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Helping your clients with their moving needs may not be in the official job description as a real estate agent, but many times they turn to you with helping them find a reputable Moving company.
It’s not the best of ideas to tell your clients they have to use “Company ABC” or “Company XYZ” for their moving needs – unless you’re VERY confident in the service – otherwise it could come back on you if they have a bad experience. Instead, it’s best usually to give them a list of companies they can choose – or of course refer them to a website that lets your clients compare and choose across several Moving Companies. Sites such as Movers.com can even help clients find International movers.
You can never be too careful when referring services to clients – be it home inspectors, real estate attorneys, moving companies, handymen and other services they might need that you can’t provide yourself. Giving them a resource that lets them compare and research various services will help them make their own independent, well-informed decision. Also importantly, it lessens your liability if the client should choose a company and then decide you’re the one to blame for them using the service and encountering problems.
What do you think? Have any bad experiences with referring clients to another company for services? Do you practice the habit of giving your clients a choice?
4 Comments
Over time, we all get to work with or see the work of people doing pool work, landscaping, handyman services, etc. Having no referral network is a bad thing – we’re in the service business.
I agree. You should be very careful about referring people to crappy services. I hear you man! I did that once and was quite embarrassed.
I competely agree about only providing a list. Esspecally with moving companies, I have never heard of anyone moving a entire home/condo without one thing getting dirty, strached, discolored, etc. something always happens. Give them as much information as you can but let them be the decision maker.
You may also want to advise them to take out insurance just in case something does happen with the move.