Ask Mary

Even Ducks Enjoy A Sunset Over Lake Erie

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:38:46 -0600

Even Ducks Enjoy A Sunset Over Lake Erie

Despite the frozen Lake Erie the ducks were happy to swim in the mouth of Trout Run along with the steelhead & brown trout.

After working most of the afternoon on a PowerPoint presentation for next week's Continuing Education class I just had to take time to capture the sunset over Lake Erie.

More to come as the weather gets warmer as Erie, PA has some of the world's best sunsets.

Now to put the finishing touches on my class notes before dinner.

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

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Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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Announcing the ActiveRain Guerrilla Marketing Team Contest!

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:20:14 -0600

Points! Points! Points! Who wants more points?

Are you competitive? Does a Contest get you excited?

Let's team up and enter ActiveRain Guerrilla Marketing Team Contest hosted by Russel Ray Since I have been an ActiveRain member I have enjoyed Russel's enthusiasm and willingness to lend a ear or hand to brighten another member's day. Yesterday he visited my site, left a comment and an invitation to enter his latest contest.

Russel didn't stop there. He went back home to sunny southern California to write a post Luck & Hard Work that included a link back to me. Just in case I missed his post he sent me an e-mail with a link back to his post.

And I took most of Sunday afternoon off from AR so Russel's message was a pleasant way to start a new week. Thanks Russel.

After you read the contest directions, the next challenge is finding a partner. Send me an e-mail if you would like to team up with a Real Estate Instructor.

Via Russel Ray, San Diego Marketing & Business Consultant (Russel Ray):

We're back for another ActiveRain Contest, this one a Guerrilla Marketing Team Contest.

Most ActiveRain contests are between individuals, but this time we're going to do something a little different.

Entrants are going to be working in teams of two, so you'll want to find an ActiveRain member to work with on an entry.

There are requirements for the teams, though. Your team should be one of the following:

Different industry team. For example, a Realtor and a home inspector, a Realtor and a mortgage lender, etc.

Complementary city team. This works well if you are in a military city like San Antonio with Fort Sam Houston and San Diego with its eighteen military complexes.

ActiveRain Newbie/Oldie team. For this contest, we're going to define Newbie as anyone who joined ActiveRain on or after November 1, 2009. Oldies, then, are anyone who joined ActiveRain on or before October 31, 2009.

The purpose of this contest is to get people out of their ActiveRain circles and out meeting some new people. After the contest is over, you just might find that you have a new Power Partner.

This is going to be a little more difficult contest than our previous Nature & Marketing contest, which is why the Great ActiveRain Guru himself, Bob Stewart, has approved the awarding of points as follows:

5,000 points to each of the first place team members

2,500 points to each of the second place team members

1,000 points to each of the third place team members

500 points to each team member for entering

Your team should come up with a picture and a tagline that works for both of your companies.

Here is an example that I came up with this morning:

To give everyone time to find a partner and go over ideas, the contest starts now and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on March 31, 2010.

Entries should be posted to the ActiveRain Guerrilla Marketing Station, and you should leave a comment here with a link to your entry.

Each team of two people will be allowed two entries.

You can title your post whatever you like, tag it however you like, and post in any other four groups.

The judges will be the people of ActiveRain, so once all the entries are in, everyone will have an opportunity to look over all of them and vote on their favorites.

Readers who don't enter might at least get some new ideas for their own marketing.

☺☻☻☺

Please post a picture of your cat right here.

♫♪♪♪♫

Fifteen recent blog posts

It's okay to be passionate about things other than real estate

Are you a fan or a player?

Bottom feeders have their place!

Can I sell it on eBay?

My new favorite poster!

Nature's example of being persistent and consistent

Is your load too heavy?

Feel free to tell stories about yourself to connect with your prospects

To everything, there is a purpose

Are you part of the minority?

Returning comment for comment

Russel believes it is okay to use short words and short sentences

Name that photo!

Where have all the people gone?

Can your Clients see right through you?

Helpful blog posts for ActiveRain newbies

How to get 500 points with your ActiveRain success story

Free help for Active Rain newbies

10 ways to get a featured post at ActiveRain

How to keep people from reading your Active Rain blog

How do you get people to comment on your blog?

Using Active Rain more effectively by finding Power Partners

Quit putting huge, gigantic, monster pictures in your blog. Now! (Help on resizing them)

Using YouTube videos without slowing down page loading

How to use the Active Rain system more efficiently

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

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Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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Let's See If We Can Find Signs of Spring

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:06:57 -0600

Let's see if we can find signs of Spring in Erie, PA

Wow! Erie, PA and the Northeast has had three wonderful days of sunshine in a row.

