From the I don’t get it files: I need more info on your listing

by Jay Thompson on May 31, 2009 · Comments

in Random Musings, Real Estate

Here is how a phone call goes that we get multiple times a week:

Caller: Yeah, I need some information on your listing at 123 Main Street.

Me: We don’t have a listing at 123 Main Street.

Caller: Sure you do, I’m looking at a print out from your web site.

Me: Our site shows ALL the homes listed for sale in the Phoenix area, not just our listings.

Caller: Really? Uhm, well, can you tell me the lockbox code for 123 Main Street?

[OK, home buyers and sellers don’t call asking for lockbox codes. I know the answer to this next question…]

Me: Are you working with an agent?

Caller: I am an agent. I’m with a client and he gave me this printout from your web site. And it doesn’t have the lockbox code.

Me: You’re an agent? Lockbox codes aren’t shown on public listings, for obvious reasons. Did you look up the listing in the MLS?

Caller: Uhm no, I just have the printout from my client. We’re in front of the property trying to get in.

[About this time I’m thinking, “Wow, you are an idiot”. But wait….]

Me: Well, is there a for sale sign at the property?

Caller: Yeah, it says it’s listed by John Doe at (insert brokerage name here).

Me: Well, I’m not John Doe, and I’m not with (insert brokerage name here).

Caller: Oh. Well why is this listing on your web site?

Me:  We have an IDX on our web site. It has all the listings on it. See at the bottom of the printout where it says, “Listing provided courtesy of (insert brokerage name here)?

Caller: An ID what? I really just need the lockbox code.

Me: You’ll need to call the listing agent, or look it up in the MLS.

Caller: Can you give me the listing agents number?

Me: It’s on the for sale sign.

Caller: Oh. Yeah. OK, I’ll call him.

Nine times out of ten, the phone will ring about 30 seconds later. That call typically follows this pattern.

Caller: Hey, I just called you. And uhm, the guy on the sign didn’t answer the phone. So I was wondering if you could look up the lockbox code for me?

[About this time I’m thinking, “Why do you expect me to do your job for you?” and more importantly, “I wonder what your client sitting in the front seat of your car is thinking right about now?”]

Me: I really don’t have time to look up a listing for you in the MLS. You should have done that before you went out showing homes.

Caller: Well, I had this printout, so I thought we were good.

Me: But the printout is from my site, not the MLS. It doesn’t have showing instructions, or the listing agents phone number, or whether the home is occupied, or if you need an appointment to show, or if there is an activated alarm, or maybe pet instructions. You know, that sort of thing.

Caller: Oh. Uhm, I really just need the lockbox code.

Me: You’ll have to call the listing agent, or look it up in the MLS.

Caller: But I’m in front of the house, and the listing agent isn’t calling me back.

Me: Well, I suggest you move on to the next home.

Caller: But all I’ve got on that is a printout from your site…

—–

Seriously folks, I’m not making this up. We get calls like this all the time. It’s mind-boggling. It ranks right up there with the people that come to our site to search for homes and in the box that says, “How you found us:” they put “my agent sent me here”.

I don’t get it.


 

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  • Unbelievable, or sadly I do believe it- things that make you go hmmm
  • That's a good one Jay. Probably comparable to the agent who once called me, asking me to provide him with a printout of listings in a particular neighborhood. Turns out, he wasn't a MLS member.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Mark A.´s last blog post..Remember Me - A Memorial Day Tribute</abbr>
  • Michael
    Couldn't resist the following...

    Tell the showing agent to stop by your place for the info, and sign a contract stating you'll get 1% of the sale for your assistance.

    That will keep them moving along. :)
  • wow, that is nuts Jay. Why do you even pick up the phone the second time around? :)
  • "Why do you even pick up the phone the second time around?"

    Purely for entertainment purposes Drew. ;)
  • Time for a clueless agent "category"!

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Paula Henry´s last blog post..First Time Buyer Opportunity in Indianapolis</abbr>
  • Cathey East
    TOO FUNNY! Kind of makes you wonder how they passed the licensing exam, doesn't it?
  • Ok, that's too funny! It shows how our industry is starting to separate again between those you do tech and those who don't. Consumers are on the Internet and the average age is in their 30's, the average REALTOR is in their 50's.

