Unprofessional behavior happens in every profession and we see it every day. We see it at the grocery store checkout, we see it at doctor's offices, hospitals, tire places, car dealerships, lawyers, school teachers and the list goes on and on....but when we see it in real estate....why should I be surprised? For that matter why should anyone be surprised?
Here's why....we are a service business. Customers hire us directly....we are interviewed, we present ourselves openly to the public that we represent a certain standard. We have rules that we agree too if we join certain organizations within our profession. Membership into those organizations is not mandatory and thus not everyone submits to the national "code of ethics". So those that are not members...are they free to act as they wish without scrutiny? Some what that is true. Especially small independent brokerages or one man shows. They have to act within the law but do they have to abide by the "code of ethics"? NO. Should they? YES, and most do because they have to work harder to capture clients because of the lower advertising and marketing dollars they spend....they can not spend or garner the recognition of national franchises or long established regional brokerages.
So why would anyone make an appointment to show a property and be a "NO SHOW"? The client changed their mind on seeing the property. OK. The client or Realtor became ill. OK. They client purchased another home on before getting to the next showing. OK. Any number of reason can cause a showing to fall through....BUT 99% of the time we have the ability to call the listing agent that we secured the showing with and cancel so the sellers do not have to vacate the property....go through the expected preparation ritual for the showing that is not going to happen. That is what most of us would do and expect.
Why would you ever think you could put another agent or seller through "NO SHOWS" and think it is no big deal? It hurts our profession, it hurts your reputation if you have one, it hurts your future business with the agent(s). Clients remember your name or company and remind others of your actions whenever the subject comes up....
I just had this happen and it reminded me of how little we can do to correct poor behaviour in our ranks. We can apologize and remind our clients that not all Realtors are the same and do not even subscribe to the same rules of ethics or business practices. We can shake our heads with the clients and make sure that agent doesn't show the property or any of our listings again....especially when the response when you call to see what happened is...I forgot I was to busy, anyway what is the big deal it was just a showing. Just a showing! This inconsiderate agent does takes this behavior throughout their business....would like to get a contract or be represented by and agent with this attitude that smiles and looks like the real thing only to find out the agent is pretending to be a professional....We never know what is behind the smiles...it could be a pretender that hurts all of us. I took the time to write a letter to the local board this agent is affiliated with...why because this is offensive behavior and my sellers deserve more, our profession deserves more.
The act of writing the letter may not impact the agent on this occasion, but if and when the behavior become more blatant my letter helps establish a pattern which can be used as a sum total to weight ethics and practices.
What do you think about "NO SHOWS", NO CALLS? My thoughts, our profession deserves better and I can only create better by example.
Comments(26)