Rob, this subject has come up several times and I understand your point.  Here is what we do.  We do not give a gift (usually) to our sellers.  We do give a "housewarming" gift to our buyers.  and that is what it is, a housewarming gift.  Not a closing gift.

That mindset is about money, not about service and new friendships. I don't give closing gifts attached with obligations! It is may way to say "thank you" for trusting me and for my client's business. I do not give them a gift expecting referrals in return. If I have done my job, referrals will follow, I do not need to request them or manipulate with gifts to get them.  

One more thing, I have read here and other agents say, why do agents feel the need to give gifts when all these other service providers (attorneys, mechanic, etc) do not.

Guess what?  In business, gifts are a fact of life.  The attorney probably does give gifts to his largest (usually corporate) clients.  In my previous life I worked in Advertising Agencies, and we always gave gifts to our clients, at their birthdays, Christmas, promotions, etc.  Recognizing significant milestones or acheivements.  Gifts are so common, that many companies and the gov't will limit how much a gift can be.

that in mind, I think a housewarming gift from me to my client (who I want to be a client for many, many more years) is prudent business.  I would be remiss to not recognize a significant moment in my buyers life, and purchasing a home is significant.  Just my very humble .02.

shelly

As I posted in a similar thread, I give a gift to the co-op buyers agent. It's hand delivered to their front sales desk (usually a beautiful live plant that will fit on their desk) and everybody there sees it and knows about it. With well over 20 years in RE, most agents know my name from that type of exposure.

I like that Gene, and have been thinking about something similar.  I had an agent show a listing of mine this week.  Her client really liked it, but it wasn't the one, and she put in an offer on another house.  That offer is bidding war and she didn't get it.  Agent calls me back, and says you were so nice to me and I know you are a good agent, I really want to get her back to that house for a second look and see if we can put something together.  I believe that having a good rep. with other agents goes a long, long way.

I can't begin to tell you the impact of standing at their front desk with a covered up plant has. Agents almost immediately start gathering around to see what someone was getting and peeking inside the wrapper. It has since evolved into when I show up, they KNOW someone in the office sold my listing and they begin to ask what my current inventory is.

Great idea, Gene . . .

My first broker told me that I should always give a closing gift because it makes clients less likely to litigate (GASP)

Excellent service is of course the ultimate gift.

Wow I love plants, I have been impressed to give something to the coop agent too instead of buyers or sellers, especially those agents that were actually doing their job. I think that is an excellent idea and definitely out of the box thinking. REally, when you think about it, the seller is getting money and more, the buyer is getting a house, why shouldn't we treat the other agent.

If you do your job the referrals will follow.  However, on moving day I do send my client's fruit tray, juices, waters, sandwiches for them and the movers.  If they are buying investment, we go out to dinner that night to discuss the portfolio, celebrate and the next move for investment.  

My investors, I also send them books during the year as well.  

I send floral appreciation to the agent for their hard work on my listings.  

Rob by sending the pizza you are giving them a thank you gift!  And you didn't know it.  I love the plant idea Gene.  We usually send a thank you card, but that is really nice.  I know I love it when we get a little something.

If you really want your clients to remember you 7 years from now, rather than a thank you gift you need to stay in touch.  This will also get you more referrals than that gift.  Out of sight out of mind.

Jana

Flowers are Nice !!

Professionals don't give gifts.....when is the last time you got a gift from your attorney, doctor etc.?

Send them a card saying you gave a donation to charity or wait til Thanksgiving and give them a little gift of thanks but not at the closing.

my 2 cents

Dan, I disagree with you.  they do give gifts.  the attorney may not give you a gift, but if you were a big time spender with his company, he/she would and does (think corporate).  The doctor may not hand out a "gift wrapped gift", but he does give free samples of prescriptions, lollypops to kids, etc.  Go to the optometrist and he gives a glass case for the glasses you just bought. The dentist will hand out toothpaste, floss, toothbrushes.  they may be smaller gifts, but the cost of one trip to a dentist is less expensive than buying a house.  

Giving added value is done all the time.  And the consumer likes it, smiles, and has a good feeling.

my 2 cents.

Dan, I get presents from attorneys.  My repeat clients send me books to read, one sent me slippers in appreciation for all the hard work and walking I had to do at City Hall for him.  It's about relationships - Just yesterday, one of my clients called me up at 7:30 a.m. and he knew I was doing something for him - he asked if I wanted another project?  I told him yes!  He gave me a referral.  I wasn't expecting it and then at lunch time another client knew I had a full day and he sent lunch to where I was working.  When I complete a spec house - I invite all my past clients and they are allowed to invite people that might want to join my investors club, the neighbors from each house that I have rebuilt as well as the new neighbors to a big bash at the newly completed house.  I don't have the time to spend one on one with all of them and so once a year this is kind of my annual get together party - it's not cheap but it is alot of fun and easy to catch up.  It usually lasts 8 hours.  I enjoy my clients

I am a ‘Rookie’ and I have much to learn. Giving a closing gift is an act of courtesy. Nothing more. I agree, if an agent does a good job for clients, referrals will come. The purpose of the gift is not to solicit referrals.

Selecting a gift that the client will use often will keep the agent's name in the client's memory. Most clients can not recall their agent's name five years after the transaction. The goal is to keep the agent’s name in the client’s memory.

Louise, you're right on the money. And I've seen it written many times that most clients cannot recall their agent's name ONE year after the transaction. That makes good service and communication even more critical.