    Change or this will be you!
  • Amazing... And I just got my first call like that about a week ago. First from a client and the two days later from their agent. I told the client they should be talking to their agent so is it even a surprise the agent then called me asking to find a listing agent's info, etc.? He got a little upset, too, when I refused.

    Really. If your clients are spending time calling other agents you haven't been doing your job well. If you start calling other agents (not in your office) to help you out of a jam it's probably time to consider a new job.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Will´s last blog post..New Canadaline Skytrain Trial Run</abbr>
  • We get those calls too! Ours are mostly the agents that don't belong to MLS. They get in front of the house with their client and then call us (the listing office) to come open it up and ask us to bring a MLS printout and copy of the PDD! Soooo frustrating! I like Michael's suggestion of getting them to sign a contract for 1% of the sale!

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Kristina Cusick´s last blog post..2009 Hurricane Supply Sales Tax Holiday</abbr>
  • K
    Umm. If you're the listing broker, you have a fiduciary responsibility to do what's in the best interest of your client. So, as frustrating as it may be, if someone calls you expressing interest in your client's home....you go let them in and show it. Anything less and you wouldn't be doing what's in the best interest of your client - selling her home....and in violation of both the code of ethics and the law!
  • K, I think they are referring to listings that aren't their listings; i get calls from other brokers thinking that the listing is mine because 'my client saw it on yer website and I have the flyer right here'....they don't even know what IDX is.

    I'm assuming that the reason they are sending their clients to "check out the internet for homes that interest" them is that these brokers aren't even understanding what a broker's website does, how it functions, let alone was IDX is.
  • @Jay - I understand your frustrations and I comend you for being much more polite than I. It seems like ever since I started using DS that I have had the same issues come up about once a month. What is even more crazy is that my broker is consistently getting calls complaining that I am advertising their listings. Of course they are always sitting on the IDX and my broker has to give them the same response. I still do not see how so many could be so lost but then I look to the trade organization and it all makes sense.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>James Wheelock´s last blog post..$90,000 :: 24130 Skywing Ct, Spring TX, 77373</abbr>
  • Wow, makes me appreciate the professionalism of agents with whom I work up here.
  • Jay - like you, I've gotten these types of calls ever since I first brought my idx online (3 yrs ago). The conversation usually follows exactly the same pattern, and like you I can sense by the 2nd or 3rd question that there's an agent on the other end who obviously doesn't do their homework. Fortunately all listings printed from my website clearly show the name of the brokerage with the listing at the bottom, who I refer the agent to for any further info.

    Occasionally when they just ask if it's okay if they can show the property I'll answer "you bet, go right ahead". I do add that it might be courteous to speak with the listing agent prior to accessing the lockbox. :-)
  • Ummmm-hmmmmm. Real life is more unbelievable than fiction. 90% of the time there are most definitely two conversations going on with people like this. The polite one they hear and the inner voice they don't. Thank God people can't read minds....assuming they have one to begin with.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Ken Brand´s last blog post..The Woodlands Community Update - May 29th, 2009</abbr>
  • WOW. That is a person that maybe should consider a carrer change. How do they not know what an IDX is? And HOW in the world did they think it was a great idea to take a client to see a house without calling the actual agent first to find out about dogs, appointments, the LOCKBOX CODE. Dang.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>MaryAnn Knell-Peoria Real Estate´s last blog post..Help for Peoria’s Homeowners</abbr>
  • I don't get as many of these calls as I used to... but I still get them.

    We have two main MLS's in Atlanta, and I used to get calls and emails from this one agent who didn't belong to both - but wanted me to get him the information from the MLS of which he did not belong. After a while, I finally told him that if he called me again about a listing that I did not have - I would call his broker.

    I still can't believe I had to go there.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Doug Quance´s last blog post..In Observance Of Memorial Day</abbr>
  • Yea, I don't get it either. You don't want to belive it, but there are some agents that are just horrible at their carrer choice. Just makes me wonder how in the world they ever sell anyting, help clients buy anything, and for that matter, even get clients. *Shaking head*
  • I agree with Ken.......truth really is stanger than fiction.

