Word Watch · Term 15 of 30 · 0:54

Client vs. customer

ProductionIllustrated Click2CE lesson; AI-assisted production with Sarah narration

In brief

A client is represented through an agency relationship; a customer may receive services without that representation.

Example

An agent representing a seller may assist an unrepresented buyer, while still owing duties required by law.

TranscriptRead along, or select a timestamp to jump there
  1. Two people may receive help in a transaction without having
  2. the same relationship with the brokerage.
  3. A client is represented through an agency relationship.
  4. A customer may receive services without that representation.
  5. Picture the agent representing the seller while showing the property
  6. to an unrepresented buyer.
  7. In this example, the seller is the client and the
  8. buyer is a customer.
  9. Customer does not mean no protection.
  10. Duties required by law still apply.
  11. The key is to distinguish representation from assistance, and to
  12. explain the actual relationship rather than let someone assume they
  13. are represented.
  14. Quick check:
  15. does answering a buyer's question automatically establish that the agent
  16. represents the buyer?
  17. No.
  18. Identify the agency relationship and governing rules; assistance alone does
  19. not settle the question.

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