Chris Palmer – State Farm Insurance Agent

Years ago, much of my family and myself held various policies with this agency. We added spouses, cars, motorcycles, homes, and apartments as time passed. My first car and motorcycle carried their policies. We paid, they covered, and we got the occasional break for referring added elements to their portfolio. All sounds good, right?
My father passed, I moved across country, and other life changes came to pass. Some of our family still carried some business with them. Some more years pass, and upon my return to the Triple Cities, the first place I thought to go with my car, my fiancé’s car, our renter’s and engagement ring insurance needs was Palmer. We hoped it would help lower cost for the remaining family still underwritten. We were instead told «We’re not accepting any new business». For one, I was returning business, not new. Two, I understand turning away business if you’re so swamped that you’re afraid to give a product or service of an inferior standard that could well effect your image and all-​valuable word of mouth advertising. How this could actually be the case for am insurance agency, I won’t pretend to know.
No one I know has ever heard off such a thing. Either they couldn’t handle their current load, or they were lying. Whichever the case, that’s not someone I want handling what tend to be crisis needs.
We took our business to a newer marketplace type of insurer and received excellent rates and coverage. When asked, I would refer folks to the marketplace. But not Palmer. As he was «Not accepting new business».
A few more years pass and I just received a call from Palmer’s office, looking to give me some quotes. I can only assume that not only are they ready to take old clients back on, they genuinely needed the business. I decided to return the call.
After them not being able to locate the solicitor that left the message (30 mins had passed since the call), they figured out I had asked for quotes before and wanted to see if I was still interested. 8 years after our last contact. I informed that not only was I not, but I proceeded to recount this story and how that they blew it so badly, a second chance would not be afforded.
Though cowed, they bravely apologized (kudos for that) and offered one last attempt at a competitive quote. Seeing as neither State Farm nor Chris Palmer ever appear when I search the marketplace for my needs and desired price, I declined their pitch and asked them to remove me from their call lists.
Lest you think I’m hasty with judgment, know that I’ll eat at a restaurant 3 times before a review, I’ll use an automotive garage twice before the same, and am a sucker for a heartfelt apology. But there are times that a business can blow it so badly, that one and done is appropriate.
You folks blew it. I don’t go out of my way to repeat this to others, but when asked, I recount the above. I felt the ridiculous call today warranted a final response.

I have known Chris for a few years now. Anytime I have a question about insurance whether life or auto, I call him. Located right on Main St. in Endwell, it is easy to stop in when I need to without going out of my way. Chris has always provided me with all the information and recommendations necessary to make the best decisions for myself and my family. He does not push, or try high pressure tactics but provides all the options and discusses each one with you. I have always highly recommended Chris Palmer to all of my friends and family, and would not hesitate to do so at anytime.