Posted by Tess on 9/24/08 10:13am
Msg #265140

Competitors Fishing Expedition!

I got to thinking after have breakfast with 2 of my competitors/friends (not that they would do this) that if they were of the type, they could be on a fishing expedition for information on who my clients are! In this business and in the situation we all find ourselves in, it would be tempting for some to resort to this kind of unsocial/sneaky behavior. Other then talking about the clients you don’t care if you lose or not, and not the ones you don’t want to lose, how do you handle the friendship verses competitor relationship?

Reply by goodgirl on 9/24/08 10:15am
Msg #265141

In my area, everyone is so nasty and competitive and snotty, there is no communication, so it's not something I ever have to worry about.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/24/08 10:41am
Msg #265147

I have met my competition, they all have full time jobs. I get a lot of day work because they are committed to 8-5 routine, except for lunch. Also, I've observed that they will work for $30, so they are not really my competition. It's a savage biz. I play my cards very close to my chest about my clientele, it is privileged and private information.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 9/24/08 10:19am
Msg #265142

I am fiendly with several local NSAs.
We talk about business, just don't mention the names of our clients, unless it is someone I have referred to that person.
None of them ask me for my contacts, and I don't ask them. We are professionals who know this is a cutthroat business, and It is an unspoken "rule" with us.
We wouldn't dream of asking one another for client information.
(Well, maybe we might dream, lol)

I also belong to a network, and we share contacts.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 9/24/08 10:20am
Msg #265144

LOL Freudian slip? S/B Friendly, not "fiendly" n/m

Reply by sue_pa on 9/24/08 4:56pm
Msg #265210

hey Misty, I'm one of her "fiends" n/m

Reply by Tess on 9/24/08 10:36am
Msg #265145

That is a very good rule, Misty! One that should be followed in any business, but especially in ours, since there is not enough business to sustain us all now.

Reply by DebbieT on 9/24/08 10:19am
Msg #265143

Re: Easy

When you are talking about business keep it at a business level. A good business owner will not give that kind of information unless it is within a network of some sort. Anything else just be yourself as long as it is not about business.

Reply by notaryinmo on 9/24/08 11:50am
Msg #265153

Even with other companies, I don't want to give them the companies that I've done signings for. I'm not afraid of saying no. Give my professional contacts up for grabs?? I think not!

Reply by GWest on 9/24/08 12:10pm
Msg #265157

I am friendly with a few NSA's in my area and we work together. If I can not handle a signing I will refer it to one of them and they do the same as well.

Reply by sue_pa on 9/24/08 5:06pm
Msg #265211

I think part of it is that while we are competitors I also consider us to be colleagues. All of us are 'decent'. I know a few in our area that I wouldn't give the time of day to - I know who backdates, I know who doesn't require proper id, I know who I've followed to reclose loans they've had fall through at the table due to their ineptness. I think everyone has 'clients' and then they have 'clients'. I just looked and I've worked for 16 companies in September. Without looking, I'm guessing that 1/2 of them call me and call me first for everything in our area. Most times, there is leeway in scheduling if I am not available. If I say no, they move onto their second choice. I could give you names and contact numbers and you still wouldn't get the work - a lot of the smaller companies that have been in business a long time have their 'list' and that's who they hire - they don't deviate.

The other 1/2 we probably all share (I know some of them we absolutely share) - they are companies that either are fee shopping or else scheduling pursuant to their order and they won't deviate time.

All that said, I think we're in an area where most people are 'decent', we aren't overrun with 'signing agents' as other areas appear to be, and we (at least me) would rather have colleagues/friends/competitors that I like and trust rather than snatch an order here or there.

I've been trying to 'teach' D to be devious but it just isn't working.

Reply by Tess on 9/24/08 5:12pm
Msg #265212

Re: You said it Sue! That's why we are best fiends!! : ) n/m

Reply by Dawn/PA on 9/25/08 11:16am
Msg #265332

Devious "D"......LOL

But you have taught me a lot! And one of these days I will pick up a few other of your habits.

Ladies, as always, breakfast was fun!