02/13/98

Separating Trash from Treasures

In response to Separating Trash from Treasures

Connecticut realtors tell me that buyer protection regulations have levelled the playing field between buyers and sellers of homes, although several readers say the new regulations make the process even more confusing. Nevertheless, efforts to represent consumers' rights are definitely steps in the right direction! Here's what readers had to say:

• About six months ago I went shopping at a local grocery market. Among various items, I purchased a can of cherries in natural juice. Upon checking the cash register receipt, I noticed it scanned $5.69. I immediately headed for the customer service desk where I found out the correct price was $1.49. The clerk and the store manager (who I asked them to page) were apologetic, credited me for the balance and assured me the error would be immediately corrected.

  Two months later I returned to the same store and purchased another can of cherries. This time it scanned $4.69. I again asked for the manager, who offered me a free can of cherries to appease my anger. I refused and again demanded that the problem be fixed.

  Well, here I am again, two more months later, and the problem still hasn't been fixed. It's a very busy day at the customer service desk, where a line of people are awaiting service. "Please page the manager," I call out. As he approaches I begin to yell outloud, giving a full explanation of the whole problem with people looking on, while the manager shrinks into his shoes and freezes. "I'm beginning to wonder where else in this store you are cheating consumers," I say. "I don't need to shop here." And I leave my full carriage, right there in the aisle.

  When something like this happens, I think it is intentional and is not a computer error. I plan to go back and continue to check on those cherries. When I think of the money they are making on this one item alone, it's appalling! What do you suggest I do? -- Outrageous Cherries

• My husband and I just purchased a home in December after we spent months searching, negotiating, inspecting and worrying. We felt as though everyone was out to get us. My mother compared it to childbirth (horrible while you're going through it, but worth it when it's over). The experience was so difficult, it actually took away from our excitement, even after the process was complete. -- Disillusioned Home Buyers

• You and the general public are ill-informed about the role of the real estate agent. We are really marketing agents, not salespeople, and there is a difference. We do our best to get qualified buyers to look at a place, but what looks nice to one buyer may not look nice to another. There are agency laws in the state which protect the rights of both buyers and sellers. Last June the state adopted a buyer broker law, so that a buyer could have his own agent. We're still working out the details as to how these buyer's agency contracts work. Every seller is also required to complete a disclosure form. This is another protection for buyer and seller, should major problems be discovered in the property after closing.

  No real estate agent makes the final decision. A good agent will help with negotiations, but the buyer makes the final decision. And both buyer and seller are laying out money. It's the transaction which pays the commission. Without a sale, no one gets paid.

  Journalists have a responsibility to consumers, as well. Isn't your article telling people how to think, too? Most professionals take their responsibilities to clients seriously. Very few of us make "fooling the public a game or scam." We don't want it done to us, so most of us don't do it to others. I think it is a disservice to consumers, as well as business and sales people, that you would insinuate, for humorous purposes or otherwise, that the majority of us in these professions wake up each morning and go out there to fool somebody. Are you insinuating that the majority of the general public are fools? -- One of Many Honest Realtors

• My wife and I are buying a home and it is so fraught with frustration and complexity. Now we have buyers reps and sales reps and there are new rules for both. We cannot talk to the seller without going through two layers of real estate agents! It has become so complicated to purchase a home that it takes the joy out of it. It gets pretty scary. We're almost to the point of buying a piece of land and pitching a tent! -- Just Buy a Tent

• I think they should do away with TV coverage of debates and just print the candidates' positions in the newspaper. Then we could read and absorb the information. I do not want Dan Rather telling me what a candidate really meant! I'm also convinced that political campaigns last far too long. When the election is still six months away, I'm already fed up with all the ads, empty promises and scandal mongering going on. -- Shorten Political Campaigns

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