Well, if nothing else I hope your not surprised. I mean, we are talking about a realtor. Every time I write the word ‘realtor’ I cringe thinking about that phony ad where they try to educate the public on the correct pronunciation of that word ‘realtor.’

Q: How do you know when a realtor is lieing?

A: Their lips are moving.

[quote=svelte]I don’t know, it doesn’t seem any different than the zillion college brochures mailed to us when our kids were high school seniors, or the letter the car dealer sends us offering to sell us a new car the month he knows we made our final payment, or the refi offers we get in the mail that list our original mortgage company, or the AARP brochures that we started getting when we turned 40 (!!). It always makes me aware of just how much info there is floating around about us out there.

Not really thrilled with any of that, but I’m not sure I think a line was crossed.[/quote]

Most of the things you mentioned are all positive, or at least part of normal living.

Now imagine you went to an oncologist, and because of that charge, a realtor was able to send you this: “dealing with cancer is difficult, and possible death is worse. Let me help you sell your home now so you can enjoy those frozen equities now! I’ll even arrange with the new owner to help you stay in your home until your demise.”

To me divorce is still quite a negative concept, and definitely not something one can assume just based on a quit claim deed. Just like you do not assume cancer or imminent death from a visit to an oncologist. Don’t think any realtor has ever crossed that line since now we are dealing with Confidentiality issues of health. But I think there is enough parallels here for OP to be justified in his anger.

[quote=sunny88]My wife and I received a letter from a realtor recently stating that “divorce is an uncomfortable process, no matter what the reasons behind it…. Either way, I am here to help you both”. He knew both our names.
I assume that he found out about us since I signed a quit claim deed recently which was not related to a divorce. I was very offended by his letter and think that this is a very inappropriate marketing strategy. Also, I wonder where he finds the names of people who sign a QCD.
I’m even thinking of filing a complaint to the Department of Real Estate. What do you think?[/quote]
If the quick claim deed is recorded, which I assume it was, it’s public record. Look up your name and see if it shows.
http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/services/grantorgrantee/search.aspx

But this realtor is pretty sleazy. Regardless.

[quote=sunny88]My wife and I received a letter from a realtor recently stating that “divorce is an uncomfortable process, no matter what the reasons behind it…. Either way, I am here to help you both”. ……I’m even thinking of filing a complaint to the Department of Real Estate. What do you think?[/quote]

sunny, no question about it: the guy is not only cheap and sleazy, he’s obviously clueless, too.

You can file a complaint with the appropriate state government agency, but I’m willing to bet you’ll get someone who will tell you that Sleazoid acted appropriately and entirely within the law. While implying that you’re exhibiting spoiled middle class citizen behavioral traits by calling to complain.

I think that you’ll get a lot more satisfaction if you find public arenas in which to embarrass him. You won’t have to risk slander or libel: simply provide the details of this guy’s brilliant and innovative direct marketing ploy, like you did here, and the word will spread. Letters to local newspapers if they have “citizen bitchin'” columns. Real estate sites where you can enter comments on this guy’s listings. Perhaps a YouTube video.

However, the frustrated ACLU attorney deep inside me thinks that you might want to phone the guy first, and tell him that you didn’t appreciate what he did. He may be having a really tough time of it financially, like so many these days, desperately trying to come up with marketing ideas that will keep him in business, and the thought that it might be hurtful and offensive to potential clients didn’t occur to him. Cluelessness can be a situation-related temporary condition – it isn’t always a hard-wired character deficiency.

But if the guy does turn out to be the total dick that everyone’s predicting, go for the jugular, baby!

[quote=ocrenter]

Most of the things you mentioned are all positive, or at least part of normal living.
[/quote]

Well I don’t know about you but I don’t think getting old is a positive! lol

They are all businesses prepared to offer a service who are seeking people needing that service. I see no problem with that, even if it is for an event that people aren’t happy about.