The following case study is taken from the Professional Standards files of the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington. 

 

Salesperson A contacted ABC Brokerage Realty Inc. to make an appointment to view 123 Anywhere Street.   Upon driving by 123 Anywhere Street, the Buyer Clients decided they did not like the location and declined to view the property.   Salesperson A did not contact the Listing Brokerage or the Seller to indicate they would not be attending the appointment.

The Sellers were extremely upset as they had had to tidy up and get three young children and two dogs out of the house, only to find out that no one showed up for the appointment. They expressed their disappointment and frustration to their Sales Representative that the other Sales Representative acted  “unprofessional” and lacked courtesy for not advising they had to cancel the appointment.

The Listing Sales Representative filed a complaint with the Professional Standards Committee against Salesperson A.

Salesperson A opted for an Abbreviated Hearing for a breach of the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton Burlington Rules and Regulations, Section 8 – Selling Procedures, Sub- Section 8.04 which states:

If a Member is unable to keep an appointment, the Member shall:

  1. where the appointment was made directly with the Listing Brokerage, advise the Listing Brokerage, or if direct contact with the Listing Brokerage is not possible, advise the Seller directly; or
  2. where the appointment was made directly with Seller as permitted under these Rules, advise the Seller directly.

The Member was assessed $250 Hearing Costs and a $500 fine.

 

Moral of the story:
Members are responsible for notifying the Listing Brokerage or Seller if they are not able to keep their appointment.  Not cancelling an appointment is not only considered as “unprofessional” by both the consumer and fellow members, but is also a breach of RAHB’s Rules and Regulations, and shows a lack of respect to all parties involved.