Referring a Client, because it's the Right thing to do.
This past week I got a call and email from a fellow ACF Forester in Michigan who had a client from Chicago who also owns some land in Central Wisconsin.
This other Forester sent the business my way because he knew that I could do a better job with this property than he could and he was very concerned about the welfare of his client and the client's forest.
He sent the business, because it was the right thing to do, not because he was expecting a sweet referral fee, since our profession avoids this ethical quagmire by prohibiting us from Accepting or Paying these fees and requires us to refer all business that we cannot do an excellent job on to someone who can.
At a recent ACF (Association of Consulting Foresters) meeting, the subject was brought up by some Foresters who were also Real Estate Brokers.
They were of the opinion that it was an outdated rule and that it made them less competitive in the Real estate part of their businesses, I disagreed and stated that this rule sets us apart and avoids a ton of ethical situations both actual and perceived.
Some of my reasons for opposing this change are mentioned in the two blogs below from last year.
Collecting a fee on a Referral? Ethics Violation?
ACF Code of Ethics
What do you all think about this?
Bob
