Jeff I've had both scenarios:

1. Didn't work out and the client lost faith and did their own thing.

2. Didn't work out and the client realized it wasn't a fit and asked me for another and that agent worked out.

Most of the time they just found someone else on their own. Just happened with a FL referral recently. 

Only once did the referral agent drop the ball! Luckily, I found a replacement. 

 So far, so good.

Up to this point, I have been successful with referrals.

I've been fortunate that my referrals have worked out.

No, I did not. 

Mostly, I get referrals from agents from other states,  before our first meeting with the buyers or sellers a referral agreement to be signed by both brokerages.

Working right now with the buyers from NY referred to me by NY agent.

Yes, I did refer our buyer to  some NY agent. 

Boy, that agent was not easy and a negotiating for our referral fee was not pleasant at all. Price range was more or less $1,000,000. 

At the end the buyer did not buy anything, moved to Florida. 

Did not buy anything in Florida. Went back to NY. 

This is my story. 

I referral 2 agents one time and the second one worked out

They are usually lost if the referral agent does not work out.

Yes.  This was with my clients that were relocating to Chula Vista.  I could not find an agent in AR.  I called you and asked if you knew of anyone. I called others in the AR community ... no luck. That sent me to the World Wide Web.  I found several agents. Made many calls and interviewed agents.  The agent I choose seems like she would be great.  Holy Crow.  
My client called me and said:  You really spoiled us, Kathleen. This agent does not do this. does not do that. She expects me to leave work (my client is an attorney) and we just don't have the confidence in her.  They were so turned off by the process and really wanted to get settled so they ended up renting. 

I've had great luck with referrals.  I did have one fairly recently, though, where the personalities didn't quite click.  It surprised me because I know all parties.  I guess one of the agents was more dominating than they liked.  All is well that ended well, though.

I have had the potential buyer or seller not work out but have been lucky with the agents...especially here on AR.

I have been very fortunate not to have had this happen...yet! 

I'm so sorry you are, Jeff but, hopefully you can get someone referred that they do find a good fit.

So far, no problems.

Happened once where I called the out of state agent and asked them to call the client asap.  Instead, the agent waited a few days. Well, the clients found someone on their own and bought a house that first day out! 

I interview the agent before I give the clients contact info.... if the agent doesn't sound as I want him/her to, it's NEXT....

Yes, I had two experiences where I pulled the agent I referred my clients to after they had less than a stellar experience. Referred them to new agents and all worked out well.

Stuff happens.  Life goes on.  We react/act according to the circumstances at that time. 

More often a problem with the client than the agent, some work out, others do not, we keep dozens of these out there, hopefully most produce results.

Jeff Dowler, CRS - yes, that happens for several reasons. Good thing is, referrals remain with you.

Yes, my company at that time, referred the agent in a Referral Program Jeff Dowler, CRS.  It was a close personal friend who was selling a small, second home, 3,000 miles away.  The referral agent did not return calls and communication was lacking, and even though my company (not the current company I am with) vetted him, and I vetted him, it was not a good match.  End of Story - my friend decided to keep that small home as a rental, and did not put it on the Market.

Absolutely and I've been on both ends (referring and having been referred). I don't remember any second chances in either position. A referral that doesn't work usually is the end of the end Jeff Dowler, CRS .

Yes and yes

Yes it has happened and I was able to salvage the lead and refer another successfully.

So far I have not had any issues. 

We have done this when personalities just don't match.

No.

Most will find one on their own. Seen it happen when I did a California referral.

I have, and the listing agent never returned calls to my potential Sellers.  They ended up contracting with another agent before I could help them.

I have. I was able to get them over to another agent and get the buyer taken care of.

Only id I had been staying in touch 

No.  The few times I've referred someone to another agent, it was worked beyond my expectations.

I have.  Sometimes they were still available for another referral but most times they went and found someone else on their own.