The kinds of vendors our clients ask us to point them to are loan officers, home inspectors, termite inspectors, contractors, electricians, plumbers, handymen, flooring installers, painters, escrow officers, insurance agents, landscapers, home cleaners, property managers, locksmiths, etc.
I had a few discussions this week with other agents about giving referrals of vendors to clients. I have my own set of rules in regards to vendors.
- I only give names I trust completely to take care of my clients and will make me look good.
- I have a list that is extremely difficult for a vendor to get on. They can be removed in 2 seconds.
- I would rather give the name of a really good loan officer, home inspector, etc. that I have complete faith in, than a list of several that are OK.
- I accept no compensation from vendors for referrals. I only require they give first class service.
- Venders who offer kick-backs, etc. can't be on my list.
- I do not require a vendor to send referrals to me to be on my list. As much as I love to get referrals, I put client service ahead of all else.
I know many agents who believe they are protected from liability by giving many names to their clients. I have heard some agents give 10 or more. To the contrary, they would be better protected to give one really good name than several mediocre names. Any name you give better be someone who you trust with your business and reputation, because that is what they have.
Good luck and good home selling!
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Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR
Century 21 Liberty Homes
Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers. His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.
Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) Performs mediations and ombudsman services for the Board of Realtors. To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents.
www.HawaiiRandy.com * Oahu (Honolulu County) Property Search * Hawaii Military Relocations
If you know that someone is very good why not give the name.
I give referrals all the time and receive no compensation for it. In fact I usually give at least 2 names. seems to be the way to go.
I am with you. If I know that a vendor does great work that I can be proud of, I recommend them. I don't ask them for referrals or discounts for my or my client - what matters is that they will do a good job for my clients.
Good list, Randy.
It should serve your clients well. I try to recommend service providers I have used myself when I can. If they won't take good care of me, I can't recommend them to clients.
Great tips Randy,
Nothing will discredit you faster than giving a vendor referral that just doesn't perform.
I have a very small list of vendors I refer too. Most I have used here myself, personally and for my clients.
Randy~
It makes sense to share the good news...and it is good news when I find a resource I can rely on...so I always be sure to get a batch of business cards. I refer people to my clients with whom I've had positive experiences.
Randy - these are good recomendations. I am pretty fussy about who I will pass along, and generally it is someone I have used personally. But if not they must come highly recommended from someone I know well or from a client who has used them. I have yet to have someone complain that a referral did not work out.
Jeff
Great List Randy!!! I ditto all! In addition, I only recommend people that I personally use myself! I believe that is the best reference I can give! Great post!
Hi Randy,
I'm in agreement with your philosophy of not receiving a referral fee, etc. Not a change. I refer them because I think they're the best out there. However, in some cases I do refer more than one in a field, and it's not a matter of being mediocre, if they're not top-notch I wouldn't refer them in the first place.
Btw, we have a book in my office we call the "resource" list, it's a compilation of services (many very unusual) used by the agents, anyone on the list is identified by the agent using the service.
EHS - If they are good.
Bryan - I sometimes give only one, if I only have one I trust completely to be good.
Virginia H. - A good job is the only thing that matters.
Mike J. - I do the same thing. I have tried handyman and other folks like landscapers and electricians on my own home first.
Gabe S. - I can definitely kill any recommendations from those clients.
Gary - A small list is OK as long as it is a good list.
janeAnne - I put them on a list that I can hand to clients.
Jeff D. - Being fussy about referrals is one of the things that keep our reputation strong.
Lynda - We also share feedback between us in the office about vendors.
Randy, Your rules sound like my rules. I always feel like if I make a referral it is my reputation on the line so I only refer those who will keep my reputation intact.
Marchel - You are right it is your reputation when you give a referral.
That's exactly how I work, too, Randy. Hard to get on my list; easy to get booted off!
Aloha,
Robin
Robin - I know your clients appreciate that.