Phoenix Real Estate, and More... : Be Careful What You Say on the Internet!

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Be Careful What You Say on the Internet!

By: Jay & Francy Thompson REALTORS®
Friday, March 16, 2007 12:20 PM

Last week on this Point2 message board I tried to help someone and was resoundly flamed for it. Many of my forum pals swiftly responded, and I thank them for that.

Today I realized this exchange took place in one of the public areas of the forum (the little yellow lock indicates an area that is closed to the public, and to search engines. Areas that do not have a lock, can and are indexed by the search engines).

What this means for my new found admirer is that his words are now available for all to see, including any prospective client that is astute enough to search Google to find out more about their prospective agent (and trust me, MANY people do that).

I blogged about this on The Phoenix Real Estate Guy. Not to hang said flamer further out to dry -- he's already done a fine job of that all by himself. I blogged it to help educate and warn others. You HAVE to be careful what you say on the Internet!

Comments

Member Since '04	Ron Tarvin said: Oh so true, Jay. March 16, 2007 1:44 PM
Member Since '03	Mipeco Realty, Inc - Michaela Krestenic, Broker-Owner said: I just Googled him just as you did and the particular message board post still comes up as #1 ... What a great way to build one's reputation ... NOT :-) Jay, this is a great post! March 16, 2007 1:47 PM
Member Since '06	Scott McClain said: Scott makes note of the "flamers" name for future reference on who "NOT" to do referrals to in the anus of the planet i.e. Ohio LOL March 16, 2007 2:12 PM
Member Since '03	Mike Farmer said: I don't need you to lecture me on what to say on a message board, bud... Just kidding!!!!! March 16, 2007 2:15 PM
Member Since '06	Todd Clark said: Jay, How funny that you wrote this on here, I was just saying amost word for word what you just said on Active Rain. Todd March 16, 2007 2:21 PM
Member Since '06	Mike Cleaver said: Hi Jay, I left a response on your Phoenix Real Estate guy blog. Some people have no sense and people like him give all of us a bad name. It's a pity we can't flag agents like him to Point2 and have his site closed down, much like Craigslist; peers and users police the posts. March 16, 2007 2:26 PM
Member Since '03	Howard Arnoff said: Jay, it's amazing he went "tilt" on you because you are so generous with your help to everyone in the community. Now, if he would have gone after, for example, me, the flame out might have only gotten on page 2 of google :) An excellent reminder that we should all think before speaking or writing, thanks. March 16, 2007 2:28 PM
Member Since '07	Helmer Zapata said: Hi Jay, That just goes to show us all to keep our eyes open for number 1. There is always someone operating on their own agenda...! Best regards, March 16, 2007 2:33 PM
Member Since '06	Todd Clark said: OK Mike, I didn't see your post before. That is funny! I won't tell you what to write - lol Todd March 16, 2007 2:35 PM
Member Since '06	Stephan Bowles said: Scott McClain said: Scott makes note of the "flamers" name for future reference on who "NOT" to do referrals to in the anus of the planet i.e. Ohio LOL Just another point about watching what you say online....... SOME from Ohio might not take kindly to your description of the Buckeye State......hopefully they won't hold it against you if a potential referral ever comes up in your area!! March 16, 2007 2:41 PM
Member Since '05	Carol and Steve Coldwell Banker Parker Realty said: EEK...he messed with the wrong agent here on POINT 2! It's very obvious the respect we all have for you Jay. People need to remember, you can't take back posts like that one. Think before you flame someone. We love ya Jay! Carol March 16, 2007 2:44 PM
Member Since '07	Jim Cronin said: Right on Jay. I just actually finished an article ready for post on a very related topic. Give me five minutes to proofread... I love this similar minds thinking alike thing :) March 16, 2007 2:54 PM
Member Since '05	Gail MacMillan said: Good lesson for all of us - tough lesson for Nick March 16, 2007 2:54 PM
Member Since '04	Mary Welch said: Wow, try to help someone. I had no idea what you guys were doing over on the message board, the icon moonings etc. I think I will stay here-it looks dangerous over there.... March 16, 2007 3:12 PM
Member Since '05	Jay & Francy Thompson REALTORS® said: Don't be afraid of the message board Mary. It's a great place with great people and a wonderful way to learn more about how to get the most from the Point2 product. Things like this rarely happen -- remarkably rare compared to most message boards. Once again, thanks for the support. More importantly, REMEMBER what can happen if you "sound off" in a public forum. (Not that most here would ever consider it, but it's not that hard to let your emotions take charge, and it only takes a second to click "submit"...) March 16, 2007 4:30 PM
Member Since '07	Matt Smith said: I avoid message boards that are Rough & Tumble. I have seen many that are just internet garbage. Matt Smith March 16, 2007 4:37 PM
