Ok here is a little tidbit from my one of my early client experiences in the biz...what would you have done?
I guess I had been selling for a couple of months when a call came in during my floor time for a rental. I talked to this woman and convinced her that she should consider buying and scheduled an appointment to begin our search. When she arrived, we conducted a search on MLS...I should have known there was something wrong with this picture when ALL of the properties she wanted to see were occupied (as a large percentage of homes for sale in this area are vacant). I set up all of the appointments and we went on our way. At the first home, she never left my sight as we I conducted the showing. At the second house, however, the owners were clearly in the middle of packing and there were an array of things out of place. She turned her back to me at the breakfast bar in the kitchen and I noticed that she suddenly thrust her hand into her pocket. Keeping a watchful eye on her, she repeated the same action in the main portion of the kitchen. I immediately said, "stop now! What do you think you are doing?" She replied, "well they're moving and it's not like they're gunna notice anything 'til it's too late anyway. Just mind your business." I was flabbergasted. If any of you know me, you know that I am never speechless...and for the first time I can remember, I was...but only for a split second! "You will put everything that you have STOLEN from these people on the counter NOW!" She actually complied; thank God because honestly, what was I going to do? Beat her up? Call the police and if she actually stayed put long enough for them to arrive, be accused of enabling or being an accomplice? I then told her that the showings were over and that she needed to find another Realtor to assist her as my license was still new and this deal was not worth losing my license; or freedom, for that matter. After cancelling all of the following appointments, my Broker came into my office and shut the door. She asked me what I had done and why the client was angry with me. I explained to her that the crazy lady was a clepto.
My former Broker wanted me to continue showing houses and pretend like it never happened...I should have known then that the relationship between us would never work.
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