    Hopefully the clients will begin to realize that they should just call you in the first place!
  • Okay, I just picked myself up off the floor from this one! Classic stuff Jay. I've had similar calls but not quite up to this level of incompetence! You should video record your side sometime. That would be great for here.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Dale Chumbley´s last blog post..Getaway Sunday: Port of Danger Bay</abbr>
  • Ok.... I get calls from buyers similar but have yet to have an agent do it.... boy that is something to look forward to.... the way my twisted mind works... I could have some real fun.... I would have asked to speak with the buyer to verify they printed it out... and asked them how the showing was going.... that they have my name and number when they are done sitting in the heat.... lol

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Thesa Chambers´s last blog post..The Questions That A Short Sale Bring</abbr>
  • K
    Umm. It's a violation of the code of ethics....intervening an existing agency relationship.
  • Classic example of why we realtors have the reputation of being just above or below the status of a used car salesman! A professional Realtor could have just pulled the listing up on their hand held blackberry!
  • That's too funny. I'm rolling over here. I almost have tears in my eyes. I've had that call several times but I never once thought it could be a buyers agent. I'll have to keep that in mind for the next time someone calls me. Thanks! btw. I visit your site daily. Great inspiration.
  • Jay, A suggestion on how to turn those calls into a profit center. Ask for a credit card number and charge for the Lockbox Lookup Service you provide. The agents usually have no problem paying $20 a pop if they are dumb enough and that sounds like it is the case.
  • ...I get these all the time - I want to tell the caller "can you put your client on the phone for just a second", and then say "get out of the car NOW and I'll come pick you up in just a few minutes, your brain is in danger"
  • With a little tweaking this could be an Abbott and Costello routine. Actually now that I think of it, it does not need a little tweaking at all.

    Humor does arrive from human suffering.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Tom at the Real Estate Bloggers´s last blog post..$1 Million Real Estate Coupon - Thinking Outside The Box</abbr>
  • And the sister call.. on my listings or IDX

    Caller: "I'd like more information on xxxx"

    Me: "That's a great house... in a wonderful neighborhood... blah, blah, blah"

    Caller: "Sounds good, I'd like to see it"

    Me: "Great... Oh, before I forget, who's your real estate agent?

    Caller: "Jane Doe" [They always answer honestly!]

    Me: "Thanks - you're in great hands. I always like to treat people the way I want to be treated, so it's best to call Jane to have her show you the home"

    Caller: "Can't you just show it to me?"

    Me: "I can't... I don't want to jeopardize your representation."

    or, depending upon their response and tonality, or my mood.

    "If you've been delighted with Jane, it's best that she shows it to you, if you're planning to change agents, would be happy to meet with you to show you how we work. Which do you prefer?"

    Caller (Frustration in voice): "I just want to see the house!"

    Me: "I understand. Good luck in your search"

    Other dialogue "We always meet clients for the first time in the office.... I'm available at x or y. Which is better for you?"
  • Ira -

    That is a very well thought out, EXCELLENT dialogue. You have really honed it -- just tremendous; keep it up! Thank you for sharing it!

    Jim

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Jim Zirbes´s last blog post..Open for Business</abbr>
  • I agree with Michael, charge them and they won't be staying for long.

    McKinney Real Estate
    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Ted Jerningan´s last blog post..Gamers on the go</abbr>
  • We get like 2-3 of these calls a week.

    The scary part about this is, THESE ARE THE ONES THAT ACTALLY CALL...

    do you know how many agents are running around with printouts from my websites? with clients who have probably been signed up on my IDX for years? and DONT CALL?

    Thats the scariest part about providing a good service or website to the public is...you cant stop and there will always be abuse.

    I get calls for Directions, Listing info, Lawyers...even sports scores...

    I think some people think we are Chamber of Commerce site and we give FREE HOME TOURS and LOCAL INFO out for free and then get some salary check in the mail.

    Anyone have any suggestions on how to better eductate the clients to this? Is it our fault for in some ways presenting the MLS via our IDX via US?

    It's not an easy thing to avoid...especially when you are very findable.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>brian culhane´s last blog post..Looking for Investment Property? Check Out The Bargins In San Tan Heights</abbr>
  • Sports scores, nice...

    I get calls from people wanting to pay (or contest) their property tax bills. (Stems from a couple of posts I've written on property taxes). If I wouldn't lose my license (and go to jail) I'd just start using paypal to invoice people for their taxes... ;)

    "Anyone have any suggestions on how to better eductate the clients to this? Is it our fault for in some ways presenting the MLS via our IDX via US?"

