Is there anything more cliche than members complaining about an MLS switching vendors? It seems like a right of passage an MLS executive must go through to earn their stripes. The game is always the same. For months you send out emails notifying them the existing system is going to change, you hold training classes, you visit offices, and you ask for feedback. After all this preparation you finally make the switch. Then what happens? Pandemonium!

“I never was told!”
“Nobody consulted us!”
“The new system sucks!”
“Why did we have to change!”

If you want to see the actual “shit REALTORS say” just head over to the Facebook Page that was created by a disgruntled REALTOR at ARMLS, “Bring iMapp back to ARMLS“. (How much you wanna bet there was a similar outcry back in the day when they switched from another vendor to iMapp?)

ARMLS is one of the best in the business when it comes to communicating with their members but Corelogic didn’t do them any favors this time when their Realist product suffered an outage (for most of yesterday). Within a few hours people were on Twitter and Facebook and the blogosphere complaining about the switch.

Scary stuff. The level of rancor is even surprising to me.

Makes you think, what if this was an MLS conversion gone wrong? Wait a sec, I seem to remember something about that.

But the real question is If Twitter and Facebook can bring down the leadership on Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Komen then an MLS provider should be easy!

I expect this situation at ARMLS will blow over rather quickly. But I’m sure it’s caught the attention of many MLS execs out there: Beware the Mob.

CMLS is just around the corner and it promises to be the most attended in it’s 53 year history. Rob Hahn recently posted “Seven Big Questions ‘The MLS Edition’”, I’m going to riff off that and give my 7 wishes from Real Estate Vendors. Some of these I’ve experienced first hand, some I’ve heard from others. I don’t want the list to sound whiny, and like everything on this site, please take it with a little tongue in cheek (just a little).

1. I want standards. I want to be able to write a killer real estate app and release it everywhere at once. Yes, I know there are “chicken and egg” type issues, and it’s difficult. But, it’s 2010 people, let’s make this happen!

2. I want MLS providers to make decisions quicker. The Internet moves faster than one board meeting a month. How many times have you heard, “Our board meets next week but the agenda is already full, and next months is also full, but I might be able to squeeze you in the following month…maybe”? Lame.

3. Let me compete. For a number of reasons, many MLS providers put up huge walls or policies designed to keep new products from entering in the market. Give your members a choice.

4. Stop the shake down. One MLS provider requires me to pay $1,500 a month to release a CMA app in their market, at another MLS it’s $1,000 a month, at another it’s $600.00 per quarter and at another its $0.00. WTF? As a technology solution provider, I’m pretty well aware of the “costs” of providing data. Instead of making me pay you protection money….

5. ..Let’s be partners. I would much rather do a revenue share where you and I both gain based on performance rather than paying you a “tribute” each month.

6. Let me make a living. You complain about customer service but forget you drilled your vendor so far down on price that you made it impossible for them to perform.

7. I want to advertise (in your magazine, newsletter, or website), sponsor (your event, blog) , and attend trade shows. But, make it worth my while. Don’t just put me in a booth in the middle of nowhere, put my logo on a sign, and expect me to be happy. Be creative! And, don’t charge me an arm and a leg. The longer I’m around, the more money I will have to spend. We need each other, price accordingly.

Did I miss your wish? Let me hear them or your comments.

Another sign that times are tough for real estate agents!

Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman blogged about a Boston Redfin employee that was recently arrested on charges of being a Russian spy.  I really not making this shit up, you can read Glenn’s post here.

Accused Traitor, "Ann" Foley

Her name is Tracey Foley, but preferred to be called “Ann” (that should have been the first clue) She apparently passed a criminal background check from Redfin and even represented a customer on a listing. As of now her agent website is still up. The url is www.BostonRedCarpet.com.  ”RED” carpet?  That’s too perfect, a Russian spy with using the term RED.  I bet her favorite drink is Vodka.

You gotta wonder if Redfin paid their agents full commissions would she even need to supplement her income by selling secrets to the Soviets?

I kid….I kid.   ;  )

This is too funny!

Can you tell the difference?

“Art, you ignorant slut”
- Russ Bergeron, CEO SoCalMLS

–>In response to a presentation from Art Carter, CEO of MRMLS, on VOWs.

“I would recommend that all MLS Providers negotiate a 30 day out clause with their tax data providers”
Dale Ross, Broker and 18 years member of the National Association of REALTORS Board of Directors.

–>In response to a question from Bob Bemis, CEO of ARMLS, about the launch of RPR. After Dale Ross gave an update on NAR’s RPR project.

Last year I had a lot of fun with these.

I’ve got a few already written and ready to go. If you have any suggestions for posts email me at vendor dot alley at gmail.com

I’ve heard from multiple sources that Rapattoni has issued Concentric Software a cease and desist letter. Concentric Software website was down for a short time this morning, further fueling rumors.

Concentric’s founder is a former Rapattoni employee as are some of their key managers.

Can anyone else confirm or deny this???

If this is true is would be a huge stumbling block for CAR and CalREDD and its bid to be the state-wide MLS of California. It doesn’t say too much for their much touted vetting process either.

UPDATE:
RUMOR has been denied by Rich Igou, Concentric’s founder.

UPDATE II
Mike Silvas of CalREDD clarifies legal action toward Concentric Software. (SEE COMMENTS)

Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'

I’m not a religious person, but there was a story I heard on an episode of “This American Life” that I always remember now, when I think of this day.

I found a blog that had transcribed it.

Mercifully, a small round of layoffs.
Just a few at eNeighborhoods. Unlike other companies in this space Dominion is usually good with paying a severance.

Hopefully this is it for the week.