Admin

Customers From a Very Hot Place, Federal Violation, and Cutting Commissions - Yikes!

By
Real Estate Agent with Prudential Florida Realty

We have an office in a very upscale shopping center in Naples, Florida.  Some of the shops in the complex include Tiffany's, St. John's, Apple, Ralph Lauren, etc.  The center's location is in the heart of a wealthy community.  Leads from this office tend to be very productive.  Agents enjoy working at this office. 

This week I had a couple come in and they said they were looking for a condominium under $100000.  That is not a typical dollar figure for this setting, but I was happy to give them some general information. If they were serious, my plan was to refer them to another agent.  (I have spent too much time with a few low end deals that take way too much energy to get involved with this project.) They had already scoped the area and they had some opinions about what they were looking for.  The woman stated that, "I do not want to be in a development that has Blacks or Mexicans living in it."  I almost fell down on the floor.  I thought she might be a federal agent and I looked at her accordingly. She went on to say," We are only here for 6 months of the year so we want to be with other people who are like us."  I restated that for her, "So you are interested in a community that has snowbirds - right?" 

I was still shocked that she had made such racial comments.  I knew this was not a long term relationship but I was trying to find a way to show them the door, when she said, "How do commissions work on the sale of a house?" I told her she did not have to worry about that because the seller paid those costs.  She went on to ask if they did not have enough money for the home could they have some of the real estate commission.  I told her in the price range that she was looking at the commission is minimal and the work very extensive.  It made no business sense to cut the commission for such an effort.  Between the first statement and last, I helped them to the door. 

Did I handle that OK?  Should I have booted them out the door after the first rude remark? I am beginning to think instead of ignoring their initial comment I should have challenged it or told them I could not participate in such a ridulous search.  What do you think?

 

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

You and your office should have standard responses to these requests. You should clearly state that you do not discriminate.

Dec 01, 2009 10:36 PM
Carol Hanson Sheehy
Prudential Florida Realty - Naples, FL

You are right! I was in a state of shock - I need to have a solid response.  I cannot believe people think this way!  It is shocking!

Dec 01, 2009 10:41 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

I've had clients like that, and always eased myself out of the situation.  You handled it well! 

Dec 01, 2009 10:42 PM
Paul Guenther - WFG Title
WFG NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY - Flagstaff, AZ
The Extra Mile Is Part Of My Regular Route!

Carol,

Tough call!  They may not have thought the comment was rude, they may come from a time or place that comments like that are the norm.  I have been floored by some of the things that came out of my Step-grandmothers mouth.

 

Dec 01, 2009 10:46 PM
Carol Hanson Sheehy
Prudential Florida Realty - Naples, FL

I did talk to my broker and it is OK to ignore the comment.  If they say more than you have to take a stand.  You can also ask if they work for the government or if they are investigators and they have to tell you if they are.....

Dec 02, 2009 01:50 AM
Lynn M. Bower
John R Wood Realtors - Naples, FL
PA, ABR, GRI, RSPS, AHWD, PMN, CNE

Carol,

I live in the same town you do. I am floored by those walk ins. You did an great job talking to them which is really hard to do with your chin on the floor. I used to do floor on 5th Avenue and the things that people ask is incredible which tells me there are segments of the population that don't have a clue. As professionals we have the opportunity to set them straight, in a professional way. Keep up the good work and have a great "season".

Nov 15, 2010 10:22 PM