    Great question. I've tried via this venue to educate people. And we always explain things to our clients. But reaching the general population is difficult. That difficulty is compounded by *agents* that clearly don't "get it". It absolutely floors me how a LOCAL agent willingly refers their clients to another local agents site. How does that conversation go?

    "You should search for homes on this guy's site, because frankly I either 1) don't have a web site; or 2) my site sucks."

    ???

    And if I'm a client, and my agent sends me to another agent's site, wouldn't I take a moment to say, "Hmmmm...."
  • I think people think that I'm the area information center. They call me all the time with random questions and don't understand when I don't know the times for events off the top of my head like I'm sitting at a deck getting paid by the visitors bureau.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Daniel Bates - McClellanville Realtor´s last blog post..2009 Hurricane Season Begins…and I need your help</abbr>
  • Jay - I love Dale's suggestion of you recording your side of the conversation. A video would show the true shock and horror on your face as you realize just what the call is about. Amazing conversation, hope I don't have it anytime soon.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Matt Stigliano´s last blog post..Spring Vistas Subdivision - San Antonio TX</abbr>
  • This is amazing, I can't believe some *agents* actually do things like this. It's pity you have to deal with on a daily basis, I wouldn't have as much patience as you do.

    Southlake Real Estate
  • Jay,

    To use my daughter's vernacular... "OMG" you had me cracking up at "Can you tell me the lockbox code for..."

    However, there really is a much more serious problem here...
    There really should be a much stringent requirement for a real estate license or at least an mls key....seriously if this agent doesn't even know the basics would the public want him opening and going through their house? Having their alarm code? What if the homeowner is home and doesn't want an agent at their front door - or worse in the shower when the agent comes barging in their house without an appointment or heed to showing instructions? These 'agents' don't know the first thing about our code of conduct or ethics or standards they should NOT have a license.

    Thanks for the chuckle...sort or...wish it didn't happen.

    Tony Arko - you have a new follower on twitter...that was also hilarious! (see above)
  • Arnold Semmons
    This sounds to me like a scam to get the lockbox code and then burglarize the house. I would never give that code over the phone to an unknown caller. I can't believe an authentic real estate agent would make such a call.
  • Arnold - if it didn't happen with such regularity, I'd be inclined to agree with you. And that's one reason we don't use lockboxes that requires codes. All our lockboxes are electronic, which require the agent to have a electronic key to access them.

    I would never give the access code to another agent's listing. There are scammers out there....
  • OMG I was cracking up this happens to me all the time but seeing it in print is really funny - not really it's actually quite sad.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Cindy Knight´s last blog post..Happy Mother's Day</abbr>
  • I dont think it is an agent making the call, (hopefully not) I think it is someone off the street getting the listings off the sites and going to the vacant homes and collecting appliances or what ever they can.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Brewer Caldwell´s last blog post..Brewer Caldwell is the BEST</abbr>
  • I don't know BC, read any of the other comments and seen how many other agents are reporting similar calls?

    Sure, there are thieves and scammers out there. But there are also a LOT of agents and brokers that simply don't get it. See James Boyer's comment below (#45). I too get calls from irate brokers that I'm "advertising" their listing. Then I explain how the IDX works, and some of them STILL don't get it.

    Believe me, many of these calls come from other agents. I've gotten calls from brokerage offices that are very similar...

    Besides, if a thief wants in a house to steal appliances, the simple fact is they can put their foot through the front door faster than they can get in with a lockbox code. It'd be silly to call for a code, leaving their number on my caller ID. Of course, there are plenty of stupid crooks out there too.
  • I think its both educating the web consumer from the get go, but I also think that this is par for the course, once an agent and an agents RE site start getting "out there" more and more.

    Maybe IDX can put a little caveat on all the listings, and say something like.

    "This listing is being brought to you via an agent who is NOT the listing agent!"

    Its tricky, because in AZ we almost encourage dual agency via having listing agents put signs in yards, but any caveats or conditions we place on the front of a conversations with a buyer with us as buyer agents, puts us at an immediate disadvantage. Or gives the Consumer the impression that we do not have knowledge of that home or that certain market.

    We are having to overcome this hurdle all the time with our team.

