e070920 Opportunity to be an exclusive exhibitor

Identifier: e070920

Date: 09/20/2007

Question

Does paying to be an exhibitor at a mortgage/real estate show in which I will be the "exclusive" home inspector violate ASHI's prohibition on paying for referrals? 

Response  

The fact that you are the only exhibitor, or that you are the only invited exhibitor, is not by itself a violation of the Code of Ethics.  However, if your paid participation includes the promotion of your company to the public by one or more real estate agencies as an exclusive service provider, or otherwise lists you as an approved or preferred vendor, such endorsement of your services for a fee would, in effect, constitute payment for referrals to potential clients in violation of 1.C of the Code of Ethics. 

Paying for referrals in any form can create an obligation between the inspector and the referring party and may compromise the impartiality of the home inspector, representing a conflict of interest to the potential detriment of the consumer. 

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