One strike and you're out - policy unfair

Property Wizards has admitted making a genuine mistake submitting the wrong advertisement for publication which saw the REINZ licensed agency banned from future advertising in Property Press.

Tuesday, April 28th 2009, 10:38AM

by Vicki Holder

Breaking rules in the small print stating advertisers can’t advertise their fees in Property Press cost the flat fee real estate agency dearly.

Agency director Steven Sharp explains Property Wizards was putting together a billboard promoting its low, flat fee structure. “Our marketing people were away on holiday. The manager was rushing around trying to find an ad for Property Press as we’d committed to an ad a week. People in the office picked up the wrong advert and didn’t check it.

“My gripe is, why didn’t Property Press come to us with a proof at the time to say, we can’t do this? Instead, Property Press said, no, you’re not coming back, even when we went to them cap in hand and said sorry. The person who made the mistake offered their resignation.”

Sharp asks, “Have we really been treated fairly? We’re a small company, trying to keep its head above water. It’s one strike and you’re out.”

Pat Houlihan of Property Press would not comment on the decision or whether it was an example of bias against cheaper, non-traditional agencies. He pointed out Property Press did not have to explain its business practices; the only criterion for advertising in the publication was agents must be licensed.

Gary Le Petit, director of Green Door, another low fixed fee real estate marketing agency says there’s a definite bias against non-traditional agencies.

As Green Door is not a member of REINZ, his agency can’t advertise in Property Press publications and in Nelson, where he operates, Green Door is only allowed in the Property Weekly because it is a Fairfax publication.

“But we’re not allowed to advertise our properties on the front page. I’m battling that now. It’s a self-perpetuating club that will attack companies that are deemed to be a threat. I don’t think the needs of the consumer are being best served by the current REINZ model.”