We've talked here many times about how people say/act one way then do the opposite and how that applies to screening. Often, I've noted that most people cannot compartmentalize dishonesty: if they're dishonest in one area (i.e. claiming a "fake" ESA to avoid paying a pet fee), odds are they have been dishonest elsewhere in life. It's too hard to live a lie or a fabriction and keep the story straight, and most people just aren't really good at it. There are a few really good liars who can get by with it. Most can't, and I use that to my advantage.

Today I got a voicemail (because that's where all calls go!) that said this....

"Yeah, my name is Josh. I was on Zillow and came across one of your properties for rent on line. Anyway, I'm at work today here in Springfield. That's why I wasn't able to get on the website and try to apply or schedule a tour of that way. If you get a free moment and could call me back today. I'd like to come check this place out. My phone number is XXX-XXXX. Bye"

Btw, the reason this is an important topic is I see a lot of hand-wringing and "what do I do?" post about fake ESAs or other common lies/stories, etc. How are we to catch and deny these cheats/scammer?!?

It's not too hard, I think.

Along the same lines, I hate it when people request a showing via zillow, then when I call them five minutes later, they don't answer and claim they're at work and can't answer!

Aaaaaannnnd FRANK wins the prize. I know you're more of a whiskey guy....we'll talk and figure it out.

Now I guess one could argue that he found my ad BEFORE he went to work and only now decided to call, but really.... EVERYONE these days has a smart phone. Apparently, he was able to call. So unless he was using his employer's land line phone and has no co-workers with smart phones, he has all the necessary tools at hand to request a tour online.

My Showing form is short and phone friendly. Takes 2 minutes to complete, if that.

But he wants to talk...my guess is there's a "story"... Too bad I won't hear it.

Previously, I would deal with liars. They weren't bad as much as they were weak.

In many cases, they paid well enough to be acceptable for my business, but gone are those days.

So, just to play a little Devil's Advocate here... There are lots of situations where people can use some apps at work, but are unable to just browse to any web site. I actually set that sort of thing up as part of my day job sometimes.

It is completely possible that he was able to use the Zillow app and look at things at work -- but would be unable to go to your website to fill out an application and/or schedule an appointment online.

Just sayin'. :)

That being said, I totally agree with the concern about people that want to talk because they feel the need to tell their story or "explain" things beforehand. That's usually a red flag, I agree.

But I'd probably at least talk to him. Or go "ok, well, when you have a chance later, just go online and fill things out there." I wouldn't just exclude him completely for going to Zillow but saying that he couldn't go to your application site at work. That's not that weird, actually. It COULD be a lie, like you think, but it also very much could be something legit.

- John...

If the prospective tenant cannot go online outside of work, it could show a lack of cooperation and not following S i d's directions of filling out the online "short and phone friendly" form.

Sal from Cal (sorry, couldn't resist, I'll never do it again...feel free to mess with my name a bit)....

Bingo. I had 44 emails on this property today and 20 phone calls. 64 total inquiries. His was ONE of those. Even if he was 100% legit, I don't have TIME to follow up with him when 8 other people did exactly what they had to do. I'm sorry if his work blocks his access to my site, but even if the do.... again... SMART PHONES!

You want something badly enough, you find a way to get it done, I think we can all agree. Excuses are....well, excuses. It's the same tenant whose boss "messes up the paycheck" or whose bank "screwed up my account". Maybe that's legit too. I don't care. I need the rent, now.

I don't want tenants who need a Devil's Advocate to intercede for them. I want a tenant who kicks the Devil in his stones, throws him on the ground in a choke hold, and WILL NOT BE DENIED a showing! ;-)

Sid: We didn't have all of those details before. If you have lots of applicants, then of course ignore that guy.

I just thought the point of your "Inconsistency" post was that he was basically being caught lying. You mentioned "dishonesty" multiple times and said that you catch liars because they aren't good at it.

I was just pointing out that he actually might not be lying.

I'm not saying to take him if you got lots of other applicants. I'm just saying that he might not be a "dishonest liar"...

- John...

I too was wondering the exact thing.

SID,

Good story!

Good thing you do lockbox showings!

ummm...not everyone's phone is a smartie. Even the best won't work from inside a steel roofed building like Lowes.

I don't worry too much about what people say on a message. I've left some pretty dumb ones myself as I try to think of what to say into a box.

BRAD