WWOD? (What Would Organissimites Do)

[Peter Johnson]

I'm occasionally in a position to "give" real estate listings to real estate agents. I have done this twice in the last year to one individual agent, and both properties sold, netting the agent (who ended working as both the buyers' agent and the sellers' agent in both transactions) a cool $50 thou in commission.

It's been two months since the last closing, and I haven't received so much as a telephone call of thanks.

Although I never expected quid pro quo referrals from this person, I did think it would be good to have an "in" with a well-respected real estate agency in town. Now I'm just pissed, not because I wanted another piece of paper expressing thanks or bottle of wine, but because of the principal of the thing.

I guess I'm "old school," having been brought up to issue thank you notes (and now occasionally emails) as a minimum response to a kind gesture.

I clearly will choose another referral source from now on; should I just let this go? Am I overreacting? Foisting my old world ideas about politeness upon a world in flux?

WWOD?

[Eric]

Combo of 3 & 4 above. Get it off your chest!

Eric

[Man with the Golden Arm]

Get yerself a twelve pack, indulge and take your dog for a nice long walk. Whenever you encounter one of her signs staked into the ground you and the dog give it a go! :rsmile:

[connoisseur series500]

I've given lots of referrals to professionals in the past who rarely reciprocated. I got so used to it that I never bothered to dwell on it.

Those referrals of yours, Peter, amounted to some big commissions. I would simply cut off the referral relationship pronto. You could say something to her if you like, but I wouldn't bother. I'd just cut off the referrals.

If someone does not pay attention to the important but discretionary details like "thank yous" then I would question that person's devotion to other details as well.

It's a worrisome sign for sure.

If someone gave me a referral which resulted in a big sale, I'd take them out to dinner at least!

Give her the big boot!

[couw]

Probably there is no bad intention in this anywhere. So I would not introduce it myself. Probably she just forgot, had a child/crisis/birthday/anniversary/busy week/death in the family, whatever. Just call her up and ask her how things went is my advice. She's bound to load the thanks on you and the apologies for not coming up with those herself. Maybe not, but it's worth a try, just for the positive worldview part of it.

[connoisseur series500]

Probably there is no bad intention in this anywhere. So I would not introduce it myself. Probably she just forgot, had a child/crisis/birthday/anniversary/busy week/death in the family, whatever. Just call her up and ask her how things went is my advice. She's bound to load the thanks on you and the apologies for not coming up with those herself. Maybe not, but it's worth a try, just for the positive worldview part of it.

I respectfully disagree, John.

When you are paid by commissions, it is imperative to reciprocate in either referrals or in terms of expressing your gratitude.

Sounds to me like the lady is a shit!

There are a lot of money-grubbing selfish people in commissioned sales positions.

Her actions do not speak highly of her. I would not send valued referrals over there at all.

[Dan Gould]

In my opinion, she was obviously raised poorly and Peter is justified in being annoyed at her. I'd unload on her sorry, ungrateful butt.

But then again, that's just me. And as you may know, I do have a reputation in these matters.

[couw]

ah well, must be my nice-guy gene playing up. I cannot judge the situation. Maybe y'all are right and she needs a spanking. I'm still for the nice-guy approach though, but as I said, that's just my genes.

[Big Al]

I voted for #4, with #3 as a very close second.

[Jazzmoose]

I'm just glad you asked us what we thought you should do, rather than what we thought we would do. I was able to pick the "displeasure" idea rather than asking if we could substitute the word "rat" for "roses"...

Edited March 3, 2004 by Jazzmoose

[Free For All]

I'd unload on her sorry, ungrateful butt.

Who'da thunk?

[connoisseur series500]

I bet Alex, the pacifist voted for "let bygones be bygones..."

[chris olivarez]

I'm just glad you asked us what we thought you should do, rather than what we thought we would do. I was able to pick the "displeasure" idea rather than asking if we could substitute the word "rat" for "roses"...

Or a dead fish whose "fragrance" she would have to inhale preferrably on a hot day.

[chris olivarez]

Seriously though I would let it ride and if she ever hit you up for referrals tell her that isn't going to happen and tell her why.

[catesta]

# 4

Either way I would never give her another referral, sounds like a selfish person.

I has a similar situation a couple of years ago with a friendly competitor of mine that did resdidential work, which I do not.

[PHILLYQ]

I think Conn has the best approach to this problem. This realtor made some very large cash on your referral. Any decent human being would at least say thank you quite profusely, and most would take you out to dinner, slip you an envelope with some cash, buy you a Mosaic set or six, etc. This ingrate did nothing. I would let bygones be bygones, but never refer anything to this person ever again. If this cheapskate should ever mention that nothing has come from you since these two transactions, THEN is the time to mention the parsimonious response politely but firmly.

[Jazzmoose]

I'd unload on her sorry, ungrateful butt.

Who'da thunk?

[Son-of-a-Weizen]

If it was a friend, I wouldn't even expect a note. If it was an aquaintance or so, I'd just wait until the next time I bumped into 'em and then kid around a bit ('Hey, I heard you finally arm-twisted someone into buying that old clapboard firetrap!! Congrats!! Is my case of wine in the mail?....ha, ha, ha!'). They'll get the point.

[JSngry]

But if it wasn't a friend, I'd just take the business elsewhere, where you know it's appreciated and you're not being viewed as just another cog in this individual's self-centered machine.

And...

Always forgive, but never forget.

[connoisseur series500]

And...

Always forgive, but never forget.

Yes!