Episode 256 - Real estate agents, don't hold your clients hostage

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Have you ever bought something at a store, brought it home and then changed your mind about your purchase?

Perhaps you were unsatisfied with the post-sale service. Maybe it was simply the wrong size, or it was too expensive, or you simply decided to try something else.

Some stores will refund your money, no questions asked. Did they treat you like a valuable customer, if not today, then hopefully one in the future?

Others will give you a hard time, refuse refunds or try to assign penalty fees or other fine print restrictions. Did you feel like patronizing these stores ever again? No - most likely these are the stores you will share horror stories about with your friends, family and even Internet review sites.

This is my, George O'Neill's, belief. The true test of a firm is determined not by how easy it is to engage in business with it, but how easy it is to disengage in business with it.

Real estate is the same. It's true that real estate agents enter into an exclusive contract with their clients for a set period of time. However, if the clients have a change of heart, it behooves the brokerage to comply with their client's wishes. Clients should come first.

A good brokerage will also sit down with their clients to try to learn the causes for cancelling to hopefully resolve the conflict. However, if no resolution can be found, we at O'Neill Real Estate will immediately release the contract.

Unfortunately, some brokerages will hold their clients hostage for the duration of the contract. It's irresponsible behaviour and counter-productive to both parties. At the end of the contract, the only thing the brokerage will most likely reap is a very angry and unhappy ex-customer.

How to protect yourself as a client

As a client, protect yourself from being held hostage by contracts. Before signing any agreement with your agent or broker, always ask what provisions are made for exiting the contract. Make sure you get a satisfactory answer and make sure you get it in writing.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• George O'Neill
• Toronto real estate
• beach real estate
• beaches real estate
• O'Neill Real Estate
• vlog
• contract
• cancelling
• client
• customer service
• client first