Is it ok to ask about someones reputation?

Question

Are there any written or unwritten rules about asking fellow BP members about someones reputation? I don't want to cross any lines by using names, but I do have an issue with how I have found some people doing business and would like to know if anyone else has had a similar experience?

Rich Weese · Answer

Be careful. References sometimes don't mean much. I had someone ask to be my colleague a few days ago and also posted that he was following my posts. Yester day, he asked to list me as a reference. In reading the explanation under the post for that, BP said I should have a relationship with that person. I turned down the request on that basis.  I would hope all BP members would not accept the reference request lightly. It is obvious that some members pay attention to that. Rich
p.s. This turned out to be a RE company or agent

Joshua Dorkin · Answer

There are no rules about asking about working with someone.  I would recommend directly talking with the person who you're interested in and asking them to provide some references.  In fact, since BP allows a user to post references on your profile, this is a great tool at your disposal.  You could ask the user to get those people recommending them to post those references on their profile so you and others can benefit from it.

The nice thing about it is that you have the ability to see who it is that is offering that reference.

Beyond that, you're welcome to post your question in the forums, but it may not be effective for someone that may not be a well known name.

LinkedIn is another great tool for checking someone out and seeing who you may know in common that you can ask.

Bill Gulley · Answer

Hi, Josh has the answer! Just post anything you want to for the community to answer. I have found that asking someone about another can be a touchy thing. First I have to know that the person being asked has no bias or other relationship with the party in question. Asking an opinion is just that, an opinion, how you view that opinion and how much you trust that opinion is another thing. I refrain from giving personal opinions about anyone on anything, unless they are family, I just don't do it. However, if it's a factual matter of how someone has conducted business or how they have dealt in something in the past, that is documented, then the facts of the matter can be made known. If there is no documentation or cloudy interpration, just point them in that direction. Just, IMO. Ask away! Bill

Matthew Paetz · Answer

I appreciate the response gentleman. 
          
           I am most interested in knowing if there are any other BP members in my area who have had any dealings with this certain individual. 
          
           I am most interested in knowing how he conducted himself and if the deal was on the up and up. I am very aware of this individuals "habits" and would like to know if there are more who have first hand knowledge of this.
          
           I would like to go on the record and say that this is in no way a personal opinion or me trying to slander someone in any way. I am most interested in protecting someone or anyone else who might run across this individual or someone like this.
          
          Also, what are the best ways for the average person to check up on someone? More places than linkedin?

Brian Levredge · Answer

There are a couple of forums here to discuss RE companies as well as gurus and their courses.  There is nothing wrong with asking about either of those nor with stating what happened to you as long as it's true, imo.

Is it ok to ask about someones reputation?

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