Member Since '04	Matthew Pellerin said: You are just everywhere Jay. I didn't know you blogged here and chatted on the Point2 forum too, plus AR, your own blog and so on. Yikes! How do you find the time to sell real estate? Matt Pellerin PhoenixHomes.com March 16, 2007 4:37 PM
Member Since '04	Matthew Pellerin said: Not sure what I did wrong... my first comment doesn't seem to be appearing here. Matt Pellerin PhoenixHomes.com March 16, 2007 4:39 PM
Member Since '06	John Hersey, Realtor said: Jay, That is unbelievable! I have learned tons from you and we have never met! This guy better hope to change his attitude or we will not need to remember his name. I still can't believe it! I read this and the actual thread a few times to see what I was missing. Maybe someone kicked his cat that day and he decided to take it out on you! Thanks for you many words of advice and wisdom!! March 16, 2007 4:42 PM
Member Since '05	Namneet Dhaliwal said: One take home message here is - Be respectful to your peers, if asking for help be humble, watch the words you use, otherwise face the consequences just like this guy who disrespected Jay and be #1 in search engine for the stuff you do not want to see and hear about yourself. http://www.namneet.com March 16, 2007 4:47 PM
Member Since '05	Becky Troutt said: OH...Jay, you just got your apology over on the message boards from Nick! ;) March 16, 2007 5:22 PM
Member Since '05	Jay & Francy Thompson REALTORS® said: Matt - I'll humbly admit that my wife Francy does the "real work". I'm the tech-head that brings the leads in, but she's the Real Estate Queen that seals the deals. That and I don't need much sleep and I type fast... And you didn't do anything wrong that I can see. There's often a delay between posting comments and them being visible. The delay depends, I assume, on how many people are on RElib at the time... "Be respectful to your peers, if asking for help be humble" that pretty much sums it up! And it's really not rocket science... it kinda all falls back to the Golden Rule.... March 16, 2007 5:26 PM
Member Since '04	Matthew Pellerin said: So it did work. They are both there now. I didn't realize that you weren't selling. Another friend of mine does the exact same thing in Vegas. He and his wife have teamed up with him online and her out selling. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal considering that I run all aspects of my team and business. Yikes! Have a great weekend. :-) Matt Pellerin - PhoenixHomes.com March 16, 2007 5:46 PM
Member Since '05	Jay & Francy Thompson REALTORS® said: Oh I still sell. Got a listing appointment tomorrow morning! I just don't sell at nearly the level Francy does. It's a great deal though. There is no way we could do what we do if there was only one of us. I don't know how agents working alone can find the time to market, manage and sell. March 16, 2007 7:03 PM
Member Since '05	Beth Larsen said: Hi Jay, OK, I couldn't resist reading this (and the first) thread. Unbelievable. Equally unbelievablle, and taken directly from the header on his website: "Real Estate EXPERT specializing in Luxury Home Sales/ Large Land Acquisition/ Commercial" And this is a newbie? How is he an "EXPERT" in ANYTHING, let alone these specialites? And what ever happened to NAR's admonition to present a "True Picture" on the internet...and in ALL advertising? Also interesting that the ONLY listing showing is: "$239,900 "Cheapest 3 acres in city" Sigh. Not walkin' the walk... March 16, 2007 8:19 PM
Member Since '05	Lonn Dugan said: Hey... Scott..... I'm from Ohio, but not the anus of Ohio, wherever that is... March 16, 2007 9:41 PM
Member Since '06	Gail Fritz said: A well-respected former boss and great firend of mine told me something years ago that I have never forgotten: Never put anything in writing that may come back to bite you in the ***! March 16, 2007 11:21 PM
Member Since '05	Jay & Francy Thompson REALTORS® said: Becky - That was one lame apology. I mean seriously, how sincere is: "Sorry Jay was having a bad day" Was he saying I was having a bad day, or is his grammar just lousy? And he thinks that thread is funny? He's a nut job. March 17, 2007 2:22 AM
Member Since '05	Becky Troutt said: C'mon Jay....did you really think he was going to give you a formal apology! LOL.... I think his ego only allowed him to say as much as he did say. So sad! Oh well, he'll never make it in this business! We all know how much other agents will "boycott" working with you if you are that miserable to work with and you have that sort of attitude. If agents that are in his area read that thread, they will tell their buyers that he is difficult to work with and most times, the buyer agrees to move onto other properties and skip his listings! And if he's that rude to fellow agents, then how the heck does he think he's going to retain a database of buyers/sellers that will either be willing to work with him or be loyal to him? He thinks the thread was funny? Well I think it's funny that when people google him, that's what they see! And believe me, people that know you or have heard of your name will google you! I have people that search in google for my name, don't ask me why, but they do! So when he starts to get his name out there? Won't that be a fabulous first impression to make on his customers? I think they will just "click" and find another agent! He just dug his own grave! Better get that resume up to date Nick! March 17, 2007 6:05 AM