Several options Susan...

1. They dont trust people in their own organization.
2. They are impressed with everything they have read about you online and elsewhere.
3. They would like to get to know you better and would like to have you working in their firm eventually.
4. Possibly a scammer pretending to be someone that they are not.

Recruiting?

Crummy Buyer that will look at 100 houses before changing their mind?

      ? ? ?

Susan,

It is a recruiting maneuver.  We saw it with a company that was moving into Northern California when we were living there.  One of the agents they were after was our client who was harassed day in and day out by them.  A

My first thought is a different way of recruiting. Curiouser and curiouser, as Alice would say

Bob Crane nailed this one...

Very interesting.  I like some of the answers you've received on it too.  Never thought of it as a recruitting thing.  I'd at least call them and take the client.

As one who has gotten referrals from agents in franchise offices, I have a different take.

The quality of the buyer is so poor that no one wants to pay a referral fee on them.

Eve

I would return the call and get to the bottom of it.  If it is recruiting tell them you aren't interested.  I always tell folks I'll probably die with a baloon over my head!

Susan Haughton I agree with Jeff Dowler CRS . Here's a referral. When you close the deal, come and work for us.

I think they want you to come work for them.

Defiantly a clever recruiting attempt Susan.

Just sounds like a scam of some sort

Susan,

 i have read many answers here and I think it is recruiting are you going to call?

I would call, find out about the client and then ask the question why they chose you.  Sometimes I believe people to honestly look for someone who would make a good fit to the client instead of just reaching out to a big name company.

Could be they have been reading your blog and like the way you do business.  I will often stray from our own company when making referrals to find the right match, even if I don't personally know who I am referring to.  I read up on the posts here on AR and get a sense of the personality.

Sounds like a scam to me

You are being recruited!

Be thankful for referrals if they are real. You may have been recommended.

I would call and ask them-perhaps they are recruiting you, or the buyer found you on the internet and likes what they saw? Why not call?

 That is really odd.  Now I'm wondering who the brokerage is!  

Susan Haughton - well, they must have generated an Internet lead that they don't know how to handle.....

And still want to recoup their marketing dollar by referring to successful agent like you!

Your question had me scrolling down to see some of the answers. My first thought was that the quality of buyer was bad (as another member answered). Recruiting?...I'm not so sure. I have had the big box offices recruit me and they do this in a pretty straight forward manner. 

I would return the call. See what happens. Then tell us about it. 

Maybe no one in their company is willing to pay them the referral amount on a relocation?

I got a call like that and it turned into a very heavy recruitment to purchase a franchise.  Ugh.

Susan, I stopped being brand centric with referrals after getting to know so many people here.  AR is my first choice for referrals, so perhaps they researched you and preferred what they could find out about you vs. the directory info for their own brokerage.  Although if they work for a CERTAIN brand that I won't name, I'd assume it was some type of back door recruiting pitch since it seems to be sacrilege to consider referring outside of their own brand.  Bill

That would make me curious too thinking the same questions you have in your mind. I however would make that call and ask everyone of them.

I haad this several years ago.  I thought like you.  but I got a call asking me to join their company...They even offered to buy me out.

Maybe trying to recruit you? Otherwise, it makes no sense.

If it is not a recruiting scheme refer them to an agent in your office that could use the experience.

It is out of the norm and your woman's intuition is alerted to it. Go with that

I had a friend in another town try to refer a seller to me, but I already knew who she was.  She had listed her home several times and then canceled.  I had been referred to her by a family member and intended on asking, "why will this time be different from the others" before seriously considering it. 

After about 6 different listings, none with me, she did finally sell, but my friend who referred her to me was told she wasn't welcome in his office by the broker. 

A form of sabotage ..... keep the producers busy with high maintenance buyers.... but that's how this Armenian thinks!!! 

Call back and find out otherwise you will be wondering later if you should have.

I'd call.

Others have suggested it's a recruiting move, but I think it's an ethical violation to lure you in saying they have a referral. Therefore, if it is a recruiting move, you know all you need to know about their business.

Obviously you don't like their style & I'd go with your hunch. OR ... they are going to say this BS something to the effect of 'you don't want a referral'? 

Return the call and see how you can be of service.  If it is a bait game, be upfront and tell them you appreciate the compliement, but not interested....blah blah...better to be known as the eternal optimist and professional...

Hi Susan - If it is a recruiting move as many have suggested, it's either dishonest or unfair to their own agents and it tells you a lot about what working for them would be like.

Head hunting remains in vogue with Realty companies. You must be putting a pinch in their attempted domination Susan. Good for you!

Recruiting? Did it come from the broker or one of their agents? If it's an agent, maybe he/she admires you and wants the best of his/her client.

In case you are flattered, enjoy the moment.  But if you see them being disrespectful of anyone, then take note: sooner or later that disrespect will fall on you, too.  It's just how people are.  And if they are prepared to steal everyone else's fruit of careful labour to grow good, professional agents without doing their own growing and tending, then that already sounds disrespectful to me.

That does seem odd.   I might call because I can be a curious guy.   Do you think it's a recruiting call?