I got fired today! The guy is such a liar, he has to be a repub.

[FloridaPat]

I started real estate sales about 5 weeks ago. I've been having trouble with my boss because he's one of those people that promise a lot, but never do anything. Every time the same subject comes up, I get a different story on how things work. Plus he's a time management expert who is the worst person I have ever seen with time management in real life.

Tuesday he comes to town and we meet at a restaurant. He tells me I'm not keeping up with everyone else so obviously I have a problem and if things don't improve I'm out. The statistics he told me were: 1. the new guy got 3 listings last week while I only got two and 2. another lady that started the same time I did has 13 listing while I have a measly 6. He said the facts speak for themselves. So I did a little complaining about things that were said about running ads and he said he would run this one ad I sent end a month ago which they refuse to run.

Well, I knew the lady in question started before me. So I started making phone calls. The lady started 2-4 weeks before me and only has 10 listings. As for the newby - he only got 2 listing last week. Needless to say I was not a happy camper.

So I got a call from this customer who I was trying to get the ad run. I told her to call and complain. Maybe something will get done. So the guy calls me to find out what is going on. He tells me it's impossible to sell a home in 1 week and that they decide which ads run, no me. I asked him if he put the ad in he said he would. He kept saying they decide the ads not me. So after trying to get an answer to my question, I was told things were not working out and I was fired. I immediately called his boss and told him about Tuesday and how I was told I was imcompent because of facts that were lies and I can't work well with a liar.

What's interesting is how this guy just talks and if anyone asks him why something or other wasn't done, it's always someone else's fault and he's a great manager and a time management expert. And if I tell him of quotes of his, it's me and my problem because I have a hearing problem of some sort. And another interesting thing is I'm the only one who cares that this guy promises the world and delivers nothing. One person I talked to says she like him because he's trying.

Sorry for ranting. Liars always get my goat. And this is the worst I have ever seen in the business world.

[Cha]

1. As you know..you're much better off

Outta there. When a door slams in your face ..a window is flung open somewhere :)

I know it helps to get the rants out!

[liberalhistorian]

4. That's for sure!

I've been fired from jobs and at first it was devastating. Then it always turned out to be the best thing that could have happened because something better was always waiting for me. Like now; I lost a job in December and thought I would die, I didn't think I could take it. But now, I'm living and working in the city I've always wanted to be in, Rapid City, SD (near the Black Hills), and at a job that may pay less but it's something I've ALWAYS wanted to do. I've never been happier in a job. So, things usually do have a way of working out for the best, as trite as that may sound sometimes.

PM me if you need help with a resume; I write resumes and cover letters as a "side business" and I'd be glad to help at no charge.

[FloridaPat]

12. Thank you. The is so nice of you.

[nookiemonster]

24. Good for you. Rapid City is a great town.

I spent 4 years working for Uncle Sham at Ellsworth AFB. I was a Minuteman II missile technician (41151A).

The Black Hills are a strange oddity. All that beauty surrounded by nothing. And I mean NOTHING. My ex-wife was from NE Wyoming and that had more going for it. LOL

[datasuspect]

2. i'll try and be delicate

but you're blaming everything and everybody else.

we could concede that should possibly have given you more time if you had never done sales before, but results are results.

the field is very cutthroat.

what kind of attitude were you bringing to the table?

[FloridaPat]

10. The point was I was doing as well as the other folks. He lied about

what the other folks were doing.

[datasuspect]

13. i guess sometimes

bad fit just means personality conflict.

[funflower]

16. Do you know anything about real estate sales? 6 listings is pretty darned

good for somebody who has been on the job only 6 weeks! I have several friends who sell real estate, and they usually don't have 13 listings going at a time, but they make a pretty good living nonetheless.

If the OP really wants to RE sales, I'd say find another broker and go for it.

On the other hand, I can't imagine many jobs that would be more unbearable. I wouldn't last an afternoon!

[datasuspect]

18. i know a lot about sales

and it is about $$$$

you guard your attitude like fort knox. you GET IT DONE.

you can pretty much go off on your boss every day if you're a closer/producer.

they generally will fuck with you, but don't fire you.

unless it was a very small outfit/extreme personality clash/bad fit/what have you.

but i've seen colleagues go off on managers and situations almost escalate to physical violence.

making somebody an assload of money though wipes away a lot of shit.

[funflower]

20. Sounds like pure hell. No amount of $$$ is worth that if you ask me.

[datasuspect]

22. the money is a big part

but the adrenalin rush is better than any dope i've ever taken.

[funflower]

29. I guess somebody's gotta do it. Enjoy!

[liberalhistorian]

19. I wouldn't, either, which is why

I never went into the field even though I worked for a real estate attorney for three years and people thought I should do it. NO FUCKING WAY! I have nothing but respect for those who can actually stomach the job and do well in it.

[kikiek]

3. My sister is a realtor. That is a rough job. Wherever you land will

be better. Good luck.

