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The Blogosphere Versus the Trollosphere

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lockwood Real Estate

Real Estate TrollThose of you who've been blogging for a while may have had the pleasure of meeting our friend on the right, who typically comes to your blog as a visitor from his own main blog, I-Hate-NAR.com or A-Lexus-Ran-Over-My-Mom.com or the like.

I've been given old trollie a lot of thought lately. He used to pop up on my Sacramento Real Estate Blog a lot, and lately he's been spotted picketing a fine Realtor® who hangs her license with me, Purva Brown.

Amy Miller recently wrote an excellent post about giving great customer service. The thing with Trollie is that he's not a customer, so I have a really hard time with him. Yes, according to Tom Hopkins you should meet everyone you meet as though they will give you your next referral.

I wrote more about Trollie on my Sacramento site, where he used to be a frequent visitor.

Anyway, I've always erred on the side of showing Trollie the door, but I'm curious as to how the rest of you may have handled him. Do you find it better to take Purva's approach of dazzling him with reason, or do you just reach for delete key instinctively as I do, and why?

Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO
You need to NOT provide me with tempting things to throw out at a group that can sue me.  Jerk-in-the-box is too, too good.  I'd comment on Trollie, but sometimes feel that I AM that (difference: well intended vs. evil- I'll call myself a Lollie).  I would think that the Trollies are a bit off balance, full of some kind of inexplicable rage (as Purva discovered)- her experience was fully deleteworthy.  On the other hand, the way that she zapped them may have prevented the Trollies that were hiding in the cave from voicing their opinions and being horrible to Purva (or someone else).  Hard call.  If it's handled well, keep it visible.  
Jul 15, 2007 09:05 AM
Kaye Thomas
Real Estate West - Manhattan Beach, CA
e-PRO, Manhattan Beach CA
Trollies are an interesting group of folks..  common sense or rationality are rarely part of the world in which they live.. They have but one song to sing and most of the time it is off key.  Engaging them can be fun on occasion but usually takes more time and energy then it is worth. Kool- Aid drinkers rarely think for themselves.
Jul 15, 2007 11:31 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy
The one danger with engaging a troll is that if you do it too effectively, you might seem to be a bully.  There is a balance.  Think of a comedian dealing with a heckler.  If done well, the heckler looks dumb, the audience thinks it was great, and they cast mean glances at the heckler through the rest of the show.  If done poorly, (without even getting to the "Michael Richards level") and you look like a meanie...
Jul 15, 2007 12:35 PM
John Lockwood
Lockwood Real Estate - Sacramento, CA
Excellent advice, everyone.  Lane, you nailed it -- my problem is I'm always the meanie, which is why I suppose I'd rather not do it.    
Jul 15, 2007 01:27 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

That is one ugly troll.   I don't envy those of you who live in the parts of the country prone to bubble bloggers, although I understand their disrespect for Realtors® knows no boundaries.  They can't get as much attention... in unblubbley markets.

I read a bit of Purva's blog, she handled herself well from what I saw. 

Jul 16, 2007 03:32 AM
Paul Viau
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog - Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog + Photo Services
I'm not sure what to tell you? I tend to be a bit sarcastic in the best of moments, so if a troll dropped in for an ugly comment, I might tend to say something. But I guess I'll hold my tongue since you gave me the heads up......But don't rule me out!
Jul 16, 2007 07:39 AM
Gary Bolen
McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA
CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information

Great photo. Also checked out your sac site. We're down there from time to time, my much better half, make that 7/8ths is a Sacramento gal. Am sure you're up here at the lake as well from time to time. Like your writing.

Cheers... 

Jul 16, 2007 04:26 PM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!
John, like you I delete but selectively.  I do take the time to see where Trollie came from.  Once in awhile it is worth the dazzle.  Nice post.
Jul 18, 2007 02:35 AM