Craigslist NYC Apartment Broker Shenanigans

One of the most annoying things about renting an apartment in New York City is dealing with the brokers. I'm sorry but anyone who's seen those "Selling New York" shows and all that may think that it's the customers who are insane; but that's just a one-on-one sampling. The brokers in New York City are ruthless. Some of them are fine but there isn't one who can't say that they hadn't told lies when it suits them. They take all the liberties with embellishment as long as it takes you to sign the lease. Most residents who have dealt with a broker but want to move will make every attempt to get into a building of a friend or co worker so they can possibly forego the broker process.

That's not to say that they all are like that, but be wary the apartments rented on Craigslist. Especially the "no-fee" variety. At the bottom of the advertisement the listing says, "Fee Disclosure: NO FEE!" right above the line which reads "Listed By: Sara/1 month fee ny."

Wait, what?

Yup, you read that correctly. ordinarily I wouldn't put out copy like this about someone I had not done business with but Sara was one of the agents I had set up to go see apartments with this very morning. When I got on the phone with her last night, I told her I would come up to her office at noon.

Lucky for me my wife had the brilliant notion to go to a place we had been before where we knew the super. It turns out that this man had an apartment and all our problems were solved. As a courtesy I called all the appointments I had made to that point in the day including Sara. See that phone number? That's her cell phone number.

So when I called her this morning around 10am she sounded a little groggy but I identified myself, told her I'd had luck elsewhere and wished her well. she was pleasant and accommodating. Then about 6:30pm I get the nasty call.

"Hi is this Jesse?

"Yes."

"This is SARA, we had an appointment at noon today; what happened?"

Of course I informed her that we had indeed spoken. I even told her the time. She did not seem to understand who I was or that I was right. That was when she replied, "Well you didn't speak to me!" and hung up.

So there you have it. New York City real estate brokers. Beware their double-speak and repeat yourself when you identify yourself.