[jedr]

5. It's nice to have a "cyber-cat" to kick at a time like this;

Not every job works out; and the sun comes up again tomorrow.

[niallmac]

6. I don't know a damn thing about your job but I like your fight. Hang tough

[shadowknows69]

7. Been there

and I feel your loss. I had a couple bosses in radio who would sit there and lie right to your face and never even acknowledge when he was caught in it. I went to my supervisor once to try to find out an evaluation of my work on a new position I'd been at for over a year. He'd only given me one evaluation before that which was this bullshit "fill out your own evaluation form" and then he just agreed or disagreed. Got flying colors with that one. Anyhoo I had a sit down with him to find out if I'd been doing well and to gauge if my immediate future was secure because my wife and I needed to get a new vehicle and I wanted to know whether to finance one or go looking for a duct tape special for around 1000. I was given the usual. Asset to the company blah blah blah. 3 months later I was downsized. Thanks. Luckily I didn't finance the car anyway but I would have been screwed. Also budgets had been done by this time and this guy new when my axe was scheduled to fall.

[Ian David]

8. I've had some pretty shitty bosses, too. Thinking about writing a book...

"100 Bosses that are screwing-up America."

Hang in there and don't get discouraged.

[shadowknows69]

9. Dude play with this!!!

<http://www.little-planet.net/bush/1.swf> just imagine your bosses face on Bush. You'll feel better trust me. B-)


PS click and hold on bush to throw him around

[tinfoilinfor2005]

17. you're right...very soothing!

[Robert Oak]

11. firing in the US means nothing anymore

There are not ethics, no fair play and if your boss is an idiot,
they can fire you and there is nothing you can do about it...
pure power play.

I see so many stories like this, makes you look bad with no rhyme or reason or justification really to do that to someone.

[FloridaPat]

14. Thanks everyone. you've made my day.

[kittenpants]

15. I'm sorry!

it's beyond frustrating to have a boss like that. I have a very similar boss right now too (liar, incompetent...), but I'm lucky that my other co-workers see it and we can bitch to each other to let off steam. Like others have said, you're better off not having to spend years working under a person like that. You'll find somewhere that's a better fit.

Do you have any idea why you were actually fired if the #'s the boss gave you aren't real? Do you think you WERE under-producing compared to others & your boss just exaggerated it or was there something else? He shouldn't have to lie to justify firing you!

[FloridaPat]

26. I called his boss and told him what happened. He said he had no idea

there was a problem and that 6 listings is normal for the number of weeks. One lady has worked for the firm for about a year and won't do more than 10 listings. Says she can't help more than 10 sellers at one time.

[Triana]

21. He ought to run for President....

...give George some stiff competition. Which one can tell the most lies, obfuscate the most, make empty promises, etc?

[skids]

23. Have you considered....

...being a buyer's agent? Then you could really stick it to them. Man do realtors hate buyer's agents.

[FloridaPat]

25. What's a buyers agent?

[skids]

31. Explained here...

Ah, so many people do not know this! The seller's agents must have been very successful in controlling information.

Here is a description from a buyers agent that came highly reccommended to me in my area (I decided to hold off on buying, though, so I haven't actually done business with him.) This one specializes in testing houses for allergens and toxins, but that's just his "value added" not a requisite.

http://ecorealty.org/

(Check out the FAQ and other links on the sidebar, as the description is in there somewhere.)

Basically when a house is sold there is a commission attached, unless there are no brokers involved (for sale by owner and no buyer's broker.)

When there is both a buyer's broker and a seller's broker, they split the commission. But when there is only one broker they get the whole commission. Legally when they do this, they are supposed to be representing both the buyer and seller fairly, but of course, that is up to them and they can shaft the buyer by advising them to buy more than they can afford, or a property with hidden issues, or by not negotiating down the price -- all with very little risk of getting caught at it.

By using an exclusive buyer's broker the buyer purchases, through the commission, an agent that works just for him, not for the seller, and is much more likely to warn him out of a bad deal and perform in his best interests. (There is still the issue of price negotiation, but buyer's brokers tend to do that agressively because they know that the grapevine is their best advertising outlet.)

[TheCentepedeShoes]

32. You specialize

in representing the buyer rather than the seller. You negotiate the best deal for your client, and in most cases the commission is paid by the seller. Mr. 'pede was a commercial broker in FL for 25 years. He represented mostly buyers, but helped those folks sell their properties when they were ready to move on or acquire another place. Don't know where you are (Tampa area, maybe?) But interview some more brokers. And it's the reverse of a normal job interview - you're interviewing THEM to see if you feel like hanging your license with their office. See if FREC has some guidelines for you.

