Home : Blogs : Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® : Hawaii Randy's Blog

Why Publicly Write About Bad Agents or Bad Business Practices?

Yesterday, while going through my e-mail I had a message from a really great client who found me through Active Rain. Towards the end of his message he stated:

"It seems business is good based on your blog. I still read it regularly. Keep up the great stories, especially the ones about the bad agents. Makes me feel all the more appreciative I found a good agent when I bought my place!"

The public is reading our posts. Why should we be writing about bad agents and posting it publicly? Some may say we are airing our dirty laundry. Some may say you are hurting the reputation of the profession. I feel it is just the opposite. I have sure written more than my share of posts about this and similar topics.

In this post I have decided to list some of the benefits of posting these topics publicly. Do we do it to say how great we are? Or is there a much better reason?

Here are a few of the benefits I that come from writing about bad agents or bad business practices.

We start a discussion among professionals that help us all learn and improve our business practices.
It is a vehicle for new agents to learn their trade through the experiences of other agents.
It is a wonderful way of educating the public so they know what to watch out for when dealing with those in the real estate profession.
It keeps these issues top of mind with agents when they are conducting business. Hopefully helping them from repeating others mistakes.
It provides the public with questions to ask of any real estate professional when interviewing them.
The more open we are, the more the public can trust us. We will also be dealing with more educated clients.
It is a great way for potential clients to check us out and learn more about our business practices.
Hopefully we are helping to raise the level of professionalism in our trade and the level of expectations from the public.

That last one may get a few questioning me. Why would you want to raise the level of expectations from the public? The answer is simple, we as professionals take pride in what we do and know that an informed public will gravitate towards us and avoid those who are not so professional. Education for both us and the public is a good thing in my mind.

In the future I will continue to write about professional standards, ethical business practices and bad agents and bad business practices. I will also right about the good agents and good business practices.

For the next week I may not be as active here. The next two days I will be taking the Luxury Homes Designation Course (CLHMS) in Waikiki with Sharon Simms and Tami Simms-Powel.

Next week we will be hosting the CRS Sell-a-bration in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village with many of the top REALTORS® in the country in town. Tied to that event will be the Honolulu Active Rain Gathering on Monday evening 1/28/08. We have room for a few more people so please contact either Randy Prothero or WooHoo Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman.

Posted by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® on 01/24/2008 03:09 AM

Comments (62)

real estate etchics, real estate, real estate agent, professionalism, blog, blog posts

Originally posted at: Hawaii Randy's Real Estate Opinions: Why Publicly Write About Bad Agents or Bad Business Practices?

This post has been included in Hawaii Information
Post is included in group: Certified Residential Specialists

62 Comments on Why Publicly Write About Bad Agents or Bad Business Practices?

JAN

2008

Great list, Randy. I agree that when done correctly it can be a benefit. The biggest two being education of other agents, sometimes new - sometimes not and alerting the public that certain behavior outrages us as well. We're not all used car salesmen.

Jesse & Kathy - I have found most agents to be conscientious and honorable.

There are many part time agents in our business that just do not have the training or the time to properly service their clients. Then there are a small minority who are just unethical.

I enjoyed reading this post. In any profession, we will find those who do not work competently (sometimes consistently and sometimes on occasion), so trying to encourage the best out of us all is always the way to go.

I am always concerned about airing dirty laundry. I usually do agent -bashing under
"members only." The one time I talked about competence generally I got an AR meanie telling me I was violating anti-trust because REALTORS were in charge of the listings in question (it was about Foxton's.) You have to be very careful how you approach the topic...though I agree, if done correctly, it can be very helpful to your business and clients.

So right, blogs are about everyday occurences whether they are good or bad, it is a way of reaching out to the public and letting them know your personality. The public gleans who you are through your writing. If those bad agents do not like the publicity change their ways!

Hi Randy

I think your approach is novel and your reasons well founded. I have always your straight forward "tell it like it is" approach. As professionals involved in multiple transactions we see on a regular basis more than the average person who may have only one or two transactions; on which they base their opinion of the profession as a whole.

Due to the exponential nature of our business, and referrals for instance, a good experience can be as beneficial as a bad one. Therefore writing about a "bad apple" can be construed as "good public service". If it is working for you that is great! Have fun in Hawaii!

RP,

You`ve confirmed everything I`ve written in the past about A/R being a great source as a Business Network.

Thanks,,,

Post their names and faces in the post office. Until the public has had a bad experience they don't always know who to use.

