If I get something way out of the norm, I will politely question them "Did you mean xxx?"  Make it look like an oversight or curable mistake on their part.  If they make a mistake on the terms of an offer to my seller, I am mute, and point it out to the seller as a positive for the seller (i.e. who pays for what traditionally)

It depends -- are we talking about a one off mistake?  Someone open to constructive criticism?  With that, I have immense patience and come from a place of wanting to help.

For the absolute idiots putting out non-compliant marketing or incorrect info to the public, I have 0 tolerance - it's these folks who decimated our entire industry and the resulting legislation that makes every day of my professional life more of a pain in the butt than it was in 2010.  Those folks should be fined out of the industry.

I recently dealt with an agent who made some incredibly unethical decisions. I initially tried killing her with kindness, explaining her mistakes and letting her 'fess up' to her mistakes and let us find common ground to see the transaction through. 3 tries, she failed to 'get it' with every attempt so, I involved the owner of her company, her broker-in-charge and those from my side as well.

I sought counsel from our State attorney, our MLS Association attorney and my most trusted real estate attorney here in Charlotte, sharing the information. All instructed me to pursue a more harsh approach after the transaction is ended. She was definitely in the wrong and truly doesn't need to be holding a license in my state. 

Sometimes 'gentle, kind' teaching doesn't do the trick but, I will always try that route first - ALWAYS!

Golden rule still applies here.   I try to help them in private. 

Please show us some examples of the harsh behavior by agents here, Bob, maybe I'm missing something. I experience professionalism at a higher level on ActiveRain, than I do on other online platforms.

Regarding your question...Handling issues as they arise is a case by case basis. Helping an agent is one thing but enabling or doing their job so that a transaction achieves the intended goal is not acceptable.

There are aggressive agents who cause damage to the industry because they take advantage of those who are less apt to speak up and out about their egregious behavior. These people need to be dealt with harshly.

All of us make errors.  The hope is that we learn from them and do better the next time.

Well, what if the BA makes a mistake for his client. Do you announce it to him? OR do you just proceed because the mistake is good for your seller?

This is a tough road to follow. Many people do not like to be corrected in any matter whatsoever.

A great example of this was with a Redfin agent on a walk thru. She was advising the buyers something that was just totally wrong I immediately told the buyers they had to discuss it straight away with their attorney. 

The aim is to make things right without judgment for the common goal. We ALL make mistakes. PERIOD. Fixing is all that is called for. 

Coaching is done by the agent's broker. If another broker's agent needs my help and asks for it, I'll help. It might entail asking them to ask their broker what their procedures and policies are.

I have always tried to be helpful when appropriate. 

All of us make mistakes or lack knowledge or experience in some situations.

Hi Bob Crane 

   If I am not involved in the transaction or scenario, it might be an MYOB.

  If I am involved, then I must consider the point that Lyn Sims made.  If I have a fiduciary, and the "mistake" benefits my client/principal, that must be taken into consideration.

   Otherwise, sure, try to guide them without making them feel stupid or calling them out.   

    Also, someone else on this page mentioned "retaliation instead of gratitude".  I once called out the mistake of the Buyer's side agent on my Listing.  Her Broker called me up and said I was wrong to point out the error!  (I think he had a crush on her, but that's fodder for another discussion).  

The times I have attempted to "educate" an agent on the other side of one of my transactions, it was not received well.  Some folks are open and receptive and others are not. 

Calling someone out publically is not my style unless it is designed to draw attention to a bad actor and hopefully protect someone from them. 

Correct in private, praise in public is my motto the first time around. If it continues, other action may be necessary.

as an instructor I come at "mistakes" with kindness.  If it's serious I generally also speak to their broker as that is how I would like someone to handle it if my agents did something.

For me, a lot depends on intent.  An unintentional error?  Those happen.  We're all human and make mistakes.

On the other hand, any agent should know by now that they shouldn't misuse the R term (and I get REALLY tired of seeing domain names including terms such as CincinnatiRealtor) and websites with no mention of the agent's actual brokerage (Ohio law requires it).  The agent and their broker should both know better.

And if someone is KNOWINGLY abusing this community, I do question if a few minutes in the stocks on the community square might be in order rather than "gentle coaching".   Can any experienced member of this community claim that serial commenting just to get points (especially from those already on a free account), isn't objectionable and insulting to any other member who earned their points the hard way, with legit, thought out commentary? .  

Unless I am involved, it's not up to me to point out anyone's "mistakes". Sometimes a box is not checked or whatever, and we solve it without making anyone feel bad.  

Sometimes there's a bit of "Schadenfreude" when an agent has pulled a fast one and bad things start to happen.  Again, it's not up to me to point out what should have been done. 

Depends on what the "mistake" is and how it affects my client and my norm is to discuss with my broker and let her handle what gets done.

Depending on the situation and personality of the agent, I have pointed out how something should be done properly to them or I have called the agent's Broker to point out what needs to be corrected in a case where I know the Broker on a personal level.

When I was a kid, my mom had a plaque hanging up on a bulletin board that said, "The first person to make a mountain out of a molehill was a real estate agent."  I think that is most true when one agent is talking about the mistake of another agent.

Veteran agents act like they are infallible.  They also act horrified over minor mistakes that might cause some additional frustration, but probably aren't that significant in the entire scope of things.  There are some things that warrant that reaction, but most things do not.

     I know what you mean Bob Crane . Good points. The show them to the corner and here, put on a pointed hat, have a seat. That vibe and treatment when less than stellar makes one wonder how we all do in our local community customer service providing.

     What is worse than the sharp response is to see other AR members you have respect for follow in line and pick up a stone. Be kind, be helpful, and remember buyers, sellers all see those responses online and develop an opinion of the reactive commenter. Patience, tolerance keep it free and easy. 

Horrified!  Sometimes I wait until the transaction has closed and gently suggest attention to certain things that could be improved  for their professional future. 

Sometimes know it alls will never hear the message so I will not pursue further. 

I have no intention of being compliance officer in any capacity.

I have called brokers who also put me in the pay no mind column.  I always remember for the future, if the opportunity presents itself down the road so I can be more aware of their perception versus the real world when interacting.  

What John Meussner said. There's no one answer to the problem. A lot depends on what the nature of the "mistake" is and how you define a mistake. Some people are serial offenders and they know it.

My intention is to help them. People make mistakes all the time and I'm not immune. I've reached out to agents over the years when I saw something that would get them in trouble. 

Mistake covers a broad range of incidents.  A correctable mistake that hasn't caused any harm is one in which I will give the person a heads up.  One that damages agents and our industry is a completely different story and treated in the manner it deserves.

I try to help them with how to correct the mistake, we can all help others and make our profession me better.

 
I'd say that's a whole lot of "depends".  It depends on who said it. What they said, where they said it, and how bad the faux pas was.

How I approach, (if at all), depends on the boo-boo, the circumstances and some unknowns. More often than not, I do have something to say and I have learned how to approach without triggering their ego & pride, something not easy to do but doable. Whatever I do, if I do, is love driven always remembering how I was that man and could have used any help

Depends on how “ Teachable “ I believe they are 

Depends. Case by case. It's not my job to help them or teach them. That's for their broker to do. If they ask me for some type of help, I'll answer and help best I can. No one will need to know about it except that agent and me.

It depends on the root of the mistake - was it "intentional", as in -  is it an integrity issue, or is it ignorance as to how to do something properly? If it's an honest mistake that looks like one, it behooves us to point it out. If it's an integrity issue, cover yourself from falling into a trap as you are not likely to change the behavior of the perpetrator.