Topic: If you are vendor reading this, please exercise some level of common sense when cold calling managers.

If you are vendor reading this, please excercise some level of common sense when cold calling managers. I feel like some vendors should know when to call the site vs when to reach out to corporate for their pitch. Like sir do you REALLY think I have any control over which payroll company we use?? GET OFF MY PHONE!!!

I think they go to the point of contact given for a property. Even if you don’t have control, you can possibly mention them during budgets or if a switch is needed. Never hurts to have a good relationship with vendors, even if you’re not the one making the ultimate decision.

I look at it as a word of mouth thing. Vendors you are currently using normally reach out to the property manager to check in, unless otherwise instructed. I see it both ways as I’ve been in both spots.

I keep getting calls about how much I charge to manage this new portfolio they’re with. I’m like idk….maybe call corporate…?!

And when someone says they are not interested, a snarky comeback along the lines of "Wow, must be nice you dont have that issue, everyone else does so you must be lying" is a good way to put you on the 'never use" list. Yes, we are HUD subsidized senior housing and have to 3rd party everything so, no, we dont have a problem with fake paystubs. Very rarely is an 80 year old man still working.

Don’t hate the rep, they are just doing what their told. I’m on the vendor side and can’t tell you how many times I have to call a property because it’s “on the list” when I know damn well they don’t want to hear from me and the decisions are made off site. It takes all of a minute to be polite, tell them who to call or that you can’t help them, and move on.

And for the love of God do not call on a Monday morning.

Maybe, don’t ignore the previous 14 emails and 9 phone messages. Cut’em off early. I agree though, cold calling is annoying.
In your case, this person did zero due diligence. If they day did, they would have known that there’s a corporate entity to call on.

I completely agree with this on the vendor side, it’s frustrating when there is no reply a simple no is fine.

I’m just impressed that a manager is answering the phone. Sometimes vendor calls are borderline harassment. When I was on-site I made sure all vendors and sales reps knew not to call me and please don’t show up unannounced. Register with the local apartment association and attend the trade shows. That’s the only way you would hear from me. Never had any more issues.

As a vendor (and former payroll salesperson)

I can assure you the person that is calling you most likely knows nothing about multi family, does not know the structure of property management. Nor understands that you don’t make payroll decisions on site.

At the end of the day, they’re just doing their job. Point them in the right direction and move on with your day.

Regardless of what business you’re in, cold calling on a Monday is never going to be well-received.
Additionally, most businesses have pretty intense workloads on the first and last day of a calendar month.
Avoiding these days will help everyone, and vendors/suppliers will be able to better connect with the folks they’re selling to.

I'm in the "vendor" category, but I am so thankful that cold calls are not a part of my day. They sound awful for everyone involved

Every time I get a cold call I'm thinking to myself.... in this labor shortage we are having this is really the best job you could qualify for....

Cold calling in any atmosphere or for any reason can be annoying in general but I try to understand that's their "job" and they arent annoying me on purpose and honestly I have ended up with some good contacts from it, rarely but it happens...I just let them know to contact corporate or that I'm not who their point of contact should be and keep it moving...

I don't answer unsolicited vendor emails or calls, however, I do keep them in a special folder, so when the time and need align, I have something to go back and search through. None of it is necessarily wasted.