Hilarious way to book an inspection

[Ken Rowe]

Honestly this just happened today. I wish I could draw because this would make a great cartoon. Below is an email exchange between me and a regularly referring agent and another inspection company.

AGENT to ME:

I have a client buyer a short-sale. We were required to agree to do inspection up front. The listing agent has offered that she has an inspector who will “do the next one free” if the short-sale is not approved.

My clients like this, but I don’t want to use some random inspector that the listing agent recommends.

Would you consider extending this same offer to my clients?

Let me know if you have any questions about the specifics.

ME to AGENT:

Unfortunately the American Society of Home Inspectors has deemed that practice as unethical. We can’t determine price or payment on whether the home closes or not, or offer free inspections if the sale doesn’t close.

Between you and I, the other inspector is probably not an ASHI Certified Inspector and isn’t held to the higher ethical standards which ASHI has.

AGENT to ME:


Thanks for this info!




AGENT to OTHER INSPECTION COMPANY

Hi,

I’ve never used you before, but you’ve been recommended in the case of a short-sale. I just want to know about your qualifications before I recommend you to my clients. What are your accreditations?

OTHER INSPECTION COMPANY TO AGENT:

I appreciate the email, but my inspector just quit, so I cannot take any orders for now.




AGENT TO ME, COPYING EMAIL:


Well there you go…



ME TO AGENT:



Taking a look at their website I see no certifications or association memberships at all. These people are the reason why we need inspector licensing in MN.

On another note, I'm not quitting any time soon :)

Give us a call if you need to set something up. We're open except for Tuesday morning.

AGENT TO ME:


I just sent an email to Heather . We’re looking at Tuesday at 3pm. In S. Minneapolis.

[wayne soper]

me to agent, my price just went up:D

[Jimmy Roberts]

So, your bottom line here is.... your ethics change (price increase) with circumstances.

[Dan Harris]

Honestly this just happened today. I wish I could draw because this would make a great cartoon. Below is an email exchange between me and a regularly referring agent and another inspection company.

Did you get what you replied from one of the chapters in Nathans book ?? :D

[Ken Rowe]

Did you get what you replied from one of the chapters in Nathans book ?? :D

I think that's where the other inspection company got their marketing ideas.

[BridgeMan]

Speaking of Nathan (and his cheering section)--been pretty quiet lately. Maybe he/they have been too busy mailing out thousands of copies of his book for "free" reviews? I'll keep watching the mailbox.

I hope he isn't taking anything from here too seriously. After all, he is just a guy trying to make an honest living, right?

[Aaron Miller]

Between you and I

Really?

[Nick Ostrowski]

It is funny..... but just because an inspector is an ASHI inspector doesn't mean he is always taking the ethical high road. The other inspector could very well be an ASHI inspector too who just chooses to make up his own rules and guidelines.

[Aaron Miller]

The other inspector could very well be an ASHI inspector too who just chooses to make up his own rules and guidelines.

That, of course, would make him an ASHI national officer.

[Raymond Wand]

Question
Is giving out free home inspections against ASHI Code of Ethics?
Response
The Code of Ethics does not directly address fees, or their absence, and does not limit discounting, even 100% discounting. However, a free home inspection and report must comply with the ASHI Standards of Practice, without diminished thoroughness or quality, and must not involve arrangements that otherwise violate the ASHI Code of Ethics.



See interpretation e010814 regarding discounts.

[Ken Rowe]

Raymond,

The interpretation you references doesn't really fit. This one is much more pertinent:


ID : #18, e060426

Date : 09/13/2006

R. F. I. Question :

Can I bill the inspection fee to be paid upon closing of the inspected property for sale, if I have a contract stating that I will be paid in any case should the closing be cancelled for any reason?

Interpretation by ASHI Standards Committee :

The Code of Ethics states that "Inspectors shall not inspect properties under contingent arrangements whereby any compensation or future referrals are dependent on reported findings or on the sale of a property." Since your contract states, as we understand it, that you will be paid whether the house closes or not, your inspection is not contingent on the sale and we see no violation of the Code.

Since the second inspection and fee is based on whether or not the home closes after the first inspection this interpretation should apply. Granted this is a gray area and the interpretation does not address this situation specifically, I don't operate in gray areas when it comes to ethics.

Anyhow, people seem to be missing the point:

I appreciate the email, but my inspector just quit, so I cannot take any orders for now. Probably due to the company requiring the inspector to work for free when doing those second inspections.

[Raymond Wand]

Thanks Ken, didn't see that one.

Also could not find - See interpretation e010814 regarding discounts - in my original posting.

Cheers,

[Garry Sorrells]

Another way to look at the free offer.

A poor inspection on the first property (not pointing out items to buyer) and thus having the buyer be more aggressive in purchasing the first property, leading to a sale would mean that the HI would not loose time and money on performing an inspection on a second property.

The inspector would be biased in how he reported on the first property.

[Nick Ostrowski]

Or he would do a real crappy job on the second one because he's not getting paid for it.

[Darrel Hood]

Or, he's an honest and thorough person who does his best at every inspection no matter what the circumstances. If a person is depending on an organization or government entity to define ethics, that person is weak and has no values.

[Garry Sorrells]

Or, he's an honest and thorough person who does his best at every inspection no matter what the circumstances. If a person is depending on an organization or government entity to define ethics, that person is weak and has no values.

So you have a 1 in 3 chance of being better off. or a 2 to 1 chance to loose. All things being equal.

[Bob Harper]

Ask the Realtor if their next sale is free....