Special offer

Misleading Advertising

By
Real Estate Agent with Tangletown Realty

The following e-mail came to my box today.  Normally spam is a quick delete for me but MLS Membership Services seemed official, especially since our dues statements were sent this week via e-mail.  I figured I better open this to make sure I hadn't missed an additional charge of some kind from the MLS.  Much to my surprise the flyer which you can view by going to the link is what displayed in my e-mail.  In many areas this might not be annoying, but our MLS just recently disallowed members from using the term MLS in relation to searching listings on any of our marketing or in our domains.  There is a company in town called the TheMLSOnline.com.  They were allowed to be "grandfathered" in and can continue use of the domain name.  However, this ad appears to be a lead generator.  For as little as $25/mo. I can get leads from one of the only companies in our area that doesn't have to follow the MLS rules!  Talk about ironic.

From: MLS Membership Services [mailto:sales@mlsonlinesales.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2006 2:42 PM
To: MLS Online
Subject: MLS Membership Services

 
To View the Entire Promotion Please Click on the following Link: http://mlsonline.com/emails/email_090606.html Thank you,MLSonline, Inc.
 
 
2/8/08 Update:  I was contacted by the company who sent the above e-mail and informed that the Minnesota company that can break the MLS rules is "TheMLSOnline.com which is different from the company that sent this e-mail.  This e-mail is from a lead generator who is located in California.

Comments (3)

Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Now mlsonline.com is a lead aggravator too!  Priceless.

Sep 24, 2006 12:46 AM
Anonymous
Teresa Boardman
I talked to hugh about this at the RMLS.  He says they can not  use MLS and have links to minnesota even if they are from a different state.  I'll send him the link.
Sep 24, 2006 03:04 AM
#2
Anonymous
Mina

I was amazed on how bold people are getting these days. What was ironic that I actually had a lady calling me to get my credit card # in order to purchase the membershipWow.

 

Jan 04, 2007 06:50 AM
#3