    I am coaching my agents to have the DUAL AGENCY conversation at the very begining of the rapport building process...but its always a subtle conversion to go from "the perception" that we are the listing agents...to explaining that we are BUYER AGENTS...and actually represent their best interests.

    Tricky stuff....Jay, I think you have opened up a HUGE can of worms today!

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>brian culhane´s last blog post..Looking for Investment Property? Check Out The Bargins In San Tan Heights</abbr>
  • ok, that is a good one. I usually only get that call from out of area agents. About 1 time a month I get some office broker calling me telling me I am advertising their listings on my site and they will turn me in if I don't stop. My responce is your looking at the IDX, they usually respond back, I don't care what it is, get it off your site. To that I say sorry, no can do, my IDX agreement states that I cannot make any changes to the data feed I get from our MLS.

    Usually they give up at that point, but sometimes they are still a pain about it and I usually instruct them on how to change their listing in the MLS so that it will not show up like that anymore. Of course I also tell them that if they do this their listing will not show up anyplace other then the Realtor visible part of our MLS, to that they just say OH, can't do that, and I say have a great day!!!
  • I love these agents working off the cuff like this. What goes around comes around.

    Recently one of these geniuses decided to show one of my listings that he 'drove by' with his client. Skip the MLS. Skip talking to the seller. Skip the instructions. He went ahead and decided to use his Supra lockbox key and let his client in. He found himself standing in a home with the burglar alarm sounding and police on their way. Nice.

    Best part - he called the alarm company to assure them he wasn't breaking in - he's just a real estate agent. 'Oh well of course...since you say so...."

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Linsey´s last blog post..The Home I Rent Was Foreclosed - When Do I Have to Move?</abbr>
  • Jay, we get this all the time as well. It is one of the negative benefits of having a website so GREAT that other agents have their clients log on to your site to browse for homes, so they can take them out.

    Do they not have staff at the office that can look this up for them, or another friend that is an agent? I really think the best is when they call you BEFORE they go out and look. "Hi this is John Doe from XYZ Realty, and my client has a print out of this home they want to see, your listing ID is 1234567 Could you tell me more about this home" Oh well Lazy Agents make it easier on us in the long run, because we look good when we simply do our job.
  • Wow! Glad I've never gotten one of those calls. Afraid I wouldn't be as patient as you were. However, I do get the phone calls from SEO companies telling me that they can get my website on page one on Google. I ask them how they found me and they usually hang up. That's when I know they found me on Google. Too funny.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Karen Geselle´s last blog post..Homes Sales - April 2009</abbr>
  • Wow, I love it. I have not had one of these calls yet thankfully. This is just funny and sad at the same time.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>David Lorti - Ahwatukee Real Estate´s last blog post..The White House Wants to Paint Your Home White!</abbr>
  • Jay...would'nt the Master be able to somehow convert a call like this into a referral? or possibly even taking over of the client? LOL

    that would make for a good ending to this story!!

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>brian culhane´s last blog post..South Chandler Real Estate</abbr>
  • Taking over the client would of course be a no -no.

    I have had agents that call like this ask about joining our brokerage. Funny, I've never hired a single one. I mean if they are making a call like this, do I want them in my brokerage? (no need to answer that question...)
  • hilarious blog about the crap realtors encounter, thx @phxreguy http://tinyurl.com/ncfr7x
  • It makes you wonder how agents like that even manage to find clients.
  • RT @stevekrzysiak: hilarious blog about the crap realtors encounter, thx @phxreguy http://tinyurl.com/ncfr7x <- Yes, this happens a LOT!
  • Jay, at the end of the day the customer that gave the listing data sheet from your IDX link to that caller may well wish they had called you directly. Lord knows, they did someone to help them buy a house. But, they are with a REALTOR and not a real estate agent. ;-)

    I stand by my comments made on your earlier article, "Where to Search for Homes Online" (sorry, I don't know how to make that a link back to it). I just never realized an agent could sit in front of a house and NOT call the number on the sign when customers seem to do it every day.