Now, how do I take a picture of sunshine? In the past I have shared with you sunrise and sunset photos, but I haven't figured out how to take the in-between shots of sunshine.

Let's just look for signs of spring.

Well, even that is hard in Erie, PA given the amount of snow we still have on the ground. The birders are posting reports of bluebirds and cedar wax wings in the area and the local ice cream stand is counting down the days until Opening Day.

FLOWERS = SPRING

Since my flower gardens are still covered with snow, I will just go into my craft room and put together a few arrangements.

ENJOY . . .

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

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Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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And the Day Is Done

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:57:24 -0600

It has been a long time since I have seen a beautiful sunset due in part to the many snowy or cloudy days the northeast has had this winter. So let me share with you the first of many for 2010.

EriePA

And the good news is the weatherman is predicting more sunny days and even a little warmer.

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Have you completed Real Estate Continuing Education classes for 2010 renewal? www.alankells.com

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

#####################################################

And It's Time to Walk Again

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:46:45 -0600

As many of you know I enjoy cross country skiing during the winter. Fortunately I have many options: the woods below my house, the fields across the road, a nearby golf course or the trails on Presque Isle. Sunshine = Spring Fever

This morning I was so happy to see a clear road again. No snow. No icy patches.

It's time to put the skis in the rafters of the garage and put on my hiking boots. It's not quite time for sneakers.

Join me. It's only one mile to the end of the road & back.

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If you or someone you know is studying to take the Pennsylvania Real Estate exam, please join me on Saturday for FREE coaching class. www.alankells.com

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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Are You As Ready for Spring as I AM?

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:25:05 -0600

Are You As Ready for Spring As I AM?

Erie, PA Your area ?

I am so ready to see flowers growing instead of the mountains of snow I see outside my door.

Lately I have read a few posts from other areas of the country with beautiful photos of the first signs of spring in their area. Just today Fred Carver shared a close up of a Red tulip using tips by photographer Debi Boucher. In my comment to Fred I said that I was going to try close up photos.

What better subject than spring flowers!!!

Now I let me be upfront and disclose the true source of my flowers . . .

One of my past times is working with silk flowers. At this time of year I start putting together my spring bouquets. Each day I add to my collection. Enjoy . . .

Maybe spring will come to your area soon.

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

#####################################################

Homestyle Cooking with Mary: Hubby's Seafood Chowder

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:24:56 -0600

Hubby is a great cook, but sometimes I just need to give him a reason to practice. So this weekend while I was teaching I asked him to make his Famous Seafood Chowder.

Seafood Chowder

Choose three or four kinds of fish: walleye, cod, shrimp, clams, salmon

One & half quarts whole milk

Potatoes

Scallions, chopped finely with green tops

One or two cans cream corn

Seasonings: Worcheshire sauce, hot pepper sauce, old bay seasoning

Optional: salt & pepper, butter

Directions:

Poach fish in small amount of water; drain
Peal potatoes; cube; cook; drain
Chop scallions

Scald milk & add fish, shrimp, clams

Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy

Maybe I should teach every weekend. Join me in class soon. www.alankells.com

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

#####################################################

Canada --- Peace Brige --- USA

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:15:51 -0600

Canada -- Peace Bridge -- US

Miracle On Ice Review: Not many rivalries are better known than the US-Canadian rivalry in the sport of hockey. Our two countries share the longest unguarded border in the world, but we are bitter rivals on the ice. For the last ten days the world has been following the Olympics games in Vancouver and the hype leading up to last night's face-off of the Canadian hockey team and the US hockey team almost compared to last month's Super Bowl.

Not wanting to miss a minute the Yonkers planned their dinner around the game. Fortunately our big screen TV can seen from the dining table across the family room.

Just a little background: My home town of Erie, PA is only two hours from Niagara Falls and the Canadian border via the aptly named the Peace Bridge. The captain of the Canadian team, Sidney Crosby, played for the Erie Otters until he joined the Pittsburgh Penquins and lead the Pittsburgh team to the Stanley Cup Championship in 2009. Meghan Agosta, a key player for Canada's women's hockey team, is a student at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. I graduated from Mercyhurst College long before they had a hockey team.

There is more hockey to come and perhaps these two teams will meet again in their quest for Olympic Gold.

