Should a Buyer's Agent charge their client for expenses when buyer pulls out of market???

Hi LaDawn, earning straight commisson for the past 39 years doesn't allow me much sympathy for the billing agent's action but, if there was a contact envolved then a contract is a contract.

That's ridiculous.

I parted ways with some Buyers recently, and honestly hope I don't hear from them again. We went out at least six different evenings over a 2-month period (my car, my gas, my time, my planning, my mapping, my appointment-making & scheduling). We wrote a contract on one home and they changed their mind. We wrote a contract on a 2nd home a month later, and they decided not to counter a perfectly good counter-offer. I probably DO have 50 hours invested, but would never consider sending a bill. I missed something -- didn't read something correctly, but I'm going to chalk it up to one of the many hazzards of our business and move forward. However, if they call me to begin shopping again, I may ask for a retainer!

Having been in the business so long, I have now realized that our world is so small.  Deals that were or were not made 10-20-30 years ago come back to your face at a point in time.  I make sure that every deal or non deal ends very peacefully.  If a buyer or a seller backs out on a contract.....I will bite my tongue.  In about half of such incidences acting that way has allowed me to refer the clients to another agent I know.  This just happened to one of my agent 2 weeks ago.  The agent will get 25% and is happy; the other agent is happy; and most importantly the client is happy.  If I were to do what that agent you were referring to did in my area of town, my name would toast.......

I truly believe you have to be a politician to be in this business.  So you are running for Mayor and someone burned you; what would you do?

So how did the buyers feel about the bill?  Were they upset or are they going to pay the bill without a fight?

What does the buyer's agreement say, is there an expiration date? 

I recently had a disappointing experience with customers I have been working with for a year.  Even though I was frustrated with the situation I would never think to send them a bill.  Maybe a Buyers Agreement would solve these issues.  I'm with Lori and Tim.

Huh, I never billed a client.  There have been some clients who have really wasted a lot of my time and money.

This is why there are alternative business models out there.  If she wants to bill them $3600 for her time and services why shouldn't she?  The problem is since her fees were not outlined up front she will have a hard time collecting the money.  If she had an upfront hourly contract pluses expenses they wouldn't have been surprised.  What I question is why three contracts feel apart at inspection?  That seems excessive!