I recently completed a BPO for FREE and was promised the listing when it developed. I have never worked or heard of them before. Anybody have any history with this company? Thanks in advance.

I have done 2 free bpo's for them but was never given the listing.I drove by the properties and all have other agents signs in them...I won't do anymore, but it's totally up to you what your feelings are on them.

Angie

Yup. I got a call in early Sept. to complete an exterior BPO for $65. I honestly don't remember if I got paid for it or not -- I think I did. I'll have to check. Anyway, a few weeks later, I get a call from the rep asking me if I want the listing. It's on the market now and priced low to sell quick. Too bad it's not quick enough for the investor who called me himself this morning and told me I had to sell it within the next two weeks and told me to do whatever it takes (except going more than $3k below the current list price).

Personally, I no longer work for free. Been there, done that. I told them that I would be happy to complete a BPO for my usual fee and would refund that amount upon receipt of the listing. I think thats fair. Of course I'll probably never hear from them again but thats cool.

I get a call from them to do an interior. Started asking for details, young lady had to ask her sup when it was due, the fee? Accepted the assignment, get an e-mail from the sup....it's $50 for an interior. Responded that I don't do interiors for less than $75 and she got approval. Got the payment...$50.
I've sent two e-mails to get my $25. I hate chasing such a small amount but this irritates me!

Bumping. Do they use reotrans or res.net as a platform?

Neither. They have their own forms they send you.

I think my rule of thumb from now on is to ask for the listing in writing before performing the free bpo.

When will agents learn that loss leaders have a very poor return in the real estate business.

If you want to give away your time, skills and resources to do free BPOs consider doing them for FSBOs, at least you will have a chance at getting a listing.

Good asset management clients are willing to pay for your services, those that are asking you to do them for free on the chance you will get the listing (sometimes they will even admit contingent on them getting the property) is just speculation.

If gambling is your thing go to a casino!

I've had pretty good luck in the past doing freebies for listings - but lately it doesn't seem to be working.

Last one I did these were the words of the lady who called me ,(interior bpo for a well known company - not Insource)

"we are re-assigning this listing and if you do the BPO for me, the listing will be yours"

Next thing I know, agent has a price reduction to MY price - I emailed the person who I spoke to and these were her words now :

"you misunderstood, it doesn't work that way, I said IF we re-assign the listing, it will be yours."

UMMM....no she didn't say that but what I am going to do - not worth getting blacklisted over. But I do remember her name and will not accept freebies from that company anymore.

Did she have an accent when she told you this??? You know I don't hear so well these days after all the Pink Floyd concerts. (Aren't they English...and I see a lawsuit here) I hate dealing with these out of towners.

If you want to deal with American speak American and if your are French then speak French. If your are Indian than speak Indian. I happen to be almost one fourth American Indian. But we mostly speak english unless we really want to mess the new Americans.

I would recommend that you make it known on your real estate business card. Instead of "A referral is the best compliment anyone can receive" statement you sometimes see in the back of business cards, you could replace this text with something like this: "Do you have an accent?...I hate dealing with out of towners, don't call me".

This should help cut down the potential headaches of dealing with such people & their potential business.

yes... I see a lawsuit in someones future....

In America speak American? I can't say I've ever heard of a language that is called "Ameircan." Maybe I should check out Rosetta Stone.

Wow...talk about making assumptions! Yes, she spoke "American" quite clearly.

And whatever do you mean you "hate dealing with these out of towners?" She was an Asset Manager - would I expect her to be local? Or do you mean you hate dealing with buyers who are from out of town?

I'm lost...this has nothing to do with my post or what the thread is about.