I have no room in my castle for  Drama Queens/Kings!

I walk away from tantrums by toddlers and adults alike. 

I would have ended the communication immediately....

The same thing you did. Insane people make terrible clients.
The number one risk reduction technique is client selection.

I don't do drama... the best thing about being an independent contractor is I can pick and choose with whom I work, which was not always something I could do in the corporate world. There's enough stress in this business, as is.

I will not be yelled at and I am learning to suspect clients who blame the past realtor

You know I swear that once a seller had some type of psychiatric dysfunction where they were constantly yelling for no reason & then perfectly calm. I couldn't handle it & dismissed myself.

Hi Caroline - There are always signs, and we ignore them at our own risk. Anything that skirts the bounds of legality or ethical behavior, or situations where our expertise isn't going to be useful and our advice ignored, or as you mention, lots of drama - those are our red flags.

If i had a client , that i sensed we were not a good match for whatever reason ( shirnks estimate 35% of americans have a measureable mental defect) then i would say, "im sorry but i am swamped right now, and my mother is not well, my husband is drinking too much, my dog is in heat, or im about to retire and leaving the biz...you pick.. but thats me i dont want drama, even for a min

Caroline,

We pass the minute the air gets noxious.  A

I follow my gut, it usually vets out toxic people and spares me the drama.

Never get into it with the client. Just let them know that you feel they would be better served working with another agent. FYI...I always hold on to the docs for a reasonable period of time because you may need them if a crazy decides on lawsuit.

I would also have removed myself from the transaction.  Our team turned down a listing this week because we could see the approaching drama that would have come with representing a particular client.  It's just not worth it.

I only work with adults and I don't do drama of any kind.

The others have adviced you.

I always wait too long to release or extricate. I think, "I can make this work". Hardly ever can and end up releasing anyway. Great topic and comments. Thanks

I would have probably fired them earlier than you did.

Good morning Caroline. If this is the honeymoon part, it is only going to get worse. The right time not to move forward.

I had clietnts who had tantrums for a smallest reasons and realtors like that. I do not engage in arguments since it is nothing to do with me or my service, sometime people just loose it.... I wait a bit and try again. If the are back to normal, we are moving on.  If it it is ethical issue, we move on in different direction. I do not need any drama or additional stress. 

Caroline Gerardo well, you did the right thing!

There are more important things to do in life - and business.....

I try to be compassionate when people have issues that aren't about me, but when their condition leaks into my space and occupys more of my resources than I can afford, it's reasonable to say I can't help you anymore.  I probably take on more than I should sometimes, but I have learned to set boundaries.  

I once walked away from a listing, released them from their listing contract because the wife was unreasonable and accused me of letting people in their house while they were out of town.

Almost any level. It is a sign of trouble.

An irrational seller, one that is unreasonable and abusive woudl cause me to hit the door fast.

Oh, screaming and cursing will send me to the door.

I have not yet been in that type of situation, and that client was way, way out of line - wow!!  So far, we have not walked away and also not experienced that level of drama.  I think you said exactly what I would say, as you were professional, and said, "I'm not able to help you, and I'm not your girl."  Usually I don't see difficult people (in my opinion) until we have already established our relationship, and at that point, I still hang in there.  I don't see how you could have possibly hung in there . . .  life is too short Caroline Gerardo.  I see no way you could have improved or changed that particular scenario . . . 

I had a guy start crosing out parts oh my contract

I keep moving forward

If I can tell they are going to be too difficult to handle I will walk away, and it takes a lot for me to do that.  I received the Duct Tape Award last year from my fellow Realtors in our local Association as I can generally fix just about anything.  But I have my limits.  I do spend a lot of time with my Clients expaining what their responsibilities to me as they Agent are ( such as time if of the essence, etc. ) and also mine to them.  That seems to help ward some issues off.

Caroline - Being able to identify red flags early will save a lot of time and other misspent resources.  Given the information you have presented, you did the right thing.   

Like Susan, any sense of drama or a threat of a lawsuit, I walk away!

"If you are hearing this message, I am out on my boat". 

That is a fun thing to put on your v-mail when you have batch of files almost ready to close .... and 18375635 nut case Realtors/Clients (*cough, not like the wonderful ones around here) calling all day.

Make it a Great Day.

I do not handle drama well.  I will either refer it out, or just let the client know I have too much business in order to give them the service they deserve, or are looking for.  

I had some drama previously, but nothing like that.  I stuck it out because the drama came up during escrow and it was a short enough escrow and a good commission.

If it was in your scenario, I'd be out the door too!  It's easier when there is an end in sight, but if there isn't one I'd jump off the "Crazy Train" asap (while listening to Ozzy's song "Crazy Train").

Good for you

I would walk away from a listing if a seller questioned my motive and integrity.

Wait, he emailed you a picture of the building where he worked?  Um, yea.  I don't know if I can even put into words how smart you were to let this one go!

I don't make enough money in this business to allow that to go on around me.

I think you did the right thing walking away.  We'll work our butts off, but we aren't going to take any amount of abuse.  

Same as you, wish them good luck and move on!

Drama, like a tornado, will suck everything around it into the eye of the storm, so I try to avoid storms...and even worse, try to get YOU to take ownership of THEIR issue... Not my circus, not my monkeys...

1. Get commitment that they will do something in a specific time frame.

2. When they don't...NEXT!

Not sure what the "topic about discrimination somewhat related" was. But if a client is suggesting anything which violates fair housing law, there's a simple way to put an end to the ranting and cussing.

My recommendation would be to ask the client if he would like you to arrange a chat with the Administrative Director of the HUD office in your region.

One must be able to identify the drama queen, the 'all about me' person and those whose life burdens have frayed to their last nerve.

It is cowardly (and convenient) to only help those who need little help. Those in bereavement, who have been betrayed, whose society has abandoned them, who may have medical issues, these need help, more so than the rest. 

A professional of any kind, they should be able to determine the difference. Then all can see the fabric from which one  is made.

When all that can be seen is a person who is screaming and cursing, and no additional information, a person whose business is helping will allow a time buffer, reconnect and have a 'real personal' conversation. The conclusion of which could be "I can not help you."  Or, 'This is a incredibly difficult time for you. If we work together, we can get to where you need to be."

"I don't want to be involved in hysterical drama lawsuit." That's another, seemingly practical, justification.

Caroline Gerardo You did the right thing. Life is too short.

There is no room on my schedule for unnecessary drama.

Tiny or big does not matter. The smallest ones can be the largest time sucks. You hear the situation, what is expected and if the highs and lows are too extreme, you simply realize I can not help you. Want to, hope the best. But i can not help you without going into a long litany of why. Move on, work on healthy not sick deals. Next! One of our four of us has mental illness too. That may be what you are dealing with and don't take it serious or rise to the same level of drama. You don't have time.

Caroline, thank Goodness I have never experienced that level of drama.  98% of my clients have truly been a blessing in my life.

That being said, it would take very little for me to walk out the door - I do not need grief, stress and negative emotions to be brought into my life. 

Generally over the overwheling price. 

Unrealistic expatiation's on price.