3,988,007
Don't use that agent again and apologize to the sellers for how that turned out. An agent should never begin marketing without a written listing. I really can't see how this happened. It takes a lot longer than a day or two (the length of time the agent thought the sellers were going to sign) to get it published in a local publication. That ad could have been cancelled when they didn't sign the next day. Shame on the agent.
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Sharon Altier
Elmhurst, IL
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Dr. Karen Lewis, Broke...
Fort Lauderdale, FL
-
Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
-
Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Peter Mohylsky, Beach ...
Miramar Beach, FL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Inna Ivchenko
Encino, CA
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
1,153,794
I would begin by apologizing profusely to the Seller. Beyond that there isn't much you can do except vet other referral agents better if the situation arises again. Forget about the $2,000 it's your reputation here. Hopefully it has more value than that.
-
Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
-
Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
1,052,211
The only thing you can do is apologize to the sellers for the misunderstanding, and assure them that the next agent you send will be more professional. If you get the chance.
Forget about the loss of money that you did not have in the first place.
Nothing will drive you crazy faster than the 'what ifs'.
-
Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Kevin J. May
Hobe Sound, FL
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
2,684,109
Apologize to the Sellers.
No sale = no referral fee, so there's nothing to gain from contacting that agent.
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
-
Inna Ivchenko
Encino, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
5,230,113
Make amends with the seller and never refer to that agent again. I do hope that agent apologized profusely to you!
As for the $2K - that was mailbox money that never got delivered - all referrals don't work out. You can never count on that money until it's in your bank account.
-
Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
Tony and Suzanne Marri...
Scottsdale, AZ
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Silvia Dukes PA, Broke...
Spring Hill, FL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
711,852
I would obviously apologize to the sellers for the huge mistake the referring agent made and hope they don't blame me in the future for the misbehavior of another.
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
427,257
I think apologies are in order to the sellers. There is not much that can be done for the other agent, at this point. You need to make things right with the seller so your reputation isn't jeopardized.
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
140,560
The problem is between the seller and the other agent. For what it's worth, you can apologize to the seller. Other than that just move on.
-
Silvia Dukes PA, Broke...
Spring Hill, FL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
1,622,432
I have no idea how the agent ''misunderstood'' you. How she can prepay the ads if she never saw the house? Sounds too pushi and not professional at all.
Btw, in our referral form, we clear indicate what and who we refer.
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
6,393,609
Sounds like everyone is losing in this situation, find a way to build and repair bridges, be a peacemaker and get the deal back on track.
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,311,397
Don't send that agent any more referrals.
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
3,345,091
Apologize to the sellers. Invite them to dinner or lunch and offer to refer another agent with your commitment to ensure that the agent is professional - if in fact you know an agent that will do a better job.
The money was never yours to lose. It cost you nothing. What cost you is your name and reputation with people you know well and who trusted you. That is what I would be focused on ... regaining their trust and forgiveness.
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Greg Large
Grove City, OH
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
5,583,278
select a better quality listing agent next time.... can't unring that bell....
the best you can do is contact the homeowner... apologize for the other agent's poor judgment and have a "top shelf" listing agent ready ....
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
290,969
I would definitely talk to the Seller, who you know very well. I would apologize for the other agent's behavior, though you cannot truly 'speak for him or her', in regards to 'what were they thinking'. Somewhere there was a huge misunderstanding. You can certainly let the sellers know that you are as shocked as they are about how the entire situation went. Regarding the $2,000, one never knows if Referrals will work out in a sale, so I personally 'never count that money' until it's really a 'done deal', at COE. I would be more concerned about the sellers, and my relationship with them, than the money, but that's just me . . . As you wrote, you know the sellers very well, so I'm thinking your relationship or friendship is not forever gone.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
5,049,455
I would apologize to the sellers for sure. But how did thi cost you monetarily?
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,543,823
Learn from it and move on.
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
1,027,602
I am flabbergasted ANY agent who has been licensed for more than, say, a day, would do this. Seriously, what was she thinking? Is she brand new? Did you know her at all? At any rate, apologize profusely and say you have no earthly idea how someone could make such a huge mistake. Hopefully this has not damaged your relationship with them too badly and also, in the future, hope your referral agents have more sense.
