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I recently went to see a new client in the Forest of Dean.  The address of the house was a name, rather than a house number.  To respect privacy, let’s call it ‘The Old Bakery’.

Being in a village that I didn’t know, I relied on Satnav.  I love Satnav, it took me to within 50 yards of my destination. Without a house number, however, it could not take me to the door.  And, unfortunately, none of the houses had any names on the front either.

I parked, walked around a little, and scratched my head.  How was I to know which was The Old Bakery? 

At the end of the street, I spied a 'local estate agents'.  You know the type – have been in the village for 50 years, they know every property, and everybody knows them.

So, I went into the estate agents, and asked if they knew of a property called The Old Bakery.  There was a young lady, who seemed to be a secretary, and an older man, who I think was the estate agent.

The young lady began to direct me to somewhere at the other end of the village.  When I told them both that the address was of the street we were standing in, they looked completely confused and told me that they had no idea where The Old Bakery was, and were very sorry that they couldn’t help me.

I went out of the shop, turned left, and took my chances.  I knocked on the door of the house next door.  The client opened the door, said “Are you Chris?”, and I went in.

If you are going to put yourself out as an expert, such as advertising yourself as a ‘local’ estate agent, you really do need to be the expert you are promoting yourself as being!