Oh dear God yes. Regularly.

As you become adept in your practice, it's just like show business. When you're considered extremely good at what you do, you receive a lot of scripts and you pick the ones that are going to help joyfully further your career--and not the ones that will miserably hold you back.

NEIGHBORS are an almost automatic pass for me. I have a home office, my company is a boutique company and I do not want people feeling entitled to pound on my door whenever they want my attention.

If I like the prospective, but I just don't think they're a fit for me, I will refer them.

If I do not like them, there's too much bad karma in referring somebody that you think will suck even to someone you don't like. Let them find their own way.

I did get several calls once from someone who found me online. He was so abrasive and just downright nasty, I ignored his calls until he went away. I disliked him so much, I wouldn't even refer him out to my least favorite agent!

I get calls all of the time from customers who want to purchase outside of my comfort zone but, in my area and I refer them out to agents who specialize in those areas.

There's only one rule:  be true to yourself.   Referral is a great way to benefit from the lead without sacrificing your sanity. 

Sure... I just tell them that at this time I don't have enough room in my schedule to do them justice... and depending on the person I might offer to refer them to someone. Then there are those people you really don't want to refer to anyone.

I always referred potential customers that I didn't like to my competition

I have 'the list.'

Now 'the list' is radically different than my "A list."

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES is my broker allowed to dictate the business I choose to pursue.

You own a business. Thus you choose wisely who you work with. How you choose to work or not with a client is entirely up to you. It should be part of  your practice risk management, and profitability decisions. How you go about it and what you say is relatively easy to do. The best approach is to be honest and tell the truth exactly as it is. For example, "I'm sorry but I can't help you at this time". I don't even bother with a referral. There's a reason you may not want to work with a client, why try to pass it on as a referral (read recommendation) to someone else.

I've turned down potential clients for many reason. During our oil boom I was often asked to help find a "owner financed home"  and I always turned those down Keven Hoopiiaina . I've never just flat out turned anyone down without a good chat to see if there were some way we were compatable or not.

I could not make that judgement from just someone approaching me as I would now know them.   I would work with them for a bit, then if I didn't think it was working out, I would let them go, and perhaps refer them to another agent.

I started to think through the best way to respond - but Candice A. Donofrio has expressed it perfectly - spot on -  !!!  

 Yes.  More than once.

 I referred out or declined (unqualified Buyer, upside down Seller, etc.)

 No rules.  But there are Statutes, Laws, and Real Estate Commission rules. Comply!

 Yes, of course you have the right to decline.  Just beware of Federal Fair Housing Laws, etc.  Decline them for a legal reason. 

 I am a Broker, my "rule of thumb" is a written Office Policy.

 * My opinion:  You should have a written Office Policy in a binder on your desk or within reach.  It should state who you will and will not work with.  For example, "Buyers must be RWA, have a pre-approval letter and/or proof of funds".  Have a real estate attorney review your Office Policy manual before finalizing it.  Make your agents sign onto it and agree to abide by it.

I just keep skirting around the issue when it would come time to say 'give me a call'. Never say I would be glad to help either. 

No, and yes we have the right to decline, A

It is going to depend on your state law and rules.  It Texas I would give that individual our mandated Informaiton About Brokerage Service document, which explains the different type of representation.  Then I would have them sign a disclosure that they chose not to be represented, and would state just who I would be representing.

"I have a great agent that will be a perfect fit for you. My services will not serve your needs as good as his." Refer them away.

More than once this has happened. MY no thank you was one way and another was work with what you have....The point? Move-on!

I've had some that just wern't a good fit for me and I was happy to refer them our to someone else (in some cases I dont even ask for a referral)

One specific example, I would not wish them on anyone so i let them know they needed to find someone else.  Never regretterd that decision. 

If they are good prospects, I refer them to associates in the office.

It happens and you make your own rules.

Yes.  There's no rule.  Some, I have referred while others I have tried to politely let them know that I would not be a good fit for their needs.

Yes. Referred.

I seems can find a communication with pretty much of everyone. Just be patient and kind. 

p.s. well, i had a good training aka my marriage and divorce circle; after that ''relationship bootcamp'' and raising two kids on my own I'm very very patient with people.

I have not had that misfortune. I have heard it said that you should refer potential clients that you don't like to agents that you don't like. I can't imagine being that vengeful. A polite, "I don't think we are a good fit...I hope that you find what you are looking for" is a better way to go.

I agree with Candice A. Donofrio with the exception that I would work with my neighbors (at one point our office had our entire section of the street listed).

Politely decline and tell them you can put them in touch with one of your colleagues

I have fired clients in the pass.

For sure!   You will know right from the start of a conversation!  

I refer them to another agent

No,never.

Yes, it has happened and will refer out to someone who is a better fit. 

No, never happened to me.

Happy Holidays!

With the right counseling a problem client can often become a good one, but many times they are referred anyway.

Yes, I have.  Many times.  Yes. We do get to decide who we work with and who we feel is not a good fit.  

My business, my choice. And I have been known to ask “what part of NO don’t you understand?”