Whether we chant "Go USA"or "O Canada" let's not forget the connections we share with our neighbors in our own communities and here on ActiveRain.

Peace Bridge

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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"Ask Mary" Comes to Blogtalkradio

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:54:16 -0600

Thanks, Carra. I am looking forward to being a guest on BlogTalkRadio. Carra has been so supportive of the ActiveRain community and willing to share her time and expertise. I feel honored to join Carra on the Cosmic Cow Pie BlogTalkRadio on March 4th at 11:00 am EST (or 9:00 am MST) If you would like to be a guest on Carra's show, contact her via e-mail or phone.

Via Carra Riley CRB, CRS, GRI (Carra Riley Inc.- Real Estate Consultant, Author, Speaker ):

"'Ask Mary' Comes to Blogtalkradio"

Are you someone who wants to learn new things every day?

Is it important to you to stay on top of real estate trends?

Are you ready to take your real estate career to new heights?

If you said yes to any of these questions, you need to listen to Mary Yonkers on Blogtalkradio at 9:00am MST on Thursday March 4, 2010. You can click here to set a reminder. And please call in with any questions, or just to listen at (347) 994-1903. Or you can listen online and participate in the chat room by clicking here.

Mary is a real estate educator from Erie, Pennsylvania. Mary is extremely passionate about education having been a teacher at the middle school level for sixteen years before starting a career in real estate. Currently Mary teaches real estate classes for Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate and conducts training classes for Howard Hanna Real Estate.

Mary has also been the office manager at Coldwell Banker, and the Director of Education at Holland Metro Inc. On the Blogtalkradio show, Mary will be sharing her knowledge of the real estate industry, blogging, continuing education, and the importance of training. The journey of her career is an exciting one that everyone can learn from.

To learn a little more about Mary, you can visit her website at http://maryyonkers.com/. Or give her a call at (814) 881-7548.

Connect with Mary on ActiveRain, Twitter, and Facebook. You can find her outside blog here.

Hope to see you on Tuesday March 4, 2010 at 9:00am MST on Blogtalkradio.

Cosmic Cow Pie

Carra Riley

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

#####################################################

Have You Visited Charleston, South Carolina?

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:13:18 -0600

If you haven't visited Charleston, South Carolina, I suggest that you add it to your list of places to visit. Let me tempt you with a few of the many photos I took during a recent visit.

Even during the winter months flowers bloom in protected locations. This camelia just seem to say come closer.

Can you imagime what fun it would be to be a guest in this Bed & Breakfast on the corner of Meeting and the Battery?

How would you like to arrive by horse & buggy?

So many historic mansions and churches.

Don't miss Rainbow Row

. . . . . . and cobblestone streets

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

#####################################################

What's New in Real Estate?

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:59:39 -0600

Having just read The Eight New Rules of Real Estate fby John Tuccillo for an upcoming class, I sat down to prepare a PowerPoint presentation. However, I threw away most of my notes and wrote this outline.

The Basics Are Still the Basics

The I-key Has Moved

Consumer Power

Become an 'Info Analyst'

Navigate the Tech Corridor

Upgrade Your Social Skills

Go Green

Sell the Value of You

Rather than include detail under each heading I used the bullet points as discussion triggers. What a great class! Agents were more involved and willing to add their two cents than when the material is spoon-fed to them.

Join me in class March 16, 2010 www.alankells.com

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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Dilemma: It's a Snow Day so What Do I DO?

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:05:28 -0600

The impending snow storm cancelled my meeting plans today. Wow, I have a whole day to fill.

Oh yes, I have a rather long "To Do" list.

That is not the problem, but do I do something fun or get busy on The List?

Finish new class outline?

Unbox & set up new projector?

Create new distribution list

Review tomorrow's class material

Well, I signed up for a Webinar with the ActiveRain Professor and my friend called to join her cross country skiing.

Oh, yes, What's for dinner?

Originally I planned tonight as a leftover night, but now I have time to creative.

Check Homestyle Cooking with Mary for the menu.

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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Homestyle Cooking with Mary: Marinated Steak & Veggies

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:04:00 -0600

A snowy forecast for Erie, PA and the entire east coast rearranged my day and gave me time to plan tonight's dinner rather than empty the refrigerator of the leftovers that have accumulated all week. (See Dilemma)

A quick review of the freezer found two fillets that

defrosted quickly.

Let's slice a few onions, peppers and mushrooms.

