REI Investing & RE License... specific situation

Hey all,

I know this is a very well-covered topic but most of what I can find is theoretical. Yesterday I e-mailed some listing companies about homes I saw on Craigslist, asking to see them, and letting them know I would be working with an agent (both my mom & I have our licenses). I haven't signed onto a firm yet but she has done it independently on a part-time basis for a number of years.

I got some backlash from the company, asking if I'd signed a buyer agreement and that I needed my agent to contact them. In this case, are they just trying make sure they completely cover their butt or did I do something wrong? My last deal I looked at (that I ended up purchasing), I did the same thing... e-mailed the listing agent and asked to see the property, telling him that I was already working with a buyer's agent. We made an appointment, he showed me the house (with my mom there), I liked it enough to go back a second time and then put it under contract. Seemed seamless to me.

So I guess I am just having trouble sifting through the gray area between. Any input would be appreciated!