[Digit]

34. Buyer's Agents ARE Realtors

There are just some who represent buyers instead of sellers.
This began in California, actually.
Once upon a time, agents represented only sellers. Even if an agent was contacted by a purchaser...their allegience was to the seller. When I was first licensed in 1979, I questioned this practice. (Being the rabble rouser I am...) I was "told" I had to disclose any information I obtained from a prospective purchaser TO the seller.
I thought this was patently unfair, and would tell my buyers not to tell me their bottom line.
The early 80's came, along with outrageous interest rates and I got out of the biz.
The late 80's came about, and I heard about buyer agency...I went to work for a no-name company since no mainstream companies would HEAR of buyer agency, much less allow me to do it. This was Northern Va, by the way.
Many Realtors were uncomfortable with the concept, but it was only fair, to me, that both parties had representation.
It was a delicate situation, but through being fair and upfront, buyer agency came to be.
Now, many have jumped on the bandwagon, but it bugs me that some of the agents out there are not truly representing their clients. Moreso, they are representing their OWN best interests.
I think that Florida may be dragging their feet on this judging from trying to personally purchase a rental property down there last year. I was told "they don't do buyer agency" down there.
If they are a new agent, might as well do things as they are customarily done down there until they learn the ropes.

[susanna]

41. LOL you aren't kidding!

I have a Buyer's Agent. He's awesome. 99.9% of realtors, when we mention our Buyer's Agent, get distinctly cool if not downright frigid. I am certain he has cost us sales over the years. That said, he does his homework, points out flaws in deals very well and has kept us from screwing up quite a few times.

We've bought three properties with him (we chose not to buy a McMansion that all our friends counseled us to; we spread our capital out) and we are doing okay for the moment.

Important note: every property we buy we bring up to code, plus add interesting extras where we can. My mantra has always been "if I wouldn't live in it, I don't expect anyone else to."

For the record, I still work my day job - real estate isn't necessariy as lucrative as folks think. It's a LOT of side-work.

[LibDemAlways]

27. There must be other real estate offices in your area.

Make appointments to speak with the boss in several and go with the person you feel most comfortable with. After all, real estate is sold on commission and your boss will be benefitting from whatever you sell. It may as well be someone you like and can get along with.

[Fescue4u]

28. Sorry to hear that. A couple things

1) He decided to fire you before Tuesday. The tuesday meeting was perfunctory to lay the groundwork (for HR, legal etc)

2) Sounds like it was more personality clash (proably his issue). He decided to fire you and "made" to facts fit the case.

Best to put it behind you and get on with life. Try to not let this setup back stew in you and make you miserable

[FloridaPat]

35. Might have been a money thing too. Right now it's very slow here.

Only one person is making any sales. 4 of us have less than 2 months experience. Another person doesn't work very hard. If we're paid by commission, he probably is too. He also said everyone else calls him several times a day for help. I don't. He is more a hinderance than a help.

[Digit]

30. You were actually doing quite well....

The only thing you did "wrong", if you can call it that, is that you confronted your broker. He was an idiot for letting you go as you were a productive agent.
Check out other brokers in the area...and YOU interview THEM. Know that splits are negotiable and they will try to start you as low as they can (most times). Be sure to ask what their E&O runs (if you have to pay it...as it will be based on how many claims they have had.
Do the floor calls go to the listing agent, or whomever is on duty?
How much advertising do they give you?
Is your broker out there competing with you, selling, or are they strictly management? Do you feel you need a broker out there helping you with contract issues, or are you able to go it alone?

It was not a good "fit" obviously. Sounds like they had an ego problem and you can find a better fit elsewhere.

Watch out signing your people up for "follow-up" with the company...that is how they get your "repeat" business.

Good luck!
Yep, Realtor since '79

[FloridaPat]

33. Thanks for all the advice. What I was selling was mobile homes

and I don't need a real estate license for that. Only been doing this for 6 weeks. It was fun while it lasted. Right now it's dead slow. The big rush will start at the end of this month or next month when the snow birds come down. One of the other brokers has a horrible reputation in the area.

[Digit]

36. Why not get your license? It is EASY!

Plus, the commission will be SO much more.

[FloridaPat]

37. Been putting if off. It's high on the list. It would make everything so

much easier. I've been without an income since January and since this looked like it was going good, I figured I'd have the money soon and maybe even get them to send me to school.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

40. Sorry, thought

you were a licensed RE salesperson. Check with FREC about the requirements for getting a license and see if you can get the required courses at a local CC, then take the exam. I think you still need two years sales experience in FL before sitting for the broker's exam (same here). I've completed the three courses that TREC requires for sales, but I'm more interested in the law of real estate than being a "house peddler" as hubby puts it.

All the best to you, :hi:

[FloridaPat]

42. It;s one of those funny black holes here. I can sell the homes and

I can sell the land, but the minute I put a home on the land I need a license. I'm in Polk county, which is 50% mobile homes, most in parks. And I think you're right about the sales experience. Another place I could go by just passing the test is timeshare sales.

[susanna]

38. Take a look at this...

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/96/open_boss.html

It might give you some insight to what you may be dealing with.

[FloridaPat]

39. Wow. My whole career flashed before my eyes!