Subject: Consumer Federation of America Speaks Out Against Designated Agency Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 20:03:28 -0600 From: Jay Reifert Organization: Excel-Exclusive Buyer Agency Ladies and Gentlemen, It takes time to build a coalition. This is why you have not heard from me for a number of days now. While this quest to defeat the WRA juggernaut started out as a few lonely voices attempting to shout out the truth over the WRA's blatant attempts at misdirection, the quest to stop them has now been joined by a new voice...perhaps the most recognized voice in consumer advocacy...the Consumer Federation of America. http://www.consumerfed.org Since 1968, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has provided consumers a well-reasoned and articulate voice in decisions that affect their lives. Day in and out, CFA's professional staff gathers facts, analyzes issues, and disseminates information to the public, legislators, and regulators. The size and diversity of its membership -- more than 285 organizations from throughout the nation with a combined membership exceeding 50 million people -- enables CFA to speak for virtually all consumers. The following is what the Consumer Federation of America had to say in a letter directed to all legislators in the State of Wisconsin: --------------------begin cfa letter February 27, 2002 Wisconsin State Legislature Madison, WI Dear Honorable Members: The Consumer Federation of America is writing to oppose proposed legislation, LRB-4720, which concerns the appointment of designated agents by real estate brokers for multiple representation of clients. We object to this legislation because: · It does not require disclosure to consumers of the fact that designated agents function as facilitators, not as true agents. · It permits the managing broker or broker-owner of the firm to appoint him or herself to be one of the two designated agents in a transaction, a glaring conflict of interest. The Consumer Federation believes that designated agency is a misleading term because the agents involved do not necessarily owe sole allegiance to clients. Furthermore, designated agents in other states, who should price their services as facilitators not agents, continue to charge traditional 6-7% commissions. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation would "legalize" this flawed concept in Wisconsin. Sincerely, Stephen Brobeck Executive Director ---------------end cfa letter While this is the first major voice to come out in opposition to the lack of true representation under the real estate laws in the State of Wisconsin and the current attempt by the WRA to confuse Wisconsin real estate laws even farther, it is certainly not going to be the last. The truth and common sense is on our side. You can view a copy of the CFA letter by visiting: http://www.real-reform.org/cfaLetter.pdf You can view a copy of the WRA's confusing legislation by going to: http://www.real-reform.org/lrbDraft2.pdf ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Realtors and others on this list. The time is now to register your opposition to this deceptive, anti-consumer legislation. Anyone who deems to practice using this sham technique will eventually regret it, as one of REAL-Reform's goals will be to expose this shell game for exactly what it is to every consumer in the state of Wisconsin. REAL-Reform is no longer just a few voices shouting the truth. REAL-Reform has just become a movement. We will return the common law of agency to Wisconsin, to the benefit of all consumers and consumer-oriented licensees. Choose your side. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- You can find out how to contact your legislators to register your oppostion to Designated Agency by going to: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/wamltest/ -------------------------------------------------------------------- Also, PLEASE forward this message to everyone you can and please also print it out--and distribute--to those who you know that don't have email capabilities.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- [This message is going out to thousands of Wisconsin Realtors, almost 500 governmental officials--including all State Legislators and their respective staffs, the Governor of Wisconsin and most candidates for Governor of Wisconsin, the Attorney General of Wisconsin, over 425 Consumer Advocacy Groups and/or individual Consumer Advocates, over 285 Registered Wisconsin Lobbyists and over 190 Media Outlets.] -- Sincerely Yours, Jay Reifert, Organizer/Director of Operations REAL-Reform (Real Estate Agency Law-Reform) http://www.real-reform.org Jay Reifert, Broker/Owner*****************Excel-Exclusive Buyer Agency 100% Homebuyer Representation********5136 E. Hilltop Road 100% Of The Time****************************Madison, Wisconsin 53711 South Central Wisconsin's ONLY********(800)928-9379, Toll Free Full-Time Exclusive Buyer Agency Firm.***(608)273-8841, Office Visit http://www.true-agent.com ***********(608)273-8388, Fax Machine or mailto:true-agents@true-agent.com Check out our NEW website, at: http://www.Buy-Madison-Real-Estate.com