To complain or not to complain that is the question

I would make the complaint - probably to the local board.  There may be other complaints, maybe not.  Either way, you hope that by speaking up, you can avoid another agent being stepped on in the same way.  Good luck to you.

This is against Oregon law so it would be a no brainer.  File the complaint. Either you want to make the practice of real estate better. If you fail to file a complaint with your board, then you have nothing to complain about since you are allowing it to occur. 

Jennifer - have you approached this agent to discuss her unethical conduct?

Jennifer, I believe we can't turn on and off the ethics light when ever we feel like it. Either we be diligent, and report the wrongs, or we manifest more of this behavior.

I had this happen to me once and I had all the evidence, my broker let me down. I vowed then not to have it happen to me again...

I would approach the agent AND report the unethical conduct, as Paul suggests. Silence is equivalent to condoning that unacceptable behaviour.

I would file the compliant, I agree those of us that call ourselves professionals need to stand up for the ethics on a regular basis .

I try to practicee fighting the battles I can win, but in this case at a minimum the board would be aware of the agent's behavior if there are other complaints out there, and perhaps there are. Its very likely if this individual has been in the business a while . People who work like that have always been that way. There are a few agent in our MLS that are habitually unethical, and they started getting their hands slapped a couple years ago, now they are fined heavily on a consistent basis. I don't know about other MLS boards , but our publishes warnings and fines on the website so everyone knows who the problem children are.

It is easy to say "make the complaint" but no so easy to do!  There is nothing wrong with making it, it is the only way to regulate what realtors are doing.  There was a good quote in a blog the other day "Goodwill is earned by many acts and lost by one"  something like that...the other realtor will loose any respect that others have for her as the word gets out.

That is against ethics rules most places.  But, to move and be more productive, you must find a way to get beyond it.  Otherwise, you are allowing her to have control of your emotions.  You're upset so you don't perform as well.  Write a complaint to the Board, detailing what happened, then MOVE ON.  Or write her a letter like you would like to write, but do not mail it.  Or write her a letter outlining the steps you will take should she ever solicit one of your listings again, then do it if it happens.  This way, you have gotten rid of the anger you have inside over the issue and have a plan to deal with it.

On future listings, I would forewarn the sellers that one agent in particular will most likely contact them, in violation of ethics laws, and try to solicit their business.  You don't even have to use her name.  Just tell them if it happens, you need to know about it as this behavior is against all ethical principles in real estate. 

Hope this helps.

Jennifer, I think I would speak to the owner or managing broker of this agents office and suggest if these practices don't stop very soon there will be a law suit and you are giving the persona in charge a courtesy of a heads up. Let the employing broker deal with it -if nothing happens then you can always tell the ethics board of the warning later. Which will make you appear to be giving the powers that be the option to correct prior to a legal issue. Steve

We think that if all of us took the time and reported unethical behavior to our boards it would weed out the bad agents that give us all a bad name. Why have rules if nobody will report offenders or there is no consequences. We think that your broker is wrong on this one.