If you have a signed Agreement - then you have a binding contract. If the buyer does not honor that contract then you have some options. 

Seek advice from your broker, negotiate the referral fee you want,  or walk away. There may be other options as well but this is not the forum to get too deep into it. 

You have a BA agreement with them, correct?

You are owed the commission in NC or SC. 

The first thing you need to do is meet with your broker and gather all your files, documents, notes, text messages, phone calls, emails and dates and times of homes you showed (establish procuring cause). The second thing is to keep in touch with those 'clients' and to establish the continuity of the relationship - especially with an executed BBA. And also advise your clients that a commission will be owned anyways, and that you will collect. Third, you need to contact that agent as well, say the same thing, call/meet that agent's broker and come to an agreement, otherwise you will file for a claim on the commission against the buyer, file a code of ethics violation not only against the agent but also against his/her broker, to go into arbitration, as as well as a Dept of Real Estate complaint against his/her broker directly AND the brokerage for lack of supervision of this agent's activities.

All of this would be a good start by putting everyone on notice. In all your correspondence, copy the head of your local & state associations, as well as your Dept of RE. Make noise, be a pain in the butt. Make the other agent, broker and brokerage regret ever taking on this relative 'client'.

If you can not get the other agent to respond it is time to get your Broker involved. Do NOT go over your Brokers head and contact the other agents Broker!

So long as you have an exclusive buyer agency agreement that is signed... I'd be having a discussion with the other agent.

Have your broker contact his broker, and get the referral agreement signed.

Other agent is interfering with your Employment Contract ! This is a potential Article 16 COE violation ! Contact his Broker 

Talk to my broker.

If you have it signed, they have to honor it or cancel. It is not in their interests to disappear. Do you have an expiration for your contract? I'd highly recommend to call a legal hotline if you have the service in your state. I'm with CAR and I call them every time I have a question since even your broker does not always know the latest changes in law. 

You have a contract with the buyer. Has your buyer reached out to their "family member" to contact you? You could also contact your broker and have them contact the other agency.

A referral fee or full fee! The other broker will assist his agent to accept paying a referral.

I would not release them.  If you are going to, then get the signed referall before signing a release. I would speak to the other agent about the rules they are breaking pressuring someone with a signed contract

He REALLY wants to help them out? How bad do you REALLY want to enforce (or mutual agreement to cancel in exchange for a referral fee) the black and white agreement that means something? That is a question that only you can answer for yourself. 

Silence speaks louder than words so I say you have a few choices here. Contact the other Agent's Broker & inform them that you have a buyer agreement with these folks & that you will enforce your agreeement; meaning if they buy through another Agent you will be looking to get paid your commission or you'll take the necessary steps to get paid it. Let the Buyer's know that they can use another Agent but they will be paying your buyer commission regardless who finds them the house. The other choice is to let it go. 

You have the answers. A

Client control is no myth....The phase to bond has moved on.

If you're an agent discuss with your broker.

If you're a broker, well I shall remain silent. 

There are many beneficial things you can do.

However, it is not known if you have the education, skills or experience to use such instruction responsibly.

Best regards,

Anonymous.

Are you a Broker, or an agent working under a Broker?

Talk to your broker.

Talk to your Broker. Decide if the referral fee is worth the frustration of chasing the scene.

Legal question 

I would just move on.

me I'd #walkaway  

I think you have alot of great advise here. Ultimately this will be your decision -- to move forward or move on.

Do you have the contact information for the agent? If so, notify that agent of the contractual obligation of the buyers and your willingness to accept a referral in lieu of full commission. Get it is writing!

In any event, repeatedly remind the buyers of their contractual obligation to you until they engage with you and settle the matter. They are not clear on the possible consequences of their actions. Their relative is meddling in a contractual relationship and can be held civilly liable for such activity while the buyers can also be held liable to pay your commission.

The other agent, if a Realtor, may be in violaiton of the Code of Ethics by soliciting a buyer who is under contract to another agent.

Oh, gosh, what the situation. Keep us posted. 

No way! You have to fight!

You have many great answers here 

Litigation is time consuming and takes years off your life.  The Choice is yours, but I'd walk away, especially if they are dealing with family.  A local cometitor might be different, but "NEXT!"

Hope you wrote your agreement carefully, i.e. with locations and dates specified, so you can prove procuring cause if they happen to purchase a home that fits your agreement's legal parameters. However, it may be difficult for you to track their movements and you may have to file a lawsuit via your broker, who may or may not be willing to pursue that course. Good luck. 

Your record keeping must be extensive and intact for every property shown, every email, text and phone call made. Their responses and of course that submitted offer will go a long way. Exhaust your options with the "relative" before going further. They will usually come to their senses and you can work out the details of the referral fee.

Technically you are probably owed the commission, I would question whether the hassle and stress of a confrontation is worth it.  A decision only you can make 

I would discuss this with your broker.

Move on. You will be more productive when you avoid litigation.

it's time to bring your broker/owner into that scenario...

I think THE ANSWER is in here somewhere. Seems like you may be entitled to compensation.

Best answer: Follow your Broker's advise

?

Your agreement is a legally binding contract.  Do you know the name of the distance relative?  If an agent, he/she understands these agreements and will need to let the buyers know they have to resolve their contract with you before he can work with them.

The other agent owes you the commission based on the buyer broker; so a referral fee would let him off easy-do it now!

Many good responses!

BBAs are tough because in order to collect you have to sue the former client.  I don't see any reason against asking for that referral fee, but I'd do it directly to the agent.  I'd also provide a list of the homes you've shown and say "If they buy any of these, I get 75% of the commission, since I initially showed it to them."

Honestly I'd just let it go if they didn't respond.  If they buy without you of course your broker could enforce it and get the commission, but that's not something I would do.

They will have to pay both of you!

Depending on the State you live, there are other circumstances to look at.  If there was not a break in service, you very well could be owed a commission.

You have the power and I would use it if you have a signed contract

As yourself if the time and trouble is really worth it.  All answers here are good ones but it is up to you to pursue which course you would take.