An apology to PREN

I put the comments inline as well - but it looks like the few posts that were deleted have been recovered.

Morgan, I'm glad you apologized to PREN, that must have been hard. While the initial blog was very harsh to REW, if it was left alone in 2 days nobody would have remembered it. Now, it has a strong thread going in another site and many blog entries. It is likely to spread more. The employee that did this exposed your company to criminal and civil liabilities, gave credence to what your distracters are saying about you, and used a REW computer to do it. Getting off with a reprimand is extremely light.

Neal, Thank you for your comments - it sucks having to issue an apology I really have no love for those guys over at that forum - they are constantly bashing myself and my company (Although I have not ever even talked to nor had any business dealings with pretty much any of them) - they are mostly comprised of members who were banned from our forum for one reason or another and now have the dubious distinction of be called "REW Haters" - Out of all the times they have cried wolf and tried to stir things up (Which achieved nothing but made them look bad) it turns out this time, one of my team (Out of frustration) deleted a couple of posts because he was sick of them posting slanderous remarks - I think they are blowing it WAY out of proportion however. To my knowledge no law has been broken, no hacking occurred and the only things that were deleted have been recovered. Now onto your comment about reprimand - Again, I do not believe this employee did open us up to any criminal or civil liabilities - what he did do (Which I am pissed off about) is actually give these guys something to call us on for once. I have been saying to everyone who wanted to go over there and defend me - guys I know it's hard, but please stay out of it, let them dig their own grave, which is what I always say about those guys. So punishment should fit crime - but in this case there is no crime except to (Unintentionally) embarrass me and my company - It is being dealt with, but I am certainly not going to post more information or details than necessarry so that those vultures can jump all over it even more than they already have. I did issue an apology, because it is the right thing to do - however after reading their harsh comments over there, it is really hard for me to keep my mouth shut - I mean the admin is comparing someone who deleted a forum post, with a rapist - cmon man that is harsh. Not surprising - but harsh.

I'm very disappointed to read the truth of this post as I have been watching this post for several days. However, the comparision to rape is quite extreme and unwarranted. As a woman, this saddens and distrubs me greatly. It belittles and demeans those woman actually unfortunate enough to have experienced this vile crime! I can certainly understand the other forums owners feeling betrayed and put upon. But please, compare apples to apples, not forum posts to hideous crimes of violence against woman!

I am sympathetic to Jennifer's plight and will likely discuss moderation of that very post. I was hesitant to post given the situation. What has many confused and quite honestly raises questions that are both valid and just is the apparent and albeit bold allegations that PREN members are in some way deliberately combative toward REW which I do not believe is the case. All of us experience rivalry and I'm relatively certain, those who look will notice that things can be easily misinterpreted as deliberate indifference. I make posts many times to gauge opinion and attitude sometimes myself appearing as deliberate as you do now in your comment. Had it not been for the follow up post in your apology above, I likely would not have found myself commenting this very moment. When you make an apology and then leave an apology open to such scrutiny and rant only cheapens the apology and inflames the very thing you say you don't want inflamed. The continued rhetoric that is likely to grow as more forums are now discussing this very thing, in my opinion, are becoming distractions that will eventually harm each community. Its human nature to love dirty laundry and taking part in discussion of such fuels resentment. My opinion Morgan is that the responsible thing is to apologize as you have and then not attempt to justify or downplay the need to be sincere. Teaching my own daughters such lessons if using this very blog post as an example would make my kids believe its okay to apologize and then when no one is looking just talk crap and shift the burden elsewhere. I'm sorry to say that this is indicative of a global trend in attitude of self entitlement. I dont honestly believe that people around the web or at PREN are in anyway making this "blown way out of proportion" Frankly, I would have a serious and difficult time believing that if similar events had taken place with here at REW that it would be any less active or "blown way out of proportion" given the lofty size and level of membership REW has. Hot Topic! That is an understatement for sure and would likely be the subject of your diligent pursuit which no one would blame you. I'm a member of REW and have been since 2004 if memory serves and I've personally sat (watched but did not jump in) on very heated discussions about the good, bad and ugly regarding those in opposition of REW. Granted you have a community of very decent people and I've enjoyed the interaction with them, but people are people and every one of them would likely not hesitate to make mention of the ugly events had the situation been reversed. Again I'll moderate a bit more actively today to keep things in reasonable and logical discussion. Jared Ritchey

Morgan, I think it is very noble of you to step up and take the blame for what one of your staff members did. I know it took alot for you to swallow your pride and issue an apology. I respect you for that! This whole topic is starting to get out of hand with the comments that are being made. I hope that you, Mack and Mert can solve this problem amongst yourselves instead of taking it to attorneys.

Yes, it was wrong what happened. However those people are crazy as hell. They thrive on taking shots at REW whenever possible, out of pure jealousy and envy ( one of the bibles biggest sins). They have but a few members who just talk $@&# all day about nothing. I mean look at their sites and there product they are attempting to sell, PLEASE! I bynomeans do I agree with what transpired all I'm saying the so called Christians at the unknown forum are full of $&@! If you ready through the thread its easy to see the hatred and envy that's really pushing the whole thread. Michael Jordan, Alex Rodriguez and yes including myself have to deal with psychopaths who are jealous and envy's of our success. The sad thing is how can you compare a "real" company such as REW to some "fate" wannabe company. The only clients they have is themselves.