    I too have gotten, and still get with my shared listings on P2A web site, calls like that. And, like your other commentor, I have been asked to look up and provide data on the MLS that they don't have access to because they don't pay for it. So, they can "have comps to show their client". Most recently it was from someone who works at the agency that claims to "sell more real estate" than anyone else. I guess this is why the folks at Zillow think so highly of our profession.
  • >Sure, there are thieves and scammers out there. But there are also a LOT of agents and brokers that simply don’t get it. See James Boyer’s comment below (#45). I too get calls from irate brokers that I’m “advertising” their listing. Then I explain how the IDX works, and some of them STILL don’t get it.

    My initial reaction was that this was perhaps someone trying to scam their way in. Not necessarily a crook but just someone who wanted to get in to see the property.

    Do you have centralized showing service or something similar in your area? I my area most listing are serviced by CSS, call them with your agent password and your get showing instructions.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Ned´s last blog post..Help! My Home is going to tax sale.</abbr>
  • Ned - surprisingly, I don't recall ever seeing a listing here using CSS or something similar. Some of the larger brokerages have an "internal" service, but that's it....

    Sadly, given the volume of similar calls we receive, I'm inclined to think it's clueless agents making these calls. With most, you can tell they are agents, albeit agents without a clue.
  • I get these calls ALL the time, from agents and buyers with Buyer's Agents who think I am the listing agent. The buyer calls I can understand, but the agents who call??? The first thing out of my mouth is, "Did you look it up on the MLS?"...the converstions are scarily similar to yours. Sigh. The things we go through as Realtors :-)
  • I also get those calls frequently. If I'm convinced they are a legit Realtor (name & brokerage), I'll help them out if I'm at my desk and I have time my looking up the home in the MLS for them.

    I can certainly envision during a long day of showing, a client saying, "Oh, by the way, last night we found this home online we would like to see, too."

    That's always a tough situation to handle. My responses to my own clients run along; "That home didn't come up in the search we did together so it doesn't meet your criteria." "We can't show a home without looking it up in the MLS, it may already be under contract so the seller doesn't expect any more showings and she could be in the shower... alarm codes, pet instructions, etc." "I can take 5 minutes to look it up in the MLS on my Treo but it likely does not meet your search criteria, even if it is still available."

    When that happens to me, I always think that I didn't do a good job when I first met the clients in explaining how the system works and how we can't do on-the-fly showings. "Hey, there is a for sale sign over there, can we see that home." (A clear "sign" the buyer is not serious.) Usually, my mistake was I assumed they knew the drill and I didn't explain the system the way I would to first-time buyers.

    But some Realtors - no doubt very nice people - are worse than I am about explaining the rules of the game to their clients.

    The more annoying and more frequent calls are buyers who have a buyer's agent but call wanting the listing agent to show them the home. (I got one of those calls while writing this.) Again, the buyer's agent didn't do a good job of explaining the rules of the game to their client.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>John Wake´s last blog post..“How much down payment should I make?”</abbr>
  • I read your funny post yesterday and just had to laugh. However, with that said it does make you wonder (someone mentioned above) if someone isn't trying to get into the home under the neighbor radar.

    What's even more taunting is that if this caller (Realtor) called a like-minded Realtor and they collaborated and the receiver of the call gave the information they were looking for (revert to above paragraph)!! It's very possible that one knuckle-head could encounter another knuckle-head!!

    I'm still laughing after reading the dialog again. But, in all seriousness, it's important to remember several things here:

    1. Don't give out the code or information to another caller/agent over the phone.
    2. Don't put comments in the public remarks of the home being "vacant" or the combo code (which some REO agents use) as I've seen a lot of lately!
    3. If you don't know what a 'freakin' IDX is, then perhaps you should go back to Real Estate school and give it another shot (or not, get out of real estate all together).
    4. If you are sending your buyer to other brokers sites, all I can say is "WOW"... move on now.

    *shaking my head a second time of reading the convo*
  • You guys are a tough bunch!

    I get a couple of calls like that every day. If I am at my desk I will give them the listing agent's phone number, but not the lockbox code. I figure it builds good will with my fellow agents, and it is worth it for that. I make a lot of sales from Buyers who initially think they are calling the listing agent. It's payback for that.

    After talking to the buyers who call me, I find out that some are already working with a buyer's agent who may be out of town etc. I spend a minute, I am friendly and helpful, and don't try to swipe their clients. I actually will give them the listing agents phone number. Then I suggest that they if they call the listing agent, they should tell him that they have a buyer's brokerage agreement and would like to see the house if the listing agent will honor that. If the listing agent won't, I tell them to call their buyer's agent and see if he has some one else in his office who will meet them.

