider informing your assigned SOLD.com representative or preparing to manage referrals upon your return.
2. Leverage Technology:
   • Use tools like calendar apps or auto-responders to remind yourself to follow up with missed opportunities.
3. Consider a Team Backup:
   • If you work as part of a team, you may arrange for a team member to manage referrals temporarily. Note that this may require SOLD.com approval.

Example Talk Track for Consumers

If a consumer inquires why a consultation needs to be rescheduled, agents can use the following talk track:

Talk Track: “Thank you for your interest! I apologize for the scheduling conflict. I am currently out of the office, but I’d love to set up a time that works best for you as soon as I return. If you’d prefer, I can arrange a quick phone consultation in the meantime to ensure your needs are addressed right away. What would work best for you?”

Key Points for Internal Teams

1. Reassure Agents:

   • Let agents know that ignoring or rejecting referral opportunities will not penalize their rank or eligibility for future referrals.
   • Example Talk Track: “If you’re unavailable for a referral, simply ignore the text, and it will move to the next agent in line without affecting your rank.”

2. Promote Flexibility:

   • Encourage agents to consider phone consultations as a way to manage referrals remotely if desired.

3. Provide Clarity:

   • Ensure agents understand that SOLD.com cannot pause referrals, but they have the flexibility to accept or decline opportunities as needed.

By offering clear options and reassurance, agents can feel confident in their ability to manage referral opportunities even when they are temporarily unavailable