I have written about this in the past. Time after time, I get emails from one network or another asking for me to write someone a recommendation. I think the biggest reason that I get a lot of them comes down to my internet presence. While I am flattered that someone would ask for a recommendation from me, I have to wonder how one would go about recommending someone that they do not even know. What really gets me is when people think they are warranted a recommendation because they belong to the same network that you do.
With that said, it happens all the time. I read a post from someone right here in ActiveRain that recommended a vendor off of ActiveRain for nothing more than their point status. They were contacted by a consumer in their area that asked to be referred to a Realtor in another area. The referring agent did not know anyone in that area and decided that they would go through AR and look for the most active member. Well, frankly, just because you are the most active person in that network does not always make you the right choice. In the case of this agent, it became apparent quickly that the wrong choice was made.
In a nutshell, without dredging up the ugly on this recommendation gone bad, the consumer had the worst experience that one could have. The agent that they were referred to took 3 days to contact them, showed them homes that did not fit their needs, wants, or budget. To make matters worse, the agent pushed properties that was listed by the company that she worked for.
Now, I know this is the extreme outcome. But, it is the potential of that outcome that keeps me from referring, writing recommendations, or even suggestion someone that I do not know. In a nutshell, the referral or recommendation reflects on you. So, think about it before you refer that next client.
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