Michaela,

Surely a hard thing to do, however, your time is valuable and deserves to be directed toward an end result worth working for and eventually getting paid on. The hardest question is will I get paid FOR MY EFFORTS? With someone who is brash, stubborn, hard to deal with, rude or just plain and simply an ass, probably not. You could have most likely picked up another client who really could use and wants your help. The know it all, the thinker, the one who tells you how easy it is is also the one who takes the most time and effort, thus causing your time scale to dwindle. I know it sounds easier than it really is, but you must stand your ground, be the boss, the professional and work in accordance to your rules and your laws of integrity. For instance, I don't drink alcohol, yet time and time again I'm offered drinks, always refusing at first politely and then with reverse pressure. I've even said to someone "would you like a drug dealer to keep pushing heroin on you if you don't do it"? That's personal integrity, standing behind my values. Right now I'm in China and here the water is not something you want to drink, so it's either beer or soda's??? I don't drink alcohol and soda's are bad for the kidney's, my choice soda's! Because once in a while at home I drink them, but I never drink alcohol. My point is, establish your rules of enagagement, if they break the rules let them know, if they continue to break YOUR rules...let them go! Your true value is your self esteem an self worth, don't allow someone to compromise that for a few dollars. Bend some in one way, you may bend in other ways...not a good practice to get into in our business. Don't ever let them feel like they own you over a commission. I supply fair services for a fair compensation, so no one is owed anything more than that for a paycheck from me. So the answer to your question is yes, I've fired several buyers and only one seller so far in the last seven years. I'll do it again without hesitation if someone asks, tells or suggests that I do something I know is wrong or if they act as if I'm their pet. The easiest way to sort folks is to develop your own application method. If they don't meet the application process, don't work with them, it'll save you countless hours of aggravation and lost paychecks. Some will make it through the cracks, most won't. Good luck and happy selling!

As a side comment to all our fellow agents...if you think it's rough in the US try China. Prices are through the roof and the average person makes under $200 US a month. Much of Beijing is more expensive than Manhattan. And the traffic here is nuts...there are no rules, just go. We have it so easy.

Once again - Good Luck!

Yes a couple of times - a prominent restaurant owner wnated me to pretend the price - was say $1500000 and really only give the seller a million. The seller who wanted to sell her house - seemed on the program - she had her real estate license too and I was the party pooper. By the way I won't eat in her restaurant any more either.

Another time I had a listing I sold the son a super fabulous home that was under priced - and we got it even though we had multiple offers. This kid who was a newer attorney was such a jerk to not only me - my mother - the title company - he picked the lender - his fiancees uncle who did not get the money to settlement - and instead of solving that problem he fought us on the conveyancing fee even though he had signed a seperate form for it.

After a terrible settlement I cancelled the listing with his mother because i believe the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Happy Easter!

<gasp>

How dare you Michaela!!!  I mean, really!  Didn't you bother to read through ALL the posts to find my same post on this topic buried about 10 pages deep?  I mean c'mon now!  Sheesh, the nerve of some people!  

LOL......OK Ok OK, I'm really just kidding!!  Really I am!  ;)

<big grin>

Great minds think a like Michaela!  I posted something about this a week or two ago.  

https://www.reliberation.com/blogs/beckytroutt/archive/2007/03/28/have-any-of-you-ever-had-to-fire-a-buyer-or-a-seller.aspx

BTW, you never shared your story with us.  How come you had to fire them?

Happy Easter!

LOL....Don't be sorry.  I'm just yanking your chain....having fun is all.

I actually just did with one of my sellers.  And to be completely honest, I feel great about the situation! They ended up with a Realtor who really really wanted them and I don't have the continual calls constantly.  I think it is difficult to do in this market, but at the same time, I want to spend my time, my money, and my efforts on someone who really wants me to be there and get their home sold, period! It also made me and my partner come to the realization not everyone is going to like you, and you can not be perfect all the time.  We had a bad feeling at the beginning but against better judgement listed the property, knowing they had a friend at church who was a realtor and should have advised them to go that route. The other realtor talked down on everything we did all of my marketing that I've always had great success with and we just were sick of hearing their negative prospective from our sellers, not being cocky, but knowing we were doing the most productive job with their listing and this realtor was clueless, but all in all, we are rid of the drama and its much appreciated!!