Everyone Loves Me

mike_v_s · #1 05-11-2008, 08:21 PM

So part of my job is being the liason between my client and a landowner whose property they are either interested in or have already started using for whatever. This week, I have the enviable task of delivering infuriating news to 5 of them.

In three cases, landowners seem to think that my client owes them compensation for damages done during the clearing of a right of way. Now, realistically, a few of the complaints might hold water, but since my job is "mouthpiece" in this particular instance, all I can give them is a legally polite version of "too bad" and wait for the client to be sued.

In the other two cases, they thought that "negotiating terms of sale" meant "do not return phone calls and the prospective buyer will call and beg you with a huge sum of money". For the uninitiated, it doesn't. My client asked me to move on to another person and make a slightly higher offer. That person countered with a decent in-the-ballpark number and the client agreed.

Now the first two morons have heard the figure and have been calling my office looking to curse me out for backing out on our verbal agreement. Sometime this week I get to return that phone call (a courtesy on my part, really, as the client no longer has any interest in dealing with them). The worst part is that I make it a policy to never discuss one person's money with another- even if they are family members-so my entire conversation will be:

Them: "$%^&*&^%$&***"
Me: "We are no longer interested in purchasing and I cannot discuss the details of another sale".
Them: "$%^&*&^%$&***"
Me: "We are no longer interested in purchasing and I cannot discuss the details of another sale".
Them: "$%^&*&^%$&***"
Me: "We are no longer interested in purchasing and I cannot discuss the details of another sale".
Them: "$%^&*&^%$&***"
Me: "We are no longer interested in purchasing and I cannot discuss the details of another sale".

So I guess I'll leave you all with a lesson or two for future negotiations.
1) If a company wants to buy or lease your property, you have room to negotiate, but not as much as everyone thinks.

2)Just because a company is interested doesn't mean they HAVE to buy your property. Don't make your counter-offer so stupid that they move on.

3)Always be pleasant and keep the lines of communication open. If the broker has to deal with an asshat, he WILL find an easier alternative.

4)An attorney isn't necessary, but they can be helpful. If the amount of money being discussed is high enough, hire one.

5)Just like real estate, try to find out what the going rate for the work being proposed is. Trying to gauge need is difficult, but that knowledge will give you an idea of what you can get away with.

I guess my main point is don't be stupid. A quick example. Last year I was asked to purchase a right of way for a pipeline. All 8 of the landowners banded together led by a moron and soundly rejected every single offer we made while insisting that they get paid about 20 times what the land was worth. At one point I told them that we were not going any higher (we weren't. I don't BS this kind of thing).

One owner broke ranks and we cut her a check for the agreed amount of $9000. The rest insisted that a company as large as my client's had deep pockets and could afford to pay more. What the company did was cut their losses and moved elsewhere. In the end, one landowner got paid $9000 for a project that was moved to a different location and the other 7 got squat. I love greed. It always gives to someone else.

Anyway, that's more than anyone cared to know. See ya.

Mike

IconBasser · #2 05-11-2008, 08:26 PM

oh the joys of being a lawyer

... or are you an agent or something?

peterbright · #3 05-11-2008, 08:31 PM

People are amazing. A few of those amazing people are really getting hosed in today's market.

Jared Lash · #4 05-11-2008, 08:33 PM

It's amazing how often people think they are dealing from a position of strength when they aren't. Playing hard to get with a corporation rarely pays off.

Oh and Icon, after looking at your signature for a while, I decided that it's basic statement is a lie. I'm relatively certain that mike_v_s is married, which means it can't possibly be true.

IconBasser · #5 05-11-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

It's amazing how often people think they are dealing from a position of strength when they aren't. Playing hard to get with a corporation rarely pays off.

Oh and Icon, after looking at your signature for a while, I decided that it's basic statement is a lie. I'm relatively certain that mike_v_s is married, which means it can't possibly be true.

heh, very nice!

I've had that sig for a while, I should probably change it soon.

mike_v_s · #6 05-11-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IconBasser

oh the joys of being a lawyer

... or are you an agent or something?

Agent would be close. Company A (who is interested in property for an inductrial type use) will call my employer. Depending on the nature of the work, my employer then assigns someone like me to do the requested work. He gets about 1/2 to 2/3 of the day rate he charges and I get the rest. Legally, I'm self employed, pay my own taxes and recive no benefits. On the plus side, I can take as many days off as I want provided that the work is done on time and this guy provided the kind of on the job training that I could not get at most places. Generally, I love my job. This week will suck.

Mike

DavidCertain · #7 05-11-2008, 08:41 PM

i thought this was a bass playing site

mike_v_s · #8 05-11-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Oh and Icon, after looking at your signature for a while, I decided that it's basic statement is a lie. I'm relatively certain that mike_v_s is married, which means it can't possibly be true.

At first, I was miffed that you didn't notice the wedding ring when Sophie, you and I went for the blimp ride, but then I remembered that I was wearing both 4 finger rings that day, so it was probably covered up by the one that said "BADASS".

Mike

mike_v_s · #9 05-11-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidCertain

i thought this was a bass playing site

That's why I posted this in "Off Topic", instead of "Technique".

Mike

Jared Lash · #10 05-11-2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidCertain

i thought this was a bass playing site

I thought that when I first signed up too. Then I realized it was a site dedicated to making you want to spend money on expensive gear and then waste time posting in lieu of practicing.

Ben Lesser · #11 05-11-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

That's why I posted this in "Off Topic", instead of "Technique".

Mike

Man.

Your wit is excellent.

/got nothing else

MakiSupaStar · #12 05-11-2008, 11:08 PM

You're a better man than me Mike. I would have given into the temptation to f with the idiots. Perhaps that's why I'm a teacher.

Tim Cole · #13 05-12-2008, 01:57 AM

ADbassman · #14 05-12-2008, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

At first, I was miffed that you didn't notice the wedding ring when Sophie, you and I went for the blimp ride, but then I remembered that I was wearing both 4 finger rings that day, so it was probably covered up by the one that said "BADASS".

Mike

I keep hearing about this mythical blimp, yet I've never seen any pictures of it posted on the forum. Am I missing something?