Do you really know who you're talking to?

I don't think that has ever happened to me, but I would have made sure I had their phone number and told them I would call right back, and after a few minutes would have tried setting up an appointment with them at my office to see where the conversation went from there.

I don't have any problem with a client "testing" me since--as at least one response notes above--I try to give all clients my best service. As for "investing" money . . . that's a different matter.

Let me go one step further and suggest that WE ought to test out any services we're using. I learned that lesson a long, long time ago (pre-real estate days) when I hired an answering service. I did a large mailing, but received no response. Odd, but possible. Finally, a week or so later, someone called and did leave a message. I called back. The caller informed me that whoever had answered the phone was rude, arrogant, and just plain nasty. I apologized, then tried the number myself. My caller was right.

The answering service I use now tapes all calls, so I can listen to them.

Someone else mentioned here that her client had called the office, spoken to whoever was on desk duty, and that person didn't bring up her listing. Hey, good idea. Try that with your listings. Listen to how prospective buyers are--or aren't--being helped.

I'm acquainted with someone who's a "secret shopper." They go to fast food outlets, quick oil change places, and so on to test them out. (It doesn't pay great, but you can get a free oil change, free food, and a few extra bucks for your efforts.) But the "problem" is that these places pretty much already have service down to a science. I sure wish some other stores--those with poor and erratic service--cared enough to use the same techniques.

But I see nothing wrong--and a lot right--with monitoring the people we pay money to, to make sure we're getting the level of service we expect and are entitled to. And for that reason, I don't fault a client for putting us, or our companies, to the test.

Yes, it is kind of like a secret shopper. I am sure that you passed the test. Nice that the sellers have so much confidence in you, huh?

BB~ Loved this post...and the "incredibly handsome" photo of you =)...Many blessings to you and TLW in 2010.

ROFL!!!  I can't say that I've had this happen to me, but I'm going to always be thinking now "could this be my sellers callin??" each time I take a call on a listing.  Better watch what you say! LOL

I had a wierd situation once on a rental, but if my sellers called me in disguise I never picked up on it...

I had a wierd situation once on a rental, but if my sellers called me in disguise I never picked up on it...

Too funny, Bryant.  I have thought about the possibility before and I guess you just never know so it is always good to do our due diligence to our sellers!:)

You should let your seller know that he shouldn't be paying any money up front for a loan modification.  There is a lot of fraud going on where the scam artists are taking money up front promising the distressed homeowners with loan mods and then walking. 

DeeDee

This type of call should be no problem. If we do our job as we should, then most sellers will be happy. If they are not, then we are probably in a relationship that is not going to work anyway.

I had a listing once which was the 2nd time on the market for the home.   When at the listing appointment the seller said "I called once on my own home and was given a different agent then my own, and she was rude!!".

Needless to say I believe this happens :-)

Don't worry, Broker Bryant, the paranoia will go away in a couple of years - once all of the loan adjustments, short sales, and foreclosures have been dealt with.

I don't know how many of our seller clients have done this, but I've had "friends" call the office to check up on how well our new agents and floor duty agents know our listing inventory!  Is that bad?  Does TLW need to crack that whip on my hide?

BB - Yup, not sure if it actually happen but I have actually wondered the same thing. Being that I come from a long history of jobs ion the customer service field I am fully aware of the concept of mystery shopping and call monitoring.  Anything is possible.  But, if we are doing our jobs as Realtors we have nothing to worry about.

Many years ago in my area, a seller called his isting office and pretended he was a buyer. He got an agent in the office who proceeded to tell him how bad the house was and how much nicer her listing down the street was. Talk about the crap hitting the fan. The amazing part of the story was that she wasn't fired. I would have had her ass out the door post haste.

i've never had this happen but it doesn't surprise me.  People are so suspicious.  I speak to everyone the same way so it wouldn't matter who it was.

I've never had anyone check up on me, to my knowledge. I wouldn't know if I should be worried or not? If they are calling to check on you, does that mean they may not be confident in your abilities? I guess the good news is as a real estate professional if they call and check on you, after a short conversation I think they would feel good about you representing the sale of their home. It sounds like you handled the situation well. 

I think I had a "friend" of a seller call me, who I met in person at a later date.  I told them that they seemed very familiar and when asked if we met/spoke before they became visibly uncomfortable.  

i have had the sellers brother called me....they both spoke with a heavey accent...but what kind of seller ask to borrow money from thier agent

How on earth did you not start laughing?  Especially after the lapse back into the man's voice-- I think I may have lost it then.  Very funny-- thanks for sharing!