Randy, Active Rain is a great source of information for agents and the public. I think that the overall perception of agents can change for the better here when the public sees the overall high standards agents try to achieve. There are good and bad in every occupation, and people are aware of this. Pointing out the bad only helps to inform.

Randy,

I agree. I think you should keep writing about professional standards.

I would rather the public know that not all Realtors(R) are bad....the proof is in the pudding. I wish I could be there take take the course and to meet you....I already met Sharon...shes a great lady...I'm sure she will teach you a few things...have fun...Hopefully I'll be in Naples next month finishing my CRS designation...i had to put my last class on hold.

Randy, I think we all need to remember the Code of Ethics when it comes to agent bashing. I agree we do need to be as professional as we can, and it's true that some agents should not be allowed in anyone's door! I love the fact that we can get all the education that's out there.

When you write about education and ethics you have my full attention. You write what's in my heart, but you say it much more eloquently. :-)

Randy, have fun, take lots of pictures so we can see them. One final thought, yes they are reading.

There is a difference between writing about bad agents and practices in order to teach and writing to bash. Bashing just isn't nice but I do think the public can appreciate us more when they are aware of what the proper process really is.

Randy, i fully agree about the readership. I had some one call me about an issue and how to handle it. If it is your style write it.

Randy - Yes the public is reading and so are other agents. Yesterday an agent told me he read my blog all the time.

Randy, I certainly agree with you in principle and in application. I would just add one note and that is that the writing is put forth from an objective point of view and not be of a "bashing" nature. It really should have a clinical aspect and teaching perspective. That way we all benefit and it truly does raise the bar and meet all the very good criteria you have set forth. You do this well and we all benefit. Thanks for this good post! Have a fun time and bring back stories and photos for us. We really enjoy that!

Thanks Randy, I don't agree with agent bashing but it does have the ability to teach others. Can we use situations with no names to keep the classroom open to everyone?

Randy, This is another one of those things that is all about the presentation. When writing about the negative aspects of our business we have to stay focused on the "action" not the REALTOR(R). And you do that well.

Randy - What you say makes plenty of sense. Bashing an agent and similar activity is wrong, and possibly a COE problem, but educating each other and the public about appropriate behavior and such makes sense. Isn't it another form of transparency about our industry? One of the great things about AR is the ability to learn and be educated.

Gettin' excited about coming to Hawaii tomorrow!

Jeff

Randy

You bet they read them; I found that out in a strange way.

Hope all is well.

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is nothing new.

Besides, if they are on the Internet, it's not hard to find the bad and the ugly. The Good News about ethical real estate practices is front and center on ActiveRain.

We should all be careful what we say, regardless if it is in a forum like this, or casual conversation.

We should be doubly careful about comments on others blogs. I had a prospect call me. When I asked how she found me, she said AR and she liked the COMMENTS people made on my posts.

Knowing that the public is reading our posts should make us ever more diligent - to post useful information that has value to the public. Good job, sir.

Frank - Well said

Ruthmarie - I agree

Russ - Hopefully we will encourage them to either change their ways or find another line of work.

Allison - Thank you. It is hard to not have fun in Hawaii.

Scott - You are welcome and thanks for being one of the agents who openly discusses ethics and professional behavior.

Terry - I have made a point of never posting names or company names. I do share them with the agents and brokers in my office.

Peggy - I think informing the public is important.

Mike - I think that is a discussion that should never end.

Neal - I am looking forward to meeting Sharon.

Linda - I think giving the circumstances without publishing their names keeps it educational and not bashing.

Missy - They are reading, the proof is the number of contact messages I get from clients through Active Rain.

Virginia - I agree completely.

Frank R. - Thank you, I plan to keep on writing.

Jennifer - That is a big compliment.

Jeanean - Thanks for reminding me to put the camera in my pocket.

Latonia - I never use names unless it is for a pat on the back.

Broker Bryant - Thank you.

Jeff - I am looking forward to meeting you in person.

Tom - They sure do.

Lenn - So true.

Jim - It is always important to remember that not only what we write will be out for the public to see, it will be there for many years to follow.

Gary - We also want to be sure our facts are right.

Randy - Consumers want valid information and that includes telling them what they should avoid. Knowledge is a powerful tool.

Norma - Very True

Randy, Great post and I agree with you. Self-serving aside, I quite like #6 & #8 the best. Our industry needs it.

Marc - I also like those two picks. Thank you.

