After the Appraisal

[Jeff Stickney]

        First of all, thank you for the responses, especially Larry Fine had
many good ideas.  Second, my e-mail account had problems all weekend and I
couldn't get access or I'd have responded sooner.  In the meantime I have
also gotten a call from the Seller for whom I had done the appraisal.  He
asked if I had been contacted by potential buyers.  I said I had, and tried
to explain the dilema of being in the middle.  He responded by saying that
he would expect me to bill him for any time I spent on the phone with any
buyers that he referred to me.  After picking my jaw up off the floor
(wouldn't it be nice if all customers were so gracious and understanding?),
we continued talking about the piano and selling potential and that was that.
        Perhaps this could be an approach that would solve this ethical
dilema.  1) Make it clear to the seller that you are doing an appraisal for
$XX.XX.  2)  If the seller would like to be able to refer buyers to you, the
appraiser, then the seller will be charged for any time spent (either on the
phone or at the piano).  3)  Make it clear to the buyer that you are
"working" for the seller and, if the buyer would like a "second opinion", to
hire another technician.
        Is this a good solution, or does it further muddy the ethical
waters?  This solution would at least keep the appraiser on the seller's
side of the fence.
Jeff Stickney, RPT
University of Montana
jpage@selway.umt.edu