One of my agents worked with a 'suspect-not-prospect' last year to no avail. He recently returned and wanted to again waste her time and my office's. My agent was uncomfortable and consulted me. She and I determined that he had to go. I fired him.
Now before I tell you how and why, let me state that it is not my style to be unkind. We welcome new business and will give the benefit of the doubt a time or even two. I encourage my agents to do their best and try their hardest to accommodate and assist our clients.
But when the red lights flash, we're paying attention.
After a few qualifying questions, I learned the following derogatories about this person:
Needed to sell his house last year, when my agent drove him around for half a day, during which he complained nonstop about our area. House still not on market yet. Did not know when would go on market. "Not worried about it, it will sell fast." House in a state where the market was inflated and is probably not going to sell fast or perhaps at all now.
Already working with two other agents in two neighboring towns, both in our service area. (lied last year to my agent, said he had driven around the area with a friend and had no agent)
Mentioned that he wanted a 'non minority neighborhood'.
Said 'Whoever could convince him their area was the best would get his business.'
I considered this overwhelming evidence against taking on this person as a client.
So I told him I regretted we could not assist him as he was already represented and we did not intend to interfere with an established agency relationship. I wished him well and the very best of luck.
He was not pleased at this 'rejection'. Wrote me a couple of notes designed to insult and condescend that only served to confirm my decision was correct. Then he wrote my agent and told her she should quit working for me so 'he could choose her again'. We got a good laugh on that one.
Why am I writing this? Because in a buyer's market, a seller's market, down or up, real estate professionals will be challenged to keep standards and self esteem high.
We have the right to choose our clients. Every decision we make is a business decision!
Consumers need to understand this and get over the mindset that we are all desperate for business to the extent that we would waste time and resources with non principals, violate laws or ignore ethical guidelines.
And it is not our job to convince anyone of anything -- except when negotiating on our clients' behalf. To try to convince someone to live in our area that may not be ideal, to me, would be a breach of ethics. No area is for everyone. People need to look at the information we provide and resources we direct them to and make their own decisions. Do NOT take anyone's monkey on your back! (ABR 101)
Finally, and this is the bottom line -- while you are wasting time with the wrong client, you are tied up and unavailable for the RIGHT ones.
Give till it feels good - not till it hurts! Safe hunting, everyone! :)