Most apartment shops will include a phone portion. This simply means that you will be calling your assigned apartment community prior to visiting.
You may or may not have a target agent. If so, the target agent’s name will be listed in your shopper notes. If you are not assigned a target agent, the notes will say that you can shop “Anyone”.
In cases where there is a specific target agent, you may not reach that person on the phone right away. This is where phone excuses are important so you can continue to make calls without being identified as a shopper.
What time does the office close?
This is an easy question that can be answered quickly. The leasing agent may ask if you are a resident and you can say yes to get them off the phone quickly.
Do not be afraid to be brief. You goal is to call back later and hopefully get your target agent.
Is this the apartment complex across from (fill in an area on the opposite side of town)?
You are asking this to get off the phone quickly. The leasing agent may try to ask you questions about whether you would be interested in their property, but you can thank them without answering their questions and say you really are looking for the other community.
Does your community have breed restrictions?
Most communities have breed restrictions when it comes to dogs as pets and some communities do not allow pets at all. Once they say that they do not allow pets or that they restrict certain breeds, you can say you own one of those breeds, thank them and end the call.
There are many more excuses that can be used, so have some fun with this. Your main objective is to complete calls without blowing your identity as a shopper.