Without question, the most unprofessional and childish experience I've ever had with a Real Estate agent.
I spent about 2 hours with one of their representatives looking at various properties to lease, but I ultimately decided to stay in the space I was already using. I informed the agent that I wasn't going to be moving after all, and I thanked him for his time. In fact, I went so far as to buy $150 in gift certificates to a local restaurant that he liked, and I bought him some software related to his field, because he was sketching out details on napkins, rather than using using design software to show clients dimensions. (Another $100.)
And what was his response? He angrily told me that I owed him over $2,000 -- the entire commission he WOULD have gotten, if I had taken the space I was considering. (In flagrant violation of California State law regarding Realtors.) Not only that, he actually contacted my current landlord and tried to get him to sue me and my partner.
And don't think this person is some low-level flunky. He told me that he was in line to become a partner at Lee & Associates. I've seen his name attached to many properties for lease in the area. And every time I pity the person unlucky enough to deal with such a vicious and spiteful individual.
Do business with these people at your own peril. If you anger them, you may find they not only demand payment for services never they rendered, but they may also interfere with your current lease, and attempt to spark a lawsuit between you and your landlord. read more