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RUH ROH! I think you messed up!

By
Real Estate Agent with BlueCoast Realty Corporation

RUH ROH!  I think you messed up!

Interesting conversation yesterday.  A Buyer Client informed me, without my asking, why they had chosen to work with me instead of one of the other agents they had contacted.

"You know what, it came down to you and one other agent and for all intents and purposes you were equal.  We had a good rapport with him and felt like he could help us find the right home.  But then he started bad-mouthing other agents in the area, even some in his own office!  Sounded like desperation or arrogance and we can't stand either, so we decided to work with you."

Image of surprised faceWhat did Thumper's mommy tell him?  Seems this agent either hasn't seen the movie or has forgotten the golden rule.

Why are there so many in our ranks who feel it's not only okay, but necessary to disparage other agents?  Has this worked for them in the past?  What is being gained?  Do you really think you're making yourself look better than the agents you're talking about?

I get, that to some degree, we're in competition.  There are only so many Buyers, and we're all just trying to make a living.  But when we disparage one another, we're hurting ourselves as much -- actually, I think more, than we're hurting the other guy. 

How about just letting folks know what YOU can do for them?  Show them with your words and actions what sets you apart from all the other agents.  Most people don't really care about your personal opinion of other agents, they're only concerned with what you can do for THEM.  They're smart enough to figure out who's really capable and professional.  They really don't need your help with that.  Besides, if you'll speak badly of one of your peers, what will you say about your Clients?  Give it some thought; and CUT THAT OUT!

In this instance an agent lost the chance to work with some great Buyers.  He didn't lose the opportunity because he wasn't capable, he lost it because he mistakenly thought he could win them over by speaking poorly of others.  RUH ROH!

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When you're ready to buy or sell a home in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach or Kure Beach NC, give me a call.  Lets work together to achieve your goals!

Tish Lloyd, REALTOR®

Broker

NC Real Estate Lic. 269076

Realty World Cape Fear

1119-A Military Cutoff Road

Wilmington NC 28405

910.547.1446


 
  

 
 
 
 
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Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ
Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

Tish,

Met with a FSBO on Thursday. She told me an agent from my office did the same a year before but was such a negative, bossy person. My response? "That doesn't sound like her, perhaps it was just a misunderstanding."  The upshot is I'm going back when the husband returns from a business trip...

May 07, 2011 12:51 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Tish,

What a timely post. I hear other agents do this and it does not reflect well on them and can turn around a bite them in the %$#@! Congrats on the featured post..well deserved!

May 07, 2011 01:12 AM
Kelowna Real Estate Lew MacDonald Realty Match
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube - Kelowna, BC

I heard Joe Stumpf say Only speak when your words will improve upon the silence.

Lew MacDonald

May 07, 2011 01:20 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Irene ~  Way to go!

Dorie ~  Thanks -- we're all in this together and let's face it:  We need each other!

Lew ~  Sage advice; thank you,

May 07, 2011 02:14 AM
Robin Dampier REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

Thanks to Lew MacDonalds re-blog or I would have missed your fine post.  It is never, never a smart move speak badly of a fellow agent to a client/customer, it sounds churlish and unprofessional.  You provide the services you promise and exceed them and words aren't needed to prove how you are better than another.  Like others have said I either speak very well of other agents if their name comes up or simply say I don't really know them.

Sue of Robin and Sue

May 07, 2011 02:19 AM
Victoria Frieberg
Rush Point Realty LLC, Victoria Frieberg, broker - Rush City, MN
Realtor, Broker, Rush Point Realty LLC

I picked up a lovely home from a very irrate homeowner last month for the same reason...we had both done our presentations, and the second agent told the owner I had no idea how to work with a short sale, without having any idea if I had done any!  As my presentation was pretty concise on what it would take to get through one, with no icing on the cake, the owner called and told me to report that agent as soon as we were done writing it up!

May 07, 2011 02:24 AM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

Good post.  Sometimes a silent pause can be just as effective as a thousand words...

May 07, 2011 02:56 AM
Dianne Deming
RE/MAX Realty Group - Rehoboth Beach, DE

I completely agree with you.  If you can't attract clients on your own merit, then you don't deserve to work in this business.

May 07, 2011 04:40 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Oh wow....I never say anything bad about a particular agent, but I do talk in generalities about how some agents behave. What a full representation should be, that kind of thing.

May 07, 2011 05:41 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Tish, not only does the bad mouth make this agent look unprofessional, but it seems like any time anyone bad mouths a colleague, it deos somehow manage to get back to the subject.  Bad mouthing just gives the culprit bad breath.

May 07, 2011 05:43 AM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Great post, Tish.  Why badmouth?  Personally, I don't care for people who do that in any situation. 

May 07, 2011 06:20 AM
April Hayden-Munson
Brookfield, WI
Brookfield Wisconsin Real Estate

Tish - Some folks just don't play well in the sandbox.  Very interesting that they don't see their own behavior as an issue!

May 07, 2011 05:14 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Tish - It doesn't make good sense to disparage other agents on so many different levels.

May 08, 2011 09:29 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Sue ~  Appreciate your input!

Victoria ~  Proof positive that bad-mouthing another is a sure way of shooting yourself in the foot!

Gary ~  Excellent point!

Dianne ~  Spot on!!!

Karen ~  Understood -- sometimes our "Silence" speaks volumes.

Patricia ~  Bad breath, indeed!!!

Juli ~  I'm with you!

April ~  Isn't that a most amazing phenomenon . . .

Christine ~  Just negative on every level.

 

 

 

May 08, 2011 09:51 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

When you are interviewing for anything, you never, ever say anything bad about co-workers, other people and in our business other agents and past buyers. A client doesn't want to be the one talked about next if they should do something wrong.

May 08, 2011 01:01 PM
Donald Reich
Madison Specs - New Rochelle, NY
Cost Segregation Specialist

ALWAYS Act Professionally

May 09, 2011 01:09 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Todd ~  Exactly!!!

Donald ~  Amen.

May 09, 2011 01:52 AM
Adam Mallory
eBroker Real Estate 619-566-ADAM - San Diego, CA
Broker, ABR, e-Pro

Even if you overlook the ethics violations it still comes down to the fact that folks are rarely interested in becoming involved in other people's drama.  They've got enough in their own lives.  No need for additional negativity.

 

May 09, 2011 06:30 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Adam ~  Love the Avatar!  You are so right -- no need for drama and negativity!  Life's toooooooooo short!

May 09, 2011 07:36 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I had this situation today...so weird. I thought, I was very friendly with that agent, but she turned around and used the opportunity to spread rumors. Why? Someone is nice to you and you want to be more important by bad mouthing 'your kind'?

Funny thing about rumors, it is often clear very soon who started them. Fortunately, most of us do what they must do and not interested in 'games of shallow personalities'.

I understand, sometimes you can say something in anger or frustration( we all do mistakes), but if one does it for sake 'of talking'~ just so stupid:(

Jun 11, 2012 08:08 PM