Gee Larry,

This is Simple Simon in my book. I would confront the broker with your exact statements and questions here. If he reacts with frustration, disdain, anger, confusion or side steps the question then I think he will answer your questions for you.

If he is trying some new models and is up front and open with his answers to your concerns then he should respect you all the more for being so honest and open with him regarding your concerns.

If he does not afford you that respect and validate that your questions and concerns are legitimate then kick it to the curb and go out and SELL! SELL! SELL! and make him wish he would have respected you more. :)

Keep it simple and open. If he happens to see this blog and you have not came to him openly then he might get offended and lose respect for you.

Moving from one broker to another is always going to have it's anxieties and questions and it seems to me that you never truly feel comfortable until after you have made the move and get involved more deeply with the new company. It's then that you "KNOW" if you made the right decision. Don't burn your bridges on the way and out and if it was a bad move you can always move back.

Yes, need to talk to him about what you heard. In order to have a good working relationship there should be mutual respect. Clear the air.

Also I would look inside myself and see what was making me want to go with this Broker in the first place.  If it looks like you will make the move, get everything you have agreed on in writing.

It's amazing once people get what they want (Broker gets you ) that the carrots they dangled just disappear.......

Larry, being a broker myself, I see agent's fees and splits negotiable just like our commission. While I have certain "guidlines" that I use to determine what I would offer an agent who would be interested in joining us, I only use these as the lowest offer I can give but I can still "throw" in different incentives and offer higher split if the agent is worth it for me.

From what you said, it wasn't the broker who told you he doesn't give breaks on the fees ... you heard it from other agents. You probably don't know what the situation with these agents is ... when they joined ... they may not be able to get a break now but maybe could have asked for it when they joined. You just never know.

Personally, I would see it as a sign that the broker really wants you on board and would enjoy that fact.

My agents have a much better split now than what they had with the previous broker and that's all they know about each others pay structure. Other than that, it's private between me and each of them individualy and they know not to discuss it with each other.

... just my 2 cents

Larry, broker owner here too.

I have offered incentives to one agent that I did not offer another. If you're getting offered a perk by a broker, take that as a compliment.

In my office's P/P manual, which they sign to as addenda to their I/C agreement, the agents must adhere to a confidentiality agreement about what they are paid. If they spill, they are suject to immediate termination.

What one agent is offered is none of the others' business. It's usually a better idea to talk to agents who USED TO work there than the current ones. They are staying, so either they can't move or they are okay with the deal they got.

Having said that, I would do what has already been mentioned above by the wise gals and guy. Go to the broker and without any lead up, make your statement. See how he/she reacts and responds. That should tell you what you need to know.

Also, I'd suggest you ask for a day or two to go over the I/C agreement with your ATTORNEY. That too may reveal some insights.

LOL, radio interviewer in past life . . . take no prisoners when in that mode.  :)

Larry - It's possible that the agents that said they were also not paying a fee were still under their original agreement that was made when they came aboard, just like you will have for a year.

Personally I hate it when there are different fee structures because no matter what is in the P/P manual, agents DO talk to each other. Once someone has been shown favoritism, it winds up causing a lot of discontent within the office. I managed an office that was brand new and several agents came over from a competing office. Once their first office bill came out, they were all upset and ready to pack their belongings. A side deal was made with the group of six by the owner, reducing their bill considerably. This was kept very quiet until someone from the group decided to leave and revealed the details to others in the office as they were collecting their license. That caused a big furor that took some time to put down.

I agree, discussing it with him is the place to start.  I recently ran into an office that was aggressively recruiting with many unusual "promises".  I found out they were just trying to bulk up their realtor count in conjunction with trying to sell the brokerage.  Obviously thats unrelated to your situation.  From strictly a business point of view it seems odd to be offering anyone no fees for a year.  It would make me wonder what was going on that may bite me in the butt later on.....

<<just trying to bulk up their realtor count in conjunction with trying to sell the brokerage. >>

That has happened a lot out here lately too, Tom.

Larry I certainly have no idea what the Broker you spoke with program entails but it seems from your description he was a bit confused himself or was parsing words.

I think for unity sake their can be only one system for all and if there are exceptions to the system, all must be eligible. We make exceptions for desk fees for new agents for a period of time but it comes with a lower payout and has restrictions on length. If the program wasn’t available at the time an older agent applied, we would even consider allowing them to take advantage of it, if they desired.

We feel out compensation program or splits are at the highest level we can afford and still maintain a profitable business. That doesn’t mean we only have one program but all new agents are offered the best we have upfront and they can decide if they want a different program. To do otherwise will only cause desertion and conflict.

It is somewhat prevalent that Brokers will try to entice a good agent to their fold by offering incentives. Our take on that is that any incentives we would offer will eventually expire and now we have an agent that is subject to the next highest bidder. Not a good way to neither begin a relationship nor build a business.

The best question I think should be asked is: Can you offer me anything more than you offer anyone else in your office! If they say yes we can … It should be the end of the interview.

A good program will do the recruiting for you and if it is good and working why try to change it. Just tweak it and make it better for all. We just added a Group Health coverage program and it is having a big effect on our recruiting. Something like this works much better than bonuses or other incentives to recruit good agents and makes everyone happy.

There are a lot of other factors to analysis when making a change but I think compensation is one of the key factors. A good and fair program combined with the other factors needs no additional incentives to work. Good Luck!

By the way, if you are still contemplating a Florida Vacation in August, my partner has a New 3/2 Condo on the golf course he rents. I’ll get you the Hungarian Discount which makes it less than a motel room.  Drop me an email or give me a call if you’re interested. I’ll be In Columbus Aug 11-20 and I may run over to Toledo, if I get a chance.

If he's paying and charging you what you agreed upon in your IC agreement, then you don't have a problem.

What he charges and pays other agents/Independant Contractors is between them.

Maybe should should negotiate a new contract with him?

For CT agents changing companies.

I charge $325 a month and $300 at closing.

You get paid 100% - expenses

You can run your business anywhere in CT

http://RealtybyDan.com