Heard an interesting question in regards to an agent going after an expired listing that sparked light debate/ conversation between a couple of agents (I won't say whose opinions are whose to keep it light and the dialog flowing). The question:
"Would it be cuth to tell a prospective seller that their just-now expired listing agent hasn't sold a listing in 40 months?"
Now, for discussion purposes, we'll assume that the statement is the truth and we're dealing with fact, not lies of any sort....I think we all know that to be wrong and despicable. But if it's the absolute truth that the just-expired-with listing agent has not sold a listing in 40 months, a property of any type in 27 and has only closed 9 transactions in the past 5 years (and none in the city this is located) is it something to bring up unsolicited?
Here are a couple of the answers I heard the question/ follow-up discussion bring:
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No!!!!!!!!
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I wouldn't put that in a letter, I'd be more inclined to say that in person. In letter I would be afraid they would show someone and possible problems with that. In person I would say no worry.
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Don't pick on 1 person.
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Better to say what you will do to get it sold. Not prove their agent was the wrong agent. They already know that, right?
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Is it wrong to point out other agent's or brokerage's production? Don't we do it all the time in numbers and graphs?
I think this falls more under an issue of etiquette than ethics and I will explain my thoughts after I hear yours, so in the meantime I ask you:
Customers, sellers and casual readers: What are your thoughts? Do you want the second agent through to point those things out to you?
Agent friends: What do you think? Would you do that? Would you be afraid to? Do you think it's right or wrong....or just part of a competitive business?
Discuss.
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