I hope that our chat in-person at SMMOC has been fruitful, and that you at least understand where I'm coming from. I expect that you would withdraw your insinuations about “making your living off” and so on, calling my motivations into question. I'm no stranger to controversy and debate, but I do take exception to such ad hominem attacks.

Having said that, if your issue is about communication, the style with which various people spoke, then I suppose I have nothing to add to what Michael Wurzer already wrote. Different folks have a different sense of humor and what is and is not appropriate, and I wasn't there. You're entitled to whatever sense of outrage you feel, but it's hard to get worked up over that.

As to the substance, that unless “arrogant MLS executive” change their ways, there will be governmental regulation of the MLS… well, as I've said, the MLS doesn't exist in a vacuum outside of the AOR (Associations). The rules and policies are created by members, not by some cabal of executives. To the extent that you, or anyone else, want different rules, the path there is to work with other brokers and agents within the Association to get changes made. It's all very democratic, actually.

-rsh

BTW – Feel free to share your feelings on this next time we meet. I am more interested in it than ever now!

@TheRECoach

I won't give up, I will continue to educate myself and maybe others to the best of my ability.

thanks,

The only question I have is this; If you were to have made it to the room with my “MeetUp” what nickname would have you given me. ; )

I never suggested you give up, I suggested you take the time to learn before judging.

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the data begin at an MLS? therefor, when a change is made at that MLS, shouldn't that change be broadcast to each outlet that the data has been given, sold, or sent to? Just thinking out loud.

When I look at it from a Private Citizen's perspective, the data is theirs (especially the Home Seller) and it's intended to be put forth in a responsible way. They allow MLS's, Aggregators, and Brokers to use that data to assist them in selling their house. They expect that it is handled with care. They continue to demand that it be correct. Since it starts with the MLS's, I suspect they see them as the “responsible” party to the data. Which is why the comment by Soprano Guy “The Consumer is not my customer” really turned me off.

Many industries have assumed that they are bigger than the Consumer. That they somehow know better. But when public support swells to overwhelming size, they find out they were wrong. When the People speak, we should listen.

enjoyed the conversation,

@TheRECoach

For me to debate the inner workings of the current system with you would be akin to “bringing a knife to a gun fight”, not so good Which lends to my comment earlier that your insight is valuable, and I would hope that you would use it to help produce the finest customer facing product ever seen. Something that would help the RE Industry quell the current public perception of the it.

Lucky for me my point has always been based on what I saw. So let's focus on that, since it was and continues to be my inspiration for the post. To a completely unbiased observer, the fashion in which the men you defend as “Pillars of the MLS Industry” handled themselves in this 1 meeting (remember that's all I am talking about) was an indication that little will be solved until the sides are represented by people who are more in the “Spirit of cooperation” and not with ones who are pre-disposed to the status quo.

Trust me, it was embarrassing to watch. If I allow you the latitude to begin the phrase with “If what you are saying is true” … can you at least say that these guys were “wrong” (because you still haven't touched that) for what they said?

BTW – I took your advice and asked 7 people in the Industry, I know and respect, how they felt about my observations of these 3 guys. To a man (and 1 woman) they all said I “nailed it” related to their own perceptions. They also said that I had little or no chance to get any of them to change and that this issue is larger than I could ever imagine. They suggested, like you, that I just give it up, walk away, & spend my time on issues I can effect.

That made me sad

Hope one day to meet in person and talk further about this. I think I could learn a thing or two from a guy like you

@TheRECoach

Regarding the jokes and comments that set you off, my main point in my very first comment was that you should not take those comments without considering the entirety of the people you reference. You say: “You [Michael] are not concerned, as I am, with the prevailing thoughts of these individuals.” My main point here is that you have no idea what the prevailing thoughts of these individuals are based on a one hour meeting. And yet, not only do you judge them, you are now presuming to know about my concerns as well. If you want to know more about me, read the FBS Blog. Come to some conference as I suggested earlier. Call a few people you trust and know about some of these people and topics. Bottom line: Learn more about who and what you write. Once you do, you'll know the mistake you made here.