A Reward For Your Good Word

 by Tim O’Dwyer M.A., LL.B
Solicitor
Consumer Advocate
watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au

The letter below recently came to me in the mail from a nearby estate agency. This agency happens to be part of a national real estate franchise which proudly boasts “offices throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific”. Needless to say, I am certainly not a client (“valued” or otherwise), nor any sort of friend of this agency.

Just like many unsolicited offers, which constantly bombard us all, this letter had something cute attached to catch my attention. In this instance it was an attractive plastic gift card from the agency to a value of $500.00. The reverse of the card clearly stated, however, that this card had no value until “loaded”. All I need to add to what you will read below is that I find an exercise like this pretty goddamn tacky and plain sleazy.

“Dear Friend

It is with great pleasure I offer you, my valued client, a reward for your good word.

If you refer a friend, neighbour, family member, colleague or anyone for that matter to me, they list their property, it sells and settles – I will activate a debit card up to the value of $500.

You can use this card at your leisure wherever you want or you can even give it to someone else! This is my way of saying thank you.

Thank you for your business, thank you for your good word and thank you for thinking of me when it comes to achieving results with buying or selling real estate – my business!

For more information please see our website, or call me anytime.

If you pass your card on to someone and would like another – give me a call and I will have another delivered – share the joy!

Much appreciated

Scott Wagner

Principal”

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