I found myself showing an attorney and his wife on Friday when about half way through the tour, he asked me a question that legally, I simply couldn't answer. The conversation went like this:
Attorney- Tacky question
Lefevre- "I don't know" (repulsed)
Lefevre- (remembering he was an attorney)
Lefevre-"Aren't you an attorney"
Attorney-"yes"
Lefevre-"Don't you know the laws I'm required to adhere to"?
Attorney-"yes"
Lefevre-"Then why did you ask"?
Attorney-"uh...I don't know'.
After other questionable integrity issues it made me wonder if he wasn't trying to set me up for a lawsuit. It sounds dramatic but if you think about the circumstances here, ya just gotta wonder what was up this guys sleeve. It's not often that us REALTORS fall victim to someone maliciously looking for a reason to sue but it does happen. He could've just been testing my intelligence...I dunno. Photo by Walt Disney Pictures
It doesn't matter.
Here's the deal.
If you're thinking about pirating my booty over some frivolous lawsuit, you need to go somewhere else.
First and foremost, I'm Naples Smart Girl. It will be easier to win a lawsuit with somebody who's dumb.
Secondly, I work damn hard for the little money I have and quite frankly, I use it to support my family and charities, I choose. It's not for you.
Last but not least, what little I have is not worth going through the motions, I'm sure there's a much better jackpot out there if you keep looking...then of course you could always get a better paying job.
Best Regards,
Your Naples Smart Girl!
Serving my purpose through content rich informaton about Naples, Florida real estate!
Best Regards!
Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!
239-595-6223
www.ShannonLefevre.com
“The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of John R. Wood Realtors.”
He could have just been testing your knowledge, just to see how competent you are. Unless you carried yourself like you have alot of money!!
Jacksonville Florida Homes, Jacksonville FL Luxury Real Estate and Short Sale Homes for Sale
After you've been in sales long enough, nothing will surprise you. Good for you for standing up to "tacky".
Take care.
That would be a big negative Mike. I don't carry myself like anything that I am not. :) If here were so interested in my intelligence, he could've determined if I would be a suitable Realtor after reading my blog since he found me on the Internet to begin with. :)
CINDY: Oh I know, I've been in this magical business for 12 years now. Thanks for commenting...I do think I surprised him a little with the dialog! :)
I have responded to those type of question with "As an attorney, you KNOW I can't answer a question like that".
I'm very hesitant to ascribe devious and sinister motives to people... I always like to think that it's merely a stupid comment, until proven otherwise. As long as you slap them down... and they don't keep coming back with those anti-trust questions... I'd presume it was a silly mistake.
If he continues to ask those questions... I'd let him know, in no uncertain terms, that you cannot answer those questions, and that if he continues to ask them, it will make you very uncomfortable, and he'd have to find another agent.
Hi Shannon,
This story reminded me of a an incredibly obnoxious phone call I received at the office. After an unbelievable few minutes, I ended the call. Afterwards, I told myself that it had to be a state tester, as no one could be so hateful.
Perhaps that was the case here???
Shannon,
Great story. You handled yourself very well. The sad part is that he may not have known it was illegal - meaning he knew less about his business than you about yours. :)
Steve
ALAN: I'm very hesitant to ascribe devious and sinister motives too....and if the shoe fits...
SANDY: Isn't that crazy???
I hope you didn't waste your day touring with a "fake" buyer!
If the attorney specializes in a different area of law, he may not be completely aware of every rule that we must adhere to. Hopefully he was just being tacky and not trying to bait you. Whenever someone asks me a legal type of question, I usually preface my answer with, "Since I am not an attorney I cannot give you a legal opinion, but it is my understanding that..."
Steve...hee hee, you're funny!
Kelly, I'm with ya chicky... :)
Shannon, I too have dealt with my share of attorneys and usually I end up dropping them. The reason is, they are usually obnoxious, think they know everything, and they try and bait me with "tacky" questions.
I always have felt that the reason they do this is not because their looking to sue me etc.. but more that they want to prove how "smart" they are and how "dumb" we are. If you were to have answered any of his questions he then would have started to "teach" you.
You did the right thing putting him in his place, and I hope you dropped the guy.
Shannon - You got me with the title, but the post was really worth it. I've been down this road too, it usually ends up with us parting ways.
CHRISTOPHER: Oh hang on, some of my favorite clients are attorneys. They're not all bad...just like all us Realtors didn't coerce people into buying stuff people couldn't afford. :)
DEBBIE: You're funny! :)
Regardless of your client's motivation, you handled the situation well. Is he still a client?
When I scanned this, I thought it said "Body" not "Booty" and I was thinking this was going to be a really tacky guy - well, he is!
Shannon, that's hilarious. Like the man said, "Let's kill all the lawyers." Some, I like very much, though. This guy sounds like a clown. Would you voluntarily put your booty in his hands?
OK, so I know better than to try to touch this one with a ten foot pole...
Your friend in Charlottesville!
Shannon, I did not mean to put all Attorneys into this catagory, I read my comment and I said "I usually end up dropping them" that does not mean I drop all of them. I'm sorry if I did not clarify myself enough, I too now some Attorneys that I like to work with.
Doing the right thing and speaking the truth are 2 things in life that are always easy to defend! It also allow you to place you head on the pillow at night knowing you've done the right thing. It will come back to you 10-fold.
Doing the right thing and speaking the truth are 2 things in life that are always easy to defend! It also allow you to place you head on the pillow at night knowing you've done the right thing. It will come back to you 10-fold.
So what was the tacky question? What rule did it violate? Fair housing? Just dying to know.
ALAN: I'm very hesitant to ascribe devious and sinister motives too....and if the shoe fits...
Well... once they're proven it... they've proven it... [ you can quote me on that, if you like :-) ]
If they're truly devious, then you have to respond. But I presume it's innocent, or stupid until proven otherwise. Once proven otherwise, I'll drop them faster than an ugly dress hits the ground on prom night.
Erik: Thanks...let's just say I took the high road.
Patricia: FUNNY
Charlie: Not voluntarily. :)
Charles: I understand completely!
Christopher: I am SO not worried about you. I know you're a good guy! :)
Greg: Absolutely no doubt about it!
Erica: Not important to know the gory details my dear..
Alan: Too funny...but I doubt your date had an ugly dress on or off on prom night! :)
There are attorneys out there who derive supplemental income out of suing Realtors, so no, you were not overreacting. There is in fact an attorney here who has earned a fair amount of notoriety for trapping agents similarly, and suing the pants off them after the fact. All the more reason to do the right thing at all times. If not for altruistic, ethical reasons, then for self-preservation.
To think the schmuck made a play for the Smart Girl booty. Silly goose.
Paul: It just goes to show ya...you just never know. :)
There's a fine line between stupid and sly like a fox.
What was he up to? Didn't he know he was dealing with Naples Smart Girl!
From afar I think your booty looks pretty darn good - LOL
Erica: ABSOLUTELY
MIKE: Apparently not...long time no see! :)
BILL: Too funny! :)
Good for you SMART GIRL.. Take no prisoners!!