let's say that a young entreprenureal agent saw the opprotunity to generate buyer leads at no (very little) cost. Now, again assume that that the hypothetical agent went to a local store and spyed racks and racks of home showcase publications. Would that agent have violated any ethical standards if he stapled his or her business card to roughly 50 magazines?

Come on, you know the answer to this.

This is wrong for many reasons. First and foremost you are vandalising their publication. Secondly you getting "free" advertising by circumventing their paid advertising. Thirdly you are getting "free" advertising from the store without their permission.

But I have to point out that if you were going to be brazenly unethical and do this, at least do it right! Why waste your time putting a business card in there when a flyer or postcard or letter would be far more effective?

Anyhow due to the many reasons this is wrong I'd personally be reluctant to use an agent who advertised this way.

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Jason in Dallas
Telecom Sales and Service Manager
RE license coming soon

Do you really have to ask if that is unethical?

If so, I think you're going to be the type of Realtor that gives others a bad name. Just wonderful.

I mean really, you have to think about whether going into a bookstore and vandalizing their products is ethical or not? Never mind the Realtor Code of Ethics, how about the concept of being a courteous, law-abiding member of society?

Not a good idea. At least you asked hypothetically before you did it. Usually your gut feeling is right - did your gut say "not a good idea" to you? I'm thinking yes, that's why you asked for feedback on this idea. Good luck and try something your gut and the Ethics rules agree with.