Do You Feel Comfortable Accepting Gifts
From Clients?
Over the years we have closed hundreds of home loans, some easy, some not so easy. Whether the deal goes smoothly or not, I don't believe that a client should feel bad, or that they were a "pain".
After all, we are getting paid for our services, just as in any other business or profession. It is my belief that you win some, and you really win some. I don't feel that you can ever "lose" with a client, because some of my best referrals have come from past mortgage clients whose home loans were not a walk in the park : )
As with anything in life, every difficulty should be viewed as a challenge, and a way to learn from the experience. This is the only way that growth occurs, and it better prepares us for what may lie ahead.
So.. on to my question and story~
Recently my husband and I closed one of those "not so easy" loans, for a repeat client. It
was not the borrower's fault, nor the banks fault. Really, it was over a very minor item on the borrower's credit report, that they had once disputed. It was complete nonsense, as they did not even have a balance on the card, and the borrower had closed the account years ago, after this issue was handled so poorly by the credit card company (imagine that).
Anywho... it took longer than expected, and numerous calls, emails & pressure from us, to get the credit bureaus to finally change the reporting.
After closing, the borrower sent us a heartfelt note with a $100 gift card to a store, thanking us for all of the extra work and time that we put in, to make the loan happen.
This was BEYOND kind, and generous, and I began to wonder if other mortgage or real estate professionals felt that this was appropriate.
I believe that we were fairly compensated for the work that we did, and while I REALLY appreciate it, I actually feel uncomfortable accepting the gift.
I'm really curious to hear your stories, and find out what your thoughts are on the matter, so PLEASE comment if you read this post, and I thank you in advance!
Please tell me, Do You Feel Comfortable Accepting Gifts From Clients?
After all, we are getting paid for our services, just as in any other business or profession. It is my belief that you win some, and you really win some. I don't feel that you can ever "lose" with a client, because some of my best referrals have come from past mortgage clients whose home loans were not a walk in the park : )
As with anything in life, every difficulty should be viewed as a challenge, and a way to learn from the experience. This is the only way that growth occurs, and it better prepares us for what may lie ahead.
So.. on to my question and story~
Recently my husband and I closed one of those "not so easy" loans, for a repeat client. It
was not the borrower's fault, nor the banks fault. Really, it was over a very minor item on the borrower's credit report, that they had once disputed. It was complete nonsense, as they did not even have a balance on the card, and the borrower had closed the account years ago, after this issue was handled so poorly by the credit card company (imagine that).Anywho... it took longer than expected, and numerous calls, emails & pressure from us, to get the credit bureaus to finally change the reporting.
After closing, the borrower sent us a heartfelt note with a $100 gift card to a store, thanking us for all of the extra work and time that we put in, to make the loan happen.
This was BEYOND kind, and generous, and I began to wonder if other mortgage or real estate professionals felt that this was appropriate.
I believe that we were fairly compensated for the work that we did, and while I REALLY appreciate it, I actually feel uncomfortable accepting the gift.
I'm really curious to hear your stories, and find out what your thoughts are on the matter, so PLEASE comment if you read this post, and I thank you in advance!
Please tell me, Do You Feel Comfortable Accepting Gifts From Clients?
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