Home : Blogs : Darrell Rogers : Darrell's Blog

When did "Free" become a bad thing?

So I am talking with one of my mortgage offices yesterday. She has a client that needs my assistance but her credit was in the upper 600's on all three reports. I looked at the report and told the mortgage office that the customer really didnt need to get on the program. She had some minor problems that could be taken care of herself. I told the mortgage officer to have the customer call me and I would tell her what she could do to get her score's in the 700's within two to three months.

This lady refused to call me for a "free" consultation. She told her mortgage officer that it is just a scam so that I can try to talk her into getting on the program. She explained that there is no cost, no fee, and it would take about 10 to 15 minutes of her time.

Why are people like this?

Posted by Darrell Rogers on 05/23/2008 08:24 AM

Comments (15)

Post is included in group: Mortgages
Post is included in group: Coldwell Banker Group
Post is included in group: True Mortgage Professionals
Post is included in group: Collin County, TX Real Estate Professionals
Post is included in group: 'JACKED!!!!!

15 Comments on When did "Free" become a bad thing?

Her credit may be bad because she signed up for something free that wasn't.

05/23/2008 08:29 AM

by Heath Coker, Broker Owner (Cape Group Real Estate & REindex.com)

Heath has a very good point. It happened to me!

05/23/2008 08:30 AM

by Melody Botting Real Estate Network

Darrell: That's a shame but I think we have to understand that too many consumers have been misled by those who only care about making the deal. For that, those in your industry and mine have to pay the price of distrust on the part of the consumer. Too bad she didn't call because sounds like she lost out on some good advice. She could have easily terminated the phone call if it wasn't on the up and up.

05/23/2008 08:32 AM

by Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor North Georgia Blue Ridge Real Estate (Mountain Investments of North Georgia)

I think it comes down to people thinking certain things will be a waste of time...or someone will try to sell them something.

05/23/2008 08:34 AM

by Chuck Carstensen (Re/max Associates Plus/The Discovery Coach)

Some people can't say no, regardless, and they feel that "fee" is a word used to trick them into calling. Then they get stuck paying for something they can't say no to. There are so many scams out there that those who offer a legitimate service suffer for it.

I help save homes from foreclosure, but people can't help but wonder what the scam is. What a shame.

05/23/2008 08:38 AM

by Gregory Lohr (Freedom Foreclosure Prevention Services)

Gregory- There are those out their claiming to help but they are really scamming.

05/23/2008 08:43 AM

by Melody Botting Real Estate Network

It is sad that we as a society have lost the abitlity to trust in people's goodness and kindness. Hopefully through acts of random kindness we can change everyone's opinion.

05/23/2008 08:43 AM

by AmState Realty Solutions LLC

I think it's because of all the scams out there. People here the word FREE and say "That's going to cost me a lot". It's just human nature due to the scams.

05/23/2008 08:51 AM

by Gerald Richards (Team One - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

Mel,

I understand and when someone asked for a credit card number its very easy to hang up. When your trusted loan officers says this guy can help you by giving you some advice for "Free" why would you not do it or at least give it a chance.

I got scammed by a car dealer when I was younger but I am not going to let that keep me from going to a dealership when I need a new car. When you let the actions of some bad people control your life you miss out on so much that could benefit you down the road.

05/23/2008 09:39 AM

by Darrell Rogers (Accurate Credit Experts)

Free has become a bad word. It's associated with "catch". Try emailing the loan officer and asking her to forward the information to the client. That way it comes from a source the client trusts and you still come out the hero. See if that helps. She may even call you and apologize for her prejudice. See how it goes!

05/23/2008 09:48 AM

by James Jeter - The Credit Repair Guy (The Credit Repair Guys)

A free consultation typically means a sales cycle.

05/23/2008 08:23 PM

by HPM Financial LLC

A free consultation typically means a sales cycle. It happens all the time. If you are offering a free service they will listen, a free "consultation" does not usually get people excited.

05/23/2008 08:24 PM

by HPM Financial LLC

Hey Darrel,

A lot of people find themselves thinking "If it sounds to good to be true it's probably a scam" I have another business besides real estate and I save people money every day and even though it cost them nothing in return they think it's a scam. Some people just CAN'T BEE HELPED at no price!!!

Tom S.

06/23/2008 07:44 AM

by Thomas Santore-Realtor®-ABR-Land Seller Westchester-Putnam County Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Real Estate)

darrell, I share your dismay. I spend a lot of time explaining that "free" really means free. Sadly , the manipulators, and victimizers have made us all reluctant to use the word.

06/23/2008 10:21 AM

by Jim Burr (ListedByOwner.com)

Some people have just been scammed so many times that it gives a bad rap to the people who really want to help them... Kinda like all the people holding "will work for food" signs. Some are in real need, but so many are just con-artists looking for a free hand out. I even offered to buy one a meal, and all he wanted was money. "He said, what do I look like a freeloader?" go figure.

07/23/2008 02:25 PM

by Thomas Hargreaves (Teamwork Financial Services)

Leave a response…

Name:

Notify me of new comments:

Comment:

What does the graphic say?