[Parker]

NewGal, you go girl! The whole thing sounds sleazy to me, and if they haven't crossed the line, they are certainly skirting it. I like your tenacity. I wouldn't want to be on your bad side.

[NewGal]

Parker no bad side here, just a tiny bit of a justice complex maybe :P and philnpat I will gladly keep you informed on what I come up with. I hope more people will speak up and maybe we can get The Villages to stop this. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this community thanks so much for the support everyone!

[missypie]

I thanked her for the basket full of "goodies" and she said "oh, NOT the basket itself".

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by NewGal

I agree with you but sometimes if we sit silent than we allow for a precedent to be set without meaning to. I know most of us like to protect our community, albeit a new one or one we have lived in for many years. I know that in the current state of things it seems as though our voices don't get heard, but I refuse to sit silent where I could be proactive. I know that may seemingly make me come across as petty, but it isn't that. This type of link and this ability to vocalize makes the gaps close a little bit and lets us set a standard for what we will and will not tolerate. Much love to you all.

Did you notice the dates of the threads I posted? This Welcome Wagon thing did not just start last week.

[travlin50]

That is exactly what she said to us, Oh sorry, you don't get to keep the basket. (which was the best part!) I think she catches folks off guard, you are trying to move into your new home and the doorbell rings, you just answer it and she says in a perky voice - "Hi, I am the Welcome Wagon and I want to welcome you to your new home". We got lots of coupons and some little gifts such as a tape measure with advertisements, but I never received any calls from any of the businesses she was promoting. Then she did ask for our email address, but told us it was optional. We figured out pretty quick that she was not a real "Welcome Wagon" person, rather than a paid person to hand out business trinkets and coupons.

[NewGal]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Did you notice the dates of the threads I posted? This Welcome Wagon thing did not just start last week.

I didn't even notice the dates, my apologies but I saw something being said about YEARS ago - how disheartening.

[graciegirl]

Here is a listing of businesses connected to the "real" Welcome Wagon in the zip code 32162, but no mention of the name of the Welcome Wagon person.


Welcome Wagon - About Us

[loveinthesun]

Yes the real Welcome Wagon sends out a book in the mail or you can look online to see who is a member.

[outahere]

We were "visited" by both the Welcome Wagon lady and the people trying to sell us a water system. In both instances, I just said "I'm not interested" and closed the door.

If the "Welcome Wagon" lady is married to someone who works for TV and is getting information about new sales from him, that is probably not illegal, but is certainly unethical. If her husband is a licensed real estate agent/broker and is a member of the National Association of Realtors, he is probably violating their ethics standards and should be reported.

[kstew43]

the sales agents in the villages are not REALTORS.

To be a Realtor you must be a member of a Board of Realtors and pay a yearly membership fee to either sumter, marion, or lake county boards. This enables them to sell from the MLS (mutiple listing service).

The villages created there own MLS and called it the VLS, they have there own rules with contracts and the such and don't use the standard paperwork and contracts set up by the Board of Realtors. This way they can control the commissions of there salesman and keep all the money inhouse. Done by new builders to control the money and keep outside realtors from getting commissions from bringing in buyers.

They do have a florida license to sell realestate and must follow the florida state rules.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by kstew43

the sales agents in the villages are not realtors.

To be a realtor you must be a member of a board of realtors and pay a yearly membership fee to either sumter, marion, or lake county boards. This enables them to sell from the mls (mutiple listing service).

The villages created there own mls and called it the vls, they have there own rules with contracts and the such and don't use the standard paperwork and contracts set up by the board of realtors. This way they can control the commissions of there salesman and keep all the money inhouse. Done by new builders to control the money and keep outside realtors from getting commissions from bringing in buyers.

They do have a florida license to sell realestate and must follow the florida state rules.

and. There's nothing wrong with that. Obviously "they" are selling way more real estate than REALTORS here in TV.

[NewGal]

I am only suggesting that TV is not aware that there is someone inhouse pumping information to Elizabeth Berning and her little scam. It's most likely Mike Berning considering she arrives moments after you move in. I don't think TV would be bothering with the couple of pennies they would obtain from these little mom and pop smoke shows like TAS Environmental. I mean she is hand delivering these "baskets". My assumption is that they aren't informed that this is transpiring and that someone working in their offices is double dipping. I can't be sure of this but I'd like to create an awareness either way.

[mixsonci]

Originally Posted by NewGal

I am only suggesting that TV is not aware that there is someone inhouse pumping information to Elizabeth Berning and her little scam. It's most likely Mike Berning considering she arrives moments after you move in. I don't think TV would be bothering with the couple of pennies they would obtain from these little mom and pop smoke shows like TAS Environmental. I mean she is hand delivering these "baskets". My assumption is that they aren't informed that this is transpiring and that someone working in their offices is double dipping. I can't be sure of this but I'd like to create an awareness either way.

I would also like to be informed of what you find out. As a single woman I will be moving to TV early next year and don't want these people hard-selling me things I don't really know anything about and would just worry about what I do or don't really need. It's so confusing trying to get settled in without them adding to it.

[NewGal]

Originally Posted by mixsonci

I would also like to be informed of what you find out. As a single woman I will be moving to TV early next year and don't want these people hard-selling me things I don't really know anything about and would just worry about what I do or don't really need. It's so confusing trying to get settled in without them adding to it.

I will gladly keep you informed, I am hoping we can create an awareness to avoid this from happening. It's just very unfortunate that some have been saying it's been going on for years. I am still waiting to hear back from TV about the affiliation, I guess if nothing else I might open their eyes to it. Good luck on your move!

[OBXNana]

I am not in The Villages yet, but our Welcome Wagon folks get their information on what property has sold, from Realtors. In The Villages they have a different titles, but the bottom line is they all sell real estate. If the individual coming is representing Welcome Wagon, is there any difference between getting the sold property info from her husband or simply another sales person?

If Ms. Berning is saying she is from Welcome Wagon and is not, that would be a scam. It would be inappropriate for her husband to disclose personal information concerning new residents in The Villages under those circumstances.