-
Pete Xavier
Pacific Palisades, CA
2,061,864
Wow... that sucks on toast. I'm sorry to hear that the referred agent was so totally dense... placing an ad, and making the assumption that they had the listing, before they'd even met the clients was a huge faux-pas.
Hopefully, that agent's screw-up hasn't tainted you... and they might allow you to send them a fresh (better vetted) referral??
Time for some damage control. Send them an apology gift... and make an apology phone call to assure them that this is NOT the way things work.
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
2,220,654
It's a painful lesson, but keep on going to the next thing.
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
577,750
It's not the money you lost that you didn't have, its the relationship with the Seller you have to salvage if you can. I would apologize to the Sellers for the other agent's unprofessionalism... and if you have another chance let them know you will vet the next agent to ensure they are experienced and professional.
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
1,844,301
Just jumping the gun & I guess you didn't refer to the right person. If those sellers did not sign the paperwork that night she made a big mistake. Don't be blaming anyone else but her.
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
4,800,082
I don't understand how this is costing you money.
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
5,216,409
Apologize to the seller. Maybe have your broker call the referral agents' broker and have a conversation!
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
2,436,099
Wow, that definitely did not go well. The only thing you can do at this point in time is to sincerely apologize to the seller. It's unfortunate that you won't be getting any referral fee from this seller but sometimes referrals don't work out. It's difficult finding a really good person in another area. I'm sure you did your due diligence in vetting, so at this point, all that can be done is to never refer to that agent again and to apologize. Good luck.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
4,272,548
I don't understand how you lost money on a referral...
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
2,071,025
1,598,452
365,664
Tough one. Did she have anything signed?
If she did, I'd let it go.
If she didn't, I'd have my Broker talk to her Broker.
3,164,294
I always try and set expectations with agents. If my seller is going to sell in a few months I let them know that up front. Perhaps just better communication in the future. But there is really no excuse for running an ad without a signed agreement.
1,712,676
If you are a REALTOR® you would know to talk to your broker. That is why they get a part of your commission.
953,617
Just one thing (you already got great responses), I consider referral earnings "found money". Never had considered it costing me if things didn't happen as it sometimes doesn't (don't count your chickens before they hatch). Best wishes!
4,319,419
How can one assume the listing is her without signing the listing agreement?
One should be ready to market - but not spend a dime until the agreement!
4,160,899
1,711,988
Apologizing is all you could do with the sellers. As far as the $2000.00 what could've been the referral fee, it was never yours to begin with so you didn't lose any money.
I just don't understand why any agent would market the property if they don't have a listing agreement. Makes no sense, new one for me.
900,128
Apology and small gift of "reparation" to sellers. Next time, try to be present at presentation and make sure no misunderstandings occur. Hard to beliece how agent could "misunderstand" if she did not have a signed document. Maybe agent needed better vetting for integrity and modus operandi. Hope all you lost was money and not the friendship of the sellers; I could understand their frustration and dismay.
1,502,998
Without a signed contract, the agent shouldn't have been doing anything. I'd apologize to the sellers and see about providing another agent and have a talk with them first.
3,071,489
5,772,575
1,239,901
7,836,389
1,466,207
The agent definitely jumped the gun and thought this was a sure thing. In this business there is no such thing as a sure thing. Apologize to the seller and refer another agent.
2,781,173
I like the core intention of this however the gun was jumped. False start!
1,197,152
628,814
I would first apologize to your friend / Seller , then have a talk w/ the Broker of the other agent's company to assure they don't make that mistake again. Next time search out a company w/ a relocation department to place your referral w/ someone who has been trained and they can match an agent w/ a specific Buyer / Seller, better chance of closing the deal !
2,182,552
5,104,931
I don't understand how this cost you $2,000. Are you talking about a referral fee? Not all referrals work out... and you can't lose what you never had. I would however, reach to the seller friends and apologize to them.
4,882,355
4,434,127
3,986,258