Dustin asks if Brian Wilson is really going to argue .. .. that Realtor.com is an agent’s friend with me taking the other side? Yes, is the answer. I met Brian in 
Hawaii just a little over a week ago. We were both there for CRS Sell-a-bration.
I was a speaker (on how to correctly price listings in this market) and when I wasn’t actually teaching made it a point to either be out at the beach or doing something very non-productive. This time it was sitting in a hot tub. Brian greeted me by saying something about my posts on BloodhoundBlog. No one else in the tub knew what BHB was, but I wasn’t surprised, three of the other people were either fron Ireland or England and weren’t Realtors. Chatting briefly with Brian was all it took for me to instantly like him.
When he first sent me a list of ten different topics to debate I had to reject a couple of them just because I don’t know a damn thing about them. I don’t feel that way about Realtor.com. I do know about them and there are several things I really wish were different. Having seen Brian’s response to my first writing on the subject I have to say that I doubt anyone from Realtor.com could have done any better job defending them.
This isn’t to say that I won’t ultimately win the “debate” – as the “pro” position isn’t very defensible. You can see for yourself here.
Jay Thompson says:
“Chatting briefly with Brian was all it took for me to instantly like him”
Brian is indeed a very likable guy. Sharp too.
But it’s going to take more than sharp to debate the pro position of r.com against Russell Shaw.
I’ll be “watching” the debate!
February 9, 2008 — 9:04 am
Eric Blackwell says:
Ding! Ding!
“Let’s get ready to…” ooopps can’t use that line. It’s trademarked more than REALTOR and MLS- grin
Actually, this should be fun. I have never met Brian, but does he truly believe the PRO position? Wow. and wants to debate Russell on it?? Wow wow!
While I do not know him, sounds like he’s a good guy and this should be interesting.
OK Jay…since you shelled out for the ringside seats, I’ll buy the snacks…sounds like a deal? (grin)
Best
Eric
February 9, 2008 — 5:13 pm
Cameron Wilson says:
Whats the odds line on this?
February 10, 2008 — 7:48 pm
Eric Blackwell says:
Hmmm…Geno? You got some info on that?? <>
Cameron…not sure what the odds line is…my money is on Russell…but it kinda depends on the judges…hehe
Eric
February 10, 2008 — 8:04 pm
Cameron Wilson says:
Brian,with all due respect practice your presentation in front of the mirror and get it down pat. Look at the grin on Russells picture,years of confidence and he does’nt need to rehearse. The winner of any debate is in the court of public opinion. Read Russell’s past blogs.They are from the trenches. Pay great attention to the pencil sharpener. Would enjoy meeting you,dinner and drinks are on me,no kidding.
February 10, 2008 — 8:44 pm
Cameron Wilson says:
OOPS,Mispelled sharpener.Corection=sharpeNAR
February 10, 2008 — 8:54 pm
Wayne Long says:
A lot of pressure is on you. If you can’t win this one – everyone is going to consider you a has been. I would hope that he is requiring you to tie one hand behind your back. 🙂
February 11, 2008 — 6:46 am
Glenn says:
It will be interesting to read and the pro’s and con’s of this debate if r.com isi a friend or foe.
February 11, 2008 — 1:12 pm
Greg Tracy says:
Well thought-out debate. And Russell clearly wins, but he does have the advantage of being correct.
R.com is a profit center and I’m okay with companies being profit centers, after all, that’s what they are for. But R.com has the benefit of being the exclusive “official” website of NAR, and thus has always received all the MLS feeds from all the MLS systems (even though they have lost one or two now).
So it’s an unfair advantage they have enjoyed, and they do not do what is best for the NAR members (or consumers), they simply try to make money.
R.com is a foe by way of not being a friend to the Realtors who provide it with it’s advertising capital, paid yearly in the form of dues.
February 12, 2008 — 6:01 pm
Glenn says:
Greg – I like your point about being a profit center, it is true that it is part of business to provide ongoing support for the organization. Without a profit no organization can continue to grow – funds are needed.
But here is are some questions that we as Realtors might consider asking – How much gross revenue is from Realtors and how much is from the advertisers? Are we subsidizing the advertisers? How much of the bottom line goes back to NAR? And possibly what is the net income before taxes as a percentage of gross revenues?
If anyone has answers to these questions, please post here.
February 13, 2008 — 8:47 am