Dear Blanche, I just read your interview with Greg Burge of Supra re "Security Upgrades" Two things are now obvious to me: 1. He is arrogant and mis-guided - The CUSTOMER is NOT the home seller. An individual Broker is responsible for selecting and bearing liability for access to a sellers' home. 2. He is attempting to make his management failures of the past our problem - Clearly evident by the fact that he does not recognize a customer when he sees one. The relationship with the home seller is ours, not his. Product improvements that are not a direct result of Realtor input is a galactic mistake. I am tempted to use my previous experience in industrial electronics to teach him a lesson. There are several algorithm-based access technologies that could easily be adapted to our industry, and they could be PURCHASED and deployed QUICKLY! You asked Mr. Burge if he was a monopoly - his answer was ridiculous! Property owners can sell properties themselves, or CHOOSE from tens of thousands of trained professionals. His likening himself to us was an insult. As further evidence that he is not in touch with his market - 5 years, and $100,000,000.00 in transactions later, we have had to go into the field and read a key box one (1) time. If he was going to do anything to make life easier for us - it would be the ability to update keycards with ANY phone. Currently, a Realtor's land line is the only means of update: cell phones, and even payphones will not work. Wait till he sees the dissention a daily or weekly update causes.... As far as his PDA idea is concerned, while I welcome technology that gives us mobile access to OUR MLS information, I am not in favor of outside entities like his having access to the system. In the DFW metroplex, as with other large metropolitan areas, it used to be that we had only one option for an appointment service. The company acted as he does, believing that they were safe from competition because we would not entertain the confusion of multiple services.....they were wrong, and so is he! If he had any sense at all, he would treat US like the customers WE ARE. A direct approach would likely create support from US. We are suppose to be the ones telling our boards how they can best support us - not the other way around. Realistically, consumers will pay more for something they want, and less for something forced upon them. I appreciate your keeping our industry current as you do. Best regards, Jim Leveritt Chief Executive Officer Tony Curtis Realtors 6737 Bridge Street Fort Worth, Texas 76112 817-451-9700 Voice 817-451-9997 Telefax www.tonycurtisassociates.com

Back to Previous Post Printer Friendly Version | E-mail This Article to a Friend