Randy I agree. Who better to expose the bad apples than those of us who are in the Industry and understand how things should be done? Also it lets those in the public that have had bad experiences know that is not the norm and that there are those of us in this business that take pride in what we do and expect better from others in our profession.

George - Good point

The more we educate the public the better it is for all of us. Whether it is good about the industry or bad it must be said. It will also protect the public from making costly mistakes and then blaming all of us for how the real estate professionals are all out to get them.

Bronson - Hopefully the part of the public who read these posts will see that most of us are out there trying to protect them.

it makes us more real Randy, to talk about the bad as well as the good. I think it's a good thing and also plan on writing about both the good and the bad.

Monika - We can also add the ugly to that list :)

Randy - I've never classified your posts as Bashing - you're describing situations, or situations and how to handle them. That's educational for both agents and the public.

JAN

2008

Randy - I agree that bashing has no place on a blog or public - however, the truth of what the diffenece beteween a good agent and a bad educates and sometimes you have to tell the story to help the public know why you are a great agent - and why they need to be careful who they use even if it is not you - they know what to watch for.... that is my two cents anyway - and you do not bash - you do educate

I have not directed at any particular agent...nor mentioned names (which you did not either) and it was in good taste to help others with seeing the difference in thinking and how we conduct and perceive our biz. I just read a story on how an agent sent out her client to Open Houses only to have the agent there bash her and say that she could get them a better deal, commission discussion and so forth. Wow....I couldn't believe it. This is as the real world and if we can educate the public on scenarios ...they can watch out for certain things in the transaction to beware of. As long as it's in good taste .... I had an agent call me and ask if my post was about the person. I said not really...just pointers to look out for. Talk about guilt trip :)

Sharon - Thank you for the kind words.

Thesa - Mahalo (Thank you in Hawaiian)

Sally - Possibly you may have educated that agent with the bad behavior.

JAN

2008

Randy - we haven't posted on this topic much, if at all. Mostly we write about our local market. Seems like a lot of our posts also poke fun at the media. Your article here is a good idea and the points well taken. Like the idea of agents and business practices that need to improve. One of the key things is agents and brokerages that put out numbers spun with their "list-with-me" agenda.

hope all of you are having a great time at CRS do. We went to the one in San Antonio a few years back. Still think CRS is the certiication for any of us to have.

best

Gary - Of the certifications I have the CRS is by far the most beneficial. Even though I already have the designation, I still attend events and classes. I think that is the one thing that sets CRS apart from the others.

JAN

2008

The way I see it, the problem with posting one side of a "bad agent" story is just that, it's one side of the story. We and the public would be better served by reading the decisions of ethics/professional standards tribunals. Because they've made their decision after hearing both sides of the story. And we all would see that it does pay to adhere to the process and file a complaint.

JAN

2008

Larry - If you have any of those stories I would look forward to reading them.

Randy, great post! I feel exactly the same as you do!

JAN

2008

Randy- I have found your stories "educational".....and many times I pray I never get into a situation as some of the ones you've described.

****Have a good time at your trainings, and tonight you are at the AR Party.....Hope it was a good time by all.

Jim - Great minds think alike.

Kathy - The AR gathering was a blast.

JAN

2008

Randy I only post bad practices publicly when I can do so in ageneral and not attack any agent personally, but your reasons for doing it are excellent, Karen

JAN

2008

Karen - I never post names.

FEB

2008

First of all I agree with you that the public should be educated and secondly I believe that as a professional we should raise the bar on the quality of service and professionalism we use in our business. That is the only way we will shed the bad impression some have of Realtors.

Sally - I think that open discussions of ethical and professional behavior and standards not only serves to educate the public, but will help with their trust of us also.

We all run into bad apples in our line of work. I do think it is right to let the other agent know that you don't like how he/she does business, but I don't agree with public bashing. That being said, you should let your clients know that not all agents are created equal & that you provide this and that above and beyond the call of duty. Talking about ethics and spreading the word is a great way to educate as well-but we all know, some of these idiots will never change.

Michael - Many will not change, so we need to deal with them in ways to better protect the public.

Right on Randy. We do need to let these agents know that we don't care for the way they conduct business. These people are the ones giving the good ones a bad rap without a doubt. I have no problem telling other agents why they stink at their job...

Michael - I try to be tactful. I have suggested to a couple of agents that they grab their file and meet me at the Board of REALTORS to sort it out. Amazing how they straighten out at that point.

Good suggestion!

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?