Dear NAR,
In regard to your recent letter, I am quite sorry, and duly ashamed, to report that I have been unable to procure the funds necessary to continue my membership. Maybe you would be happier if I brought you a few pints of blood, or a kidney…or perhaps my first-born (sorry, no son…but I have a beautiful daughter whose educational expenses have, unfortunately, drained many of my funds for which you are in such urgent need…). I realize that most real estate agents are making boatloads of money in this current economic climate, and that $687 is an absolutely reasonable sum to demand for your…services, which, as far as I can tell, include little more than a monthly magazine and a fancy lapel pin. I find it despicable that you’ve tacked on $50/month in late-fees, as if the reason I hadn’t yet paid was that I had too much money in my account…or are you just assuming that I am lazy? Oh, of course…that must be it. You think I’m lazy, and that punishment by taxation is the most likely method by which to make me fall in line.
You know what, you’re right. I don’t deserve to be in this business… I mean, I’ve only dedicated 6 years of my life to it…it’s not like I was taking it seriously. Clearly, I am a dismal failure…the likes of which most certainly need to be drummed out of “the business”… Thank you for helping me to come to grips with this harsh, yet suddenly obvious reality. I think this industry is best left to the armies of octogenarians who continue to make money hand-over-fist simply because everybody knows their names….even if they can rarely remember them, themselves. Further, I am suddenly made aware of the fact that innovative, personable, and honest younger people, like myself, have no business trying to add any kind of respectability, innovation or common sense to an industry that has SUCH a good reputation in the eyes of the American public. No, no…better we leave it to the backstabbing hacks that have run the entire economy into the ground…they clearly are more deserving of bonus checks and vacation homes.
In closing, I would like to humbly thank you for opening my eyes to the glaring atrocity that is my career. You would have thought that last year’s two IRS audits, bankruptcy and foreclosure would have been enough to drive home the final nail…but no, my stubborn perseverance was too much for either the Government or the banks…only you, the esteemed National Association of Realtors had the necessary stamina and fortitude to hang in there long enough for me to finally bleed out…
Respectfully,
Robert F. Le Roy
Rob LeRoy is a Seattle real estate agent and social media marketing coach with eXp Realty.
hallelujah!
Oooh, you’re in it now, Mindy! The NAR goon squad will be knocking any minute…Hang on, there’s somebody at the door…
This is classic, and so true. There are probably 100000 of agents thatvfeel the same way!
- Evan
Dear Rob: Thank you for your clear letter, that I wish I had written, However you did not go far enough: In addition to NAR, Portland “PMAR”, and Oregon “OAR” are also gouging the hard working Brokers. I get way more information for my business, and my clients from my real estate company eXpRealty.com and Google.
I also think you should address the costs and limitation of a local
“Realtor’s Multiple Listing Service” In our open society, RMLS sends “our” listing data to NAR and then they sent it out and charge for it. Which is not given back to the local real estate agent ? Thank you Bob.weaver@exprealty.com
I hear there is a hot market for organs in Russia.
What beer goes with kidneys?
Deborah, thank you VERY much for your comments. I laughed out loud in a bar full of rednecks who were already giving me the stink-eye for having a “fancy internets phone”… Drunken rednecks tend to respond poorly to laughing city-folk on their home turf. Luckily, I was saved by a sympathetic DJ who suddenly threw on some Billy Ray Cyrus which, though offensive to my sensitive palate, was a far cry more enjoyable than the egregious ass-whooping that was no-doubt imminent.
You are welcome to post here anytime.
OMG, I love this. Preach on, Brotha!