Calypso Realy

Disappointed,

I am going to go with a postive answer - no being rude is not the norm. What exactly happened or how did the conversation go??

What type of information are you looking for perhaps we can suggest another realtor.

--Islander

I have heard that before. Try mine, Mucki Wesley at http://currerirealtors.vi/listings.htm
but remember, they get calls all the time and some of them need some classes in customer service!
Ronnie

I have to agree with Ronnie. Mucki is a GREAT realtor and will give you excellent service.

I called Calypso Realty prior to moving here to ask some questions and received the same sort of treatment - rude, rude, rude. I recommend Marsha Mayne with Remax or Shane Foster with John Foster

My husband and I have experienced similar treatemnt from Calypso as well. We also hear the same thing from a casual friend.

Disappointed, it would seem my positive response of rude responses not being common does not apply to the realty you mentioned, but I meant it in general. And I hope you will try some of the realtors suggested and perhaps they will be able to better assist you.

--Islander

Judie from John Foster was a big help for me!

To all who have made comments about Calypos Realty - I passed your comments on to my husban who has had a business relationship with Calypso since 1998. Last Friday he terminated his rental contract with Calypso becaus the principal has been EXTREMELY difficult to work with and down and out rude to us. He would like permission from each of you to share your comments anonynously with her. He will black out all names and reference to this website but would want your approval to do so. He is so happy to know that the HE is not the problem.

Thank you. I appreaciate your responses.
Rita

It is more than one person that has mentioned that to me. I am sure that eventually it will all catch up to her and her business will flounder. Maybe your husband can paraphrase what he read here. Chances are it won't even phase her!
Ronnie

You can give her my response and feel free to use my name. Maybe she only wants to service a select group of people.

What I would suggest, is those interested in sharing their experience with Rita for presenting to the agent, perhaps should e-mail her directly with the comments, experiencs and opinions of their interaction with this agency - then Rita you could print those emails out.

--Islander

I found this thread after doing a search on this board to see if anyone else had a bad experience with this company. And sadly it took me about one second to find out that I had lots of company!

I very recently had a TERRIBLE experience with the principle of this company. The principle (Sharon) was amazingly rude to me when I called to inquire about one of her listings.

I can honestly say is the rudest treatment I have received on this island yet by a long-shot.

I just want to bump this up because this I think it is important for property owners who are listing their properties with this company to be aware that the principle of this company is treating perspective buyers in a very rude fashion.

I was treated so badly that I am going to continue looking for homes listed by other companies and do my very best to avoid dealing with Calypso Realty if at all possible.

It's really too bad because this company does a very nice job of marketing themselves on-line. They have an adorable website.

I see she is still in business despite her attitude!

RL

Three years ago when this thread began I related an experience I had and since that time I have gone into real estate and my opinion has not changed.

Funny to have read this as we had a similar experience with them in May in person. Never received a return call as promised and felt as though they only wanted to do business with a select group (like a million or more club).

It's unfortunate behavior to say the least and very short-sighted on her part. All I can say is that she is doing her sellers a real disservice by treating perspective buyers this way.

Bad apples in every industry. I had a buddy who is an investor from the states and was looking at property here on Island. He wanted me to look at something in Peterbourg for him. When I called the Realtor she was really short with me. You would think she would of wanted to move a million dollar listing but she acted like I was lucky to be talking to her. Needless to say I pointed my friend in another direction and she missed out on a $60k commission.

David was this the same person we are talking about? You didn't specify but I assume it is?

Given the number of people who have had a bad experience it is hard to understand this behavior.

This person must be having personal struggles or is stressed, or simply doesn't realize how badly she presents to others. I wish her all the best and hope that she can find a way to not be so surly and petulant with potential buyers who inquire about her listings.

Tsk tsk tsk.

Here's my story about this firm (I'll leave out the names).

A young local woman, educated in Europe and America, wanted to buy a condo on the north side of STT. This firm was the listing agent, asking the highest price yet (at that time) for that size unit. The local woman made a fair offer at the amount of the most recent sales price of that size unit - the highest comp available. The listing agent told me verbally she didn't "believe my approval letter" because she didn't believe a "local woman" could qualify ( I didn't share with the realtor the 7 figure trust fund on top of the substantial income she qualified with). I was shocked! They counter offered at one dollar less than the listing price. What an insult to this buyer! Needless to say, she bought a different property.

The industry could do without such people, but there will always be a few. The solution is to just go elsewhere. Send them a letter expressing your feelings about your poor treatment if you like, but knowing this firm... it will not be considered. They don't discriminate on who they treat poorly.

Island Ed, I don't know what to say. This defies explanation. Maybe this person is so sucessful she no longer feels the need to try to accomodate buyers in any way.

Ronnie, you are right about Mucki. I have met her and was impressed. She was the listing agent on a property I looked at. She is very nice, very knowledgeable and very professional. I would also recommend her to others.

I have overall had very positive experiences with most of the agents I have met on this island. I guess that's why I was thrown by my encounter with Calypso.

Oh well. Just as there are lots of other fish in the sea, there are lots of other good and friendly realtors on St. Thomas.

I wonder what would happen if everyone that suffered some indiffence from her would report it to the real estate board?

RL

I was thinking of copying all these comments and just emailing them to Calypso, but of course, you can't email them! You have to call. Maybe someone should call and leave a message for them to check out the board. I know, I'm bad...

As far as reporting to the board and/or reporting these comments directly to Calypso, I would recommend against it.

I don't think it is worth the bother. If one doesn't care for the way they are being treated by the listing agent, it is easy enough to avoid this company's properties. They don't have many listings and seem to be a pretty minor player in the real estate business around here.

Also, according to the company's website the principal is a member of the real estate board so any complaints will probably fall on deaf ears.

In fairness, this company is doing some things right. They do have a terrific website. I am also sure that there are a number of people out there who have been treated very well and would beg to differ with those of us who believe we weren't.

I harbor no ill-will toward this company or the principal. I just didn't care for the way that I was treated and posted my thoughts to a thread on this topic that started long ago, but I am not really interested in taking things any further than that.

This website has a high Google ranking - so comments on here can be easily found via a simple search of the net if anyone types "Calypso Realty" into the search engine. I tried it and this thread came up on page 1!! This is probably more profound than anything that the Board of Realtors could do.

Too bad- they do have a really catchy logo and website. You know what they say about pretty packaging - and not judging a book by its cover -- and all those other cliches.