I agree, Technically a finder's fee is usually paid by the purcherser, more often for locating a rare instrument. A commission is paid by the seller. If the buyer pays you money to tell him/her what you know about the instrument and you fail to disclose that you have been offered a commission, you are accepting money for incomplete work, which is the seeds of fraud. Or witholding vital information, what ever that is called in legal circles. If you want to dwell on occupational hazzards, what you don't say can be just as illegal as what you do say, as far as mis-reprensentation goes. Even if you do occasional free lance work for the dealer, that should be mentioned before you make the appointment. (IMHO on that one.) Its nice to be able to say, "Oh I have done work for them before, very nice to work for". Sure it gets sticky, suppose the dealer owes you money, or rubs you the wrong way, does the client have to know that because it might affect your judgement. But you can't really disclose that unless you want the dealer to threaten libel in return. Then there was the time when I felt I was due BOTH a finder's fee and a commission, (or at least a big fat tip) and got neither. Oh well happy appraising. Richardly Moody ---------- > > This is an interesting question, and one that's difficult to answer. My > > own policy is to not take money from dealers under any circumstance. I > > don't feel it is wrong to do so, but I've always felt that if my customer > > found out that I was taking money from the dealer, *they* might feel > there > > was a conflict, whether I had given them good advice or not. By not > > taking any finders fees, I just totally avoid the whole situation. FWIW. > > > > Charles Farinella, RPT > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > c_farinella@conknet.com > > ----------------------------------------------------------- " imagine how much question there would be in your customers mind. I think your "standing deal" with the dealer makes you, by extension, a salesman for his wares." (Ed Foote)
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