Difficult Clients

[rew tracy]

What types of clients do you find the most difficult to deal with? Ones I thought of were indecisive buyers and sellers, and clients who think they know more than you do. How do you handle clients that stress you out or waste your time? Can you essentially fire a client if you've simply had enough?

Inquiring minds want to know

[Steve Didier]

Absolutely. I just fired 4 listings - they refused to lower their price to where it needed to be so I let them go. It was wasting my time and theirs.

Also, I tell my clients that I will update them one time per week or if something happens that needs to be brought to their attention (like an offer...). If they are the type that needs to call every day, I will usually remind them a couple times of my policy but if they persist that can get them fired as well.

[papaul1621]

The clients that I have difficult with are buyers who only want to make low ball offers. Even if the asking price is below market value and they know it would be a good deal if they offer full asking price, they still want to offer 10-15% below asking.

[ericbramlett]

IMHO, bad clients are people who won't listen to your advice. I always tell my clients that I help more people buy or sell real estate in a month than most people buy or sell in their lifetime. There's a reason that we have jobs - because we are experts.

Clients who flatly refuse to lower their asking price when the market dictates, or who insist upon submitting ridiculously low offers need to be reminded of this once - and then let go the second time it happens.

[Michael Paul Eau Claire]

My state's listing contracts say that neither party can unilaterally decide to end the contract before the expiration. I have a few that I wish I could fire, but I have to stick them out until the expiration.

Eric, Steve, and others who have "fired" clients: Do you have special language in your contract, ie, not following your advice is a breach of contract? Or by "fire" do you mean not renewing after the contract time is up?

[ericbramlett]

Eric, Steve, and others who have "fired" clients: Do you have special language in your contract, ie, not following your advice is a breach of contract? Or by "fire" do you mean not renewing after the contract time is up?

No - it's really not necessary. When you explain that you feel that you aren't a good fit, they agree to go separate ways.

[ericbadgley]

I agree with Eric Bamlett. I don't and won't work with clients that do not think our service is of value and will not listen to our advise. I explain to my clients that you are not paying for a sign in your but you are paying for my advise as well.

[kid disco]

As a consultant who handles clients, I never fire my problem clients... I just raise my rates.

If they choose to discontinue... fine with me.

If they stay on and pay more... okay with me.

If they stay on and pay more and become even more problematic... raise my rates.

[Steve Didier]

My state's listing contracts say that neither party can unilaterally decide to end the contract before the expiration. I have a few that I wish I could fire, but I have to stick them out until the expiration.

Eric, Steve, and others who have "fired" clients: Do you have special language in your contract, ie, not following your advice is a breach of contract? Or by "fire" do you mean not renewing after the contract time is up?

I would doubt most clients know that part of the contract. One way I have handled it is I make an appointment with them and present them with two forms - one a Change Order reducing the price and the other is an Unconditional Withdrawal canceling the contract.

Or just tell them that you feel that you are unable to assist them any further and that you are terminating the listing contract. Believe me, most people will not fight to stay listed with you. The beauty of firing problem clients is that it will free up your time and your mind to find great people to work with and represent.

I like Kid Disco and his approach - too bad we are locked in to a certain commission at the time of contract... I would love to see the look on somebody's face when I arbitrarily raised the listing commission to 12%.

[clearwaterhomes]

Worst clients for me are investors (2nd homes), best clients are relocations.