My favorite marinade has only two ingredients:

Low Sodium Teriyaki Sauce
Honey

Mix together then pour equal amount in two zip-lock baggies. I used one baggie for the meat and another for the veggies. (Marinading in a bag uses less sauce than a bowl. Turn periodically if you remember.)

Broil or grill steak as desired. (Hubby prefers the broiler at this time of year)

Saute veggies.

Optional side dishes: rice, salad, homemade applesauce

Guests Welcome

This weekend I will be teaching Real Estate Pre-license classes so Hubby will be the cook. I have given him a few requests including his famous Seafood Chowder.

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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Homestyle Cooking with Mary: Hubby's Pot Roast

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:11:13 -0600

Hubby's Pot Roast

Nothing surpasses the smell and taste of pot roast, the ultimate comfort food and Hubby is the master chef for this meal.

Start with an inexpensive cut of beef often called chuck roast. For some reason the inexpensive cuts impart the best taste. (Venison is also very tasty)

Braise the meat at high heat with a little oil in Dutch oven

Add low salt beef broth & several small onions

Optional seasonings: sea salt, pepper, Worchestershire sauce

Roast in oven for two hours @ 325

Add carrots, potatoes and more small onions for last hour.

Some people like to thicken the broth at this point, but I don't.

Leftovers are wonderful, too.

When I have to teach Real Estate pre-license classes on weekends, I ask Hubby to be in charge of dinner. I love coming home to the wonderful smell of dinner cooking and relax with glass of wine.

Thanks Hubby

Join me in Real Estate classes next weekend while Hubby cooks. www.alankells.com

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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Visitor Center: Invitation or Deception

Mary Yonkers (Howard Hanna/Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:27:15 -0600

Visitor Center: Invitation or Deception

Following our usual pattern when visiting a new city my husband and I stopped at the Visitor Center just before lunch. Our plan was to find get a city map and pinpoint the highlights of the city.

The young man who greeted us outside the Visitor Center asked if we wanted to tour a revonated building in the historic downtown district. But we needed to hurry as the tour was beginning shortly.

"After the tour you will receive a $50 certificate toward dinner at a restaurant of your choice and two tickets for Grayline tour of the city in return for listening to a 90 minute presentation sponsored by ?@?#? (mumbled quickly).

Yes, we wanted to tour a restored building in this historic city. I guess we were focusing on the $50 certificate and FREE tour of the city on the Grayline bus.

It wasn't until we were ushered into the sales area that I realized we had commited to being badgered with listening to a Timeshare presentation.

Because we were hurrying to be ontime we skipped lunch, but I still thought we might be able listen, earn our FREE gifts and catch a late lunch.

NO, SUCH LUCK!

Oh, yes, we were offered coffee or tea before the sales pitch began. After an hour or so I did reach in my purse for a few raisins and nuts that I shared with my husband & the salesperson while trying to look interested. Taking my cue, Hubby asked, "What's the bottom line? What's the cost?"

Cost: $39,900 reduced to $29,000 today only

"No, I don't think this is what we had in mind when we came here today."

Well, let me talk to the sales manager. He may be able to modify our program.

While our sales representative was getting the sales manager, I looked at my husband and said I need lunch.

Sales manager: I can modify the plan for only $13,900

My husband seemed a little more interested at the reduced price, but he still balked at making a commitment. I asked, "Can we go across the street for lunch?"

"Today" means while you are here only

In the meantime my patience and my willingness to be polite while dealing with the sales pressure was getting to me. I was beginning to feel like I was captive.

Sales manager: I can revise the plan and give you the rock bottom price is $_ , _ _ _

I just put my head down on the table for a second. When I raised my head I said calmly I need to talk to my husband, Please.

I was almost surprise when the sales rep smiled: Of course you can.

At this point I almost expected them to sit there while we talked, but like good negotiators they did leave the room.

Mary, we do like to travel . . .

Long story shortened the Yonkers are now owners of a vacation plan a.k.a Timeshare

Follow-up post with answer to the question Invitation or Deception will be written when we take our next vacation.

>>>>If you are planning to take Real Estate classes in Erie, PA see our website www.alankells.com >>>>This is just an invitation>>>Join me in class >>>

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Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor, Alan Kells

Real Estate Careers with the Best of the Best!

www.facebook.com/maryyonkers

Do you know someone who is planning to sell or buy in Erie, PA?

############################################################

Need an Economical Plumber in Erie, PA ???

Call T & T Plumbing (Tim White) 814.836.0305

My son-in-law, Tim White

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