I don't want to get sucked into this or targeted by jackalls that focus on non-productive rants or something other than selling real estate so i'm posting this anonymously. I had never heard of PREN before Morgan made this post but curiousity got the best of me so I went looking for the site which does very much resemble the REW Forum. I saw the HUGE back-and-forth dialog about this event and my the first question that came to mind was "why people don't spend their energy on more productive tasks". Reading thru the posts, you would thing that someone was breaking into the Pentagon, in cahoots with Al Queda or commiting a major human rights violation. PEOPLE - GET OVER IT. If this is what worries you most in life then my heart really goes out to you. Stop the bitching, leave each other alone and build your own business on your own merits without backstabbing the competition. It only makes you look bad, especially if you are a realtor/broker that somehow finds the time to piss your day away on a message board vs. focusing on helping agents, buyers and sellers buy and sell real estate. Get back to selling real estate or helping your clients sell real estate and stop engaging eachother in this ridiculous banter.

Haven't been around in a while (probably close to a year by now), but when something this big happens, it seems worthy of my opinion. I think a few things at this point. For one, I would take into account that all computers have employees behind them, but they are all lacking a simple plan. Secondly, “I like to play, but not like this…” That sounds like me when I say, “I got bad vision and can’t hear (even though everything is in ship shape)” Morgan, looking at this situation from my perspective I see an opportunity. You’re apology and loyal fans back you, however, I see people over at PRO that have been in my shoes before. I do have to say, congratulations on the continued success of the online real estate world and have you put on some weight? King, have I ever chatted with you? You seem pretty aggressive towards PRO… Score Opinion (Due to some previously learned history. If it was a lie, I believed it) PREN: 3 REW: 2 Hey, at least you're not Vik with a 28 million dallar contract and a few pets.

Yes I have put on weight Vince (Although I have no idea who you are) and thanks for the congrats. This isn't about a score - I had all but forgotten about PREN the only time I ever look at their site is when someone sends me a link "Mert is bashing you again, aren't you going to respond" - it has taken a while for me to learn to have a thick enough skin to ignore stuff like that, but I truly do have better things to do than allow someone to goad me into an online fight, just so they can get their own popularity up through controversy - that is the typical PREN MO This time it was different though - one of my staff (Who was just trying to stick up for me) screwed up, and deleted some of Mert's posts that were bashing us - I understand it (Their frustration) and have done a lot of stupid things in my days online as well, but it doesn't make it right. The apology stands - I need to take accountability for my staff, this will not change - but where do we go from here? What I would like to see is PREN do a better job moderating their forums for blatant libel - there is a big difference between having opinions, tell people you don't like us all you want - but if you allow (Or even worse encourage) false and libelous statements, it will eventually have to come to a head - no one wants that. I don't want to get lawyers involved - not because I think I am wrong, but because it is unproductive - if I spent time trying to sue everyone that said something nasty about me, I would never get anything done. Although he is on the complete opposite side - I have gained a lot of respect for Jared in this situation, he seems to have more than just common sense, he seems to have a wisdom that I hope will rub off on the owners and other admins. Thank you Jared - I do not fault you at all for the behaviors referenced in my complaints regarding PREN. As for REW - (The forum) we will continue on course - we discuss how to improve our websites and business and that is what we are here for. And REW (The company) - This is a tough lesson to learn, ultimately it is my responsibility to educate all of my staff (Good intentions or not) - I have over 30 staff here, and my goal is that through education, and stricter policy is that this sort of thing never happens again.

Vince, to be honest I dont even know who pren is. From the thread I read all the do is spew jealousy through there forum. I guess the main reason I'm not aware of pren is because they're membership consists of 4 members who just rant about REW on a consistant basis. Any logical person can read those threads and read between the lines and obviously see the envy. I guess when your competition has thousands of clients and you have but a hand full you might get somewhat envious. However, that still no reason to act in that manor. My brokerage has about 40 agents my competitor across the street has 400, however I cant just talk trash about them when ever I get the slightest chance. Well I could accept I'd be the one looking like a fool, not them.

Well I won't hide behind a faceless id. What I will do is say good for you Morgan for appologizing. I am a member of both forums and find this type of activity very disturbing. I would not have wanted to have had anything to do with people like this but then again we all make mistakes, I know I have made more then my share. I am not that familiar with this so called fued and truthfully am not that interested. I am very intereted in learning and sharing with fellow realtor's and others involved in the real estate community and I have learned and gained from both forums as well as other's and hope to give back from time to time. I know it must suck to say sorry to someone you may not like but it is and was the right thing to do. So lets move on and keep up the sharing of knowledge. For those who feel the need to say "yeah but" why bother. A wrong was committed and an appology extended so that's enough. Who said what or did what first has little to do with current events so don't justify it with past grievences. It only makes what is viewed as a genuine appology seem less so. Again Morgan thanks for doing the right thing even if it sucks to have to do so. I for one easily respect those who do. My 2cents have a great weekend to all.

Morgan, you have done years ago what others didn`t do. You have set up something that people will remember, no matter how many others will say ¨Hey this works, let me try this as well¨. Let others speak their minds, let criticism come your way and just keep doing what you`ve been doing. One thing that will never stop when you`ve made it is people wanting a piece of you and people accusing you. I don`t know what these threads were about nor do I care. The only thing I can say is may the best man win ... ethically! Mike Dammann

I had never heard of PREN before, but took a look at it just to see what the deal was. I was more than a little disappointed.

I also think PREN is nothing to be impressed with myself. People get jealous when you have a good thing going, and try to knock the wind out of your sails.

Hi Morgan, I saw their criticisms and your response. You've always been a real gentleman as far as I'm concerned and your handling of this incident reinforces that. Cheers, John

When you are on your game and on top, people try and take you down. Glad you took the high road: Kind of like the Minnesota Vikings/Arz Cards Ex Coach Denny Green... "The Bears are who we though they were"