Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with OP. This has nothing to do with the options either a gift or cutting commission. It's a thank you. And frankly a good business practice on the part of the realtor. Every realtor we've used, except our first one who was brand new, gave us a gift.

Same with our friends.

Well said. OP would have been fine with no gift, but don't send marketing materials to your clients as a thank you for earning $30K. That's essentially a gift to the realtor for the clients to give you free marketing. Something like a tumbler with the realtor's name should be given as promotional materials to drum up business, not as a thank you for business they just gave you. Maybe it could be given alongside a real gift for closing.

It would be wise for realtors to give a small gift after each transaction. If it went well, then it would end the deal on a very positive note and make the clients more likely to refer people to you and use you again. If it went badly, then it might soften the blow and keep your clients from bad mouthing you. A bottle of wine, gourmet food, or something the clients like are all inexpensive options that could net you another transaction.

Also you might avoid a childish and petty former client naming you on a public message board. Anonymously, of course.

Anonymous wrote:I got a beautiful little framed art picture of the house once too, that was a good gift. Most recently I bought an inexpensive condo and the realtor gave me a basket with dishtowels, a coffee mug and other assorted housewarming type gifts, I appreciated it very much.

I think it's possible your Yeti tumbler was a commentary on how easy or difficult it was to work with you. Perhaps she or he does not really want any repeat business from you? Considering the current downturn in the market that is a bit of a serious issue you might want to consider.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with OP. This has nothing to do with the options either a gift or cutting commission. It's a thank you. And frankly a good business practice on the part of the realtor. Every realtor we've used, except our first one who was brand new, gave us a gift.

Same with our friends.

Well said. OP would have been fine with no gift, but don't send marketing materials to your clients as a thank you for earning $30K. That's essentially a gift to the realtor for the clients to give you free marketing. Something like a tumbler with the realtor's name should be given as promotional materials to drum up business, not as a thank you for business they just gave you. Maybe it could be given alongside a real gift for closing.

It would be wise for realtors to give a small gift after each transaction. If it went well, then it would end the deal on a very positive note and make the clients more likely to refer people to you and use you again. If it went badly, then it might soften the blow and keep your clients from bad mouthing you. A bottle of wine, gourmet food, or something the clients like are all inexpensive options that could net you another transaction.

Also you might avoid a childish and petty former client naming you on a public message board. Anonymously, of course.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with OP. This has nothing to do with the options either a gift or cutting commission. It's a thank you. And frankly a good business practice on the part of the realtor. Every realtor we've used, except our first one who was brand new, gave us a gift.

Same with our friends.

Well said. OP would have been fine with no gift, but don't send marketing materials to your clients as a thank you for earning $30K. That's essentially a gift to the realtor for the clients to give you free marketing. Something like a tumbler with the realtor's name should be given as promotional materials to drum up business, not as a thank you for business they just gave you. Maybe it could be given alongside a real gift for closing.

It would be wise for realtors to give a small gift after each transaction. If it went well, then it would end the deal on a very positive note and make the clients more likely to refer people to you and use you again. If it went badly, then it might soften the blow and keep your clients from bad mouthing you. A bottle of wine, gourmet food, or something the clients like are all inexpensive options that could net you another transaction.

Also you might avoid a childish and petty former client naming you on a public message board. Anonymously, of course.

AgentX wrote:I always find the responses in these gift threads to be so fascinating. I personally love giving gifts and I tailor what I get to be a combination of something from a local vendor and something useful for their new home. I recently learned that other agents do not give gifts, seeing this as a business transaction. I think for them, they are sadly mistaken. My broker told me many ways in which the other "top producers" at my company are super cheap and won't spend a dime on things. I was really taken aback.

We are involved with a very personal decision, and assist with one of the largest financial purchases you may ever make. This is a great opportunity to give a meaningful gift, to show the client how much you listened, how much you enjoyed working with them. I also send many of my clients 4-5 gifts a year which results in many texts, calls, emails of gratitude. I'm happy to do it and happy for their trust in me. Curating just the right gift is an art, and it's fun!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with OP. This has nothing to do with the options either a gift or cutting commission. It's a thank you. And frankly a good business practice on the part of the realtor. Every realtor we've used, except our first one who was brand new, gave us a gift.

Same with our friends.

Well said. OP would have been fine with no gift, but don't send marketing materials to your clients as a thank you for earning $30K. That's essentially a gift to the realtor for the clients to give you free marketing. Something like a tumbler with the realtor's name should be given as promotional materials to drum up business, not as a thank you for business they just gave you. Maybe it could be given alongside a real gift for closing.

It would be wise for realtors to give a small gift after each transaction. If it went well, then it would end the deal on a very positive note and make the clients more likely to refer people to you and use you again. If it went badly, then it might soften the blow and keep your clients from bad mouthing you. A bottle of wine, gourmet food, or something the clients like are all inexpensive options that could net you another transaction.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with OP. This has nothing to do with the options either a gift or cutting commission. It's a thank you. And frankly a good business practice on the part of the realtor. Every realtor we've used, except our first one who was brand new, gave us a gift.

Same with our friends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely nothing from our realtor, Nancy Matisoff, and she got a commission buying our new home and selling our old one. Working with her was a disaster from start to finish.

I think some realtors, like yours and mine, rode the insane real estate market wave for the last two years and lost sight of common decency. They took it for granted and forgot how to show appreciation. That is awful she didn't send something.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely nothing from our realtor, Nancy Matisoff, and she got a commission buying our new home and selling our old one. Working with her was a disaster from start to finish.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A $35 branded tumbler is outright insulting. I'm sure OP would rather have received nothing.

OP here - this is exactly my point. I wasn't expecting anything and would have preferred nothing rather than a tumbler with the realtors name on it.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely nothing from our realtor, Nancy Matisoff, and she got a commission buying our new home and selling our old one. Working with her was a disaster from start to finish.