Good morning Paul!

You're going to get about 80% of responses saying, "what, no way, I'd never pay for a lead referral service!", then about 10% saying they paid and no way was it worth it - "what a rip off", and then another 10% saying "Yes, it was great!"

That's my prediction.

Have never done that Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS 

Yes, during the recession and yes, I surpassed my annual cost but, dropped it when my website began bringing more leads than they were providing!

Agents send each other business and it costs from 30 to 50% and many say it was worth it.

Many work with relocation companies and pay 30 to 50% and many say it was worth it.

For MUCH LESS money one can fish up stream and find buyers and sellers. The difference is, with the latter you need to learn how to work it.

Now it is important to make clear if you are talking of a referral service that typically charges a % (thousands of dollars each) or a lead service that charges by lead or zone.

For each the outcome is incrementally dependent on agents ability to process.

Have I ever? Yes. As ones business becomes increasing past client referral, agents migrate to the lower hanging fruit requiring less need to work it.

yes-lots of times and never come close

Paul,

We never needed it for our practice...I have known people who have made $$$ and some who have not.  A

Years ago Sandy did and no; never broke even.

no, I have never.....I make my own phone ring....and we get referrals all the time from previous clients....

No, never.

What the hell Paul, your stuttering your question 4 times.

No I haven't paid because it seems return is low for others. My wallet is tightly closed.

I have in past years... and yes, I earned more than I paid.

Three - what exactly is a paid referral service . Is it buying leads online ? Are they exclusive ?

I have never paid for a referral.

Never signed up.Always thought the cost exceeded the return. Part of the 80% prediction of Kat Palmiotti.

I have not signed up for or paid for a referral service unless we can count AR. I've received and given many referrals over the years. 

Never was my thing.

Very briefly, so I didn't waste too much time or money.

Yes.

nope, did your submit button get stuck?

There is no good paid referral service. The BEST service is one that takes a percentage of the referrals. That way you really know if they are real, ready, willing and able to buy or sell. I have had good luck with those types of referrals and welcome them

I have not paid for any service monthly or upfront. At closing, yes & would do it again. 

I'm in Kat's 80%.

No, never have and likely never will. I doubt it would be a decent ROI.

Yes I have and luckily I have acutual come out on top with the money.  What I paid for and what I have converted into clients who bought.

Seems to be a repeat here.

I told them I will get leads first if it pays off I am willing to give the broker a cut. 

I did in my 1st year and I look at it as a typical rookie mistake Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS 

I alredy answered this questions less than a minute ago.

Yes

Are talking about buying leads or joining some referral network that has a buy in and once in agents refer to each other??? For me the answer is don't buy leads - never pay (or support) someone to get inbetween you and the public.  And I've never paid money to join a referral network.

No no