    Why would I do that? I appreciate loyalty with my clients and I encourage it in others. I believe what goes around, comes around. After all that, every once in awhile the buyer tells me that they aren't happy with their current agent anyway, and if I would be willing to show them the house. (then I say sure!)

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Dan Connolly -Atlanta Real Estate Guide´s last blog post..Disclosure: What the seller DOESN'T have to tell you in Georgia</abbr>
  • Dan - I do much of the same. But sorry, if I'm on my cell phone away from a PC, I'm just not going to make a lot of effort to help agents that can't help themselves. (and I'd never give out a gate code or a lockbox code).

    We also get many calls from buyers already working with agents. I help them where I can and wouldn't ever dream of trying to steal them away.

    I'm a big believer in "what goes around comes around". But when faced with utter incompetence, I'm not quite as generous.
  • Agree Jay - "Do unto others" only goes so far.

    We sit on the South Carolina border here, and many agents are licensed in both Georgia and SC, some aren't. I've had South Caralakee agents ask me to show their clients my listings in GA and then pay them the full Buyer's side as a referral fee. This with agents in their own firms licensed in GA.

    My typical response is "so you want me to put your clients under Georgia Buyer Brokerage Agreement with me, then pay you the whole commission on that side while I do all the work? How about 25% instead?" That's if I can stop laughing long enough.....

    Navy Chief, Navy Pride

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Joe´s last blog post..Tax Credit Authorized for 1st Time Homebuyers</abbr>
  • I have gotten a few of those in the past. Its wierd because sometimes they are annoyed. Like its my fault they printed out listings from a website instead of the MLS.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Ki´s last blog post..Austin Real Estate Statistics for April 2009</abbr>
  • It's really amazing that this happens as often as it does. I suppose that's the price we pay for having good quality websites.

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Steve´s last blog post..$615,000 :: 1442 E Caroline Lane, Tempe AZ, 85284</abbr>
  • JohnWake...

    That is some very insightful commentary on this subject....and no question the crux of the issue.

    Educating and Informing our clients....is Job #1

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>brian culhane´s last blog post..MountainBrook Village in Gold Canyon, AZ</abbr>
  • Great stuff Jay. Fun to see what the real estate agents get to deal with before it enters into my world on the mortgage side.

    Steve

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Steve Lines´s last blog post..Top 10 Reasons College Graduates Should Use FHA Loans to Buy a House</abbr>
  • PB
    If I was sitting in the car or next to this person as this conversation went down...

    That person would be fired. I'm surprised that this happens multiple times to you...but wait...no, I'm not.
  • THIS JUST IN
    "Message:I have a buyer for this hosue....when can we see it?"

    THIS JUST OUT
    Hi xxxxxx – best to check the MLS for showing instructions – you’re on my IDX site and I’m not the listing agent

    Good luck

    Ira

    Yes - out of area agent from a very expensive area. Wait till her buyers find out the neighborhood is zoned M-60.

    As in machine gun.

    Really - not far from it there was automatic fire a few nights ago.

    Just another reason why buyers should use agents who know the neighborhoods.
  • It is just amazing how many agents out there don't seem to know how to do their job. And for Ira's comment-WOW-yes, that client needs to RUN to another agent that knows the area.
  • That would be one of the moments where stabing yourself in the eye would be more enjoyable than trying to explain to the guy on the phone that he needs to be a better prepared agent and that you ARE NOT the listing agent, he just used your site's MLS search to find the house...sigh.
  • I just got this same call last night! Spot on!
  • I recently changed my idx so that you have to sign on first. Our MLS is supposed to be "proprietory", not something we give away...

    I've even had a couple of idiot agents sign onto MY idx to get addresses, and when I "cancel" them, they sign back on! One "lady" went back and forth like this 5 times! I'll tell you, she was DETERMINED!

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Jim Gatos´s last blog post..Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Jackson</abbr>
  • chrisincalgary
    I get similiar things as well, but not to this extreme. My site REALESTO.com ranks well in the search engines and it blows me away how many REALTORS, who are in this profession for a living don't understand how our own mls works. Unbelievable.
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