Ha!...they are working with another agent but they like your voice so much that they will kick them to the curb and use you instead.  Sure, try getting them into your office to chat...

They are a flake...they will call the next listing and say the same thing.

Eve

I would show the listing and speak to them and the other agent.... I would write it up if that's what the buyer wants but I represent the seller....and I WOULD PAY THE BUYER'S AGENT THEIR FEE.... my job is to move property not fight over money..... that's happened before and everyone was happy.

Define "working with "!  Not enough info to make a clear decision but I would do everything possible for my Seller.

UGH. *hate*
If they are formally contracted, the conversation is over and I would contact their agent to show their client the house.

If not (verify) then ask what is the problem with their agent and unless they can give me a good reason for coming to me directly, I will encourage them to tour with their agent.

If they can give me a good reason (ex. abandonment) we will show them the house as a customer, for the good of our seller client. If they do not want to buy that property, if they are willing to formalize with us, we will help. If we like them. ;)

"I truly appreciate the trust you have given me. However, you will need to call your agent to see this house."

Now if the conversation has started, "I been trying to reach my agent for 17 days and can't connect. I need help. Will you show me the house?" my response would be different.

From what you have shared in the question what I see is one trying to be clever.

I'd ask them if they have a BRE (rep contract) with their agent?

I'd ask why they are firing their agent?

I'd ask them to CC me on the e-mail they send to their agent, notifying him or her that they plan to buy direct from me.

Which of course they will work with my team, not me personally as I remain arm's length in dual agency.

This process quickly filters out the genuine from the swine.

It happens and I've cleaned up another agent(s') mess before, but I do it ethically.

Knowing that this would be in the best interest of my seller I would go show them the house.

First find out if a Buyer Representation Agreement or Buyer Customer Service Agreement is in place for this type of transaction.

"I'm a Realtor and appreciate loyalty so you should consider whether your Realtor knows the local community and has done enough for you to earn your support and business.  We give our time for free in hopes of gaining loyalt.  Are you happy with your Realtor?  Does your Realtor work locally exclusively?  Do you feel like your Realtor is someone you would like to have represent you?  I would love the opportunity to work with you.  Have you signed a buyer broker agreement.  If not, you are free to work with anyone you choose to work with.  Would you like to work with me?"

You need more information and to determine their "game" and to handle it ethically. There are a lot of stories like this.  It always boils down to handling it the way you would want to be treated if you were on the other side (ie: the agent who they have been "working" with).  

Richard L. McKinney P.A. I would send them back to their agent. If they go behind their agent's back, they will surely go behind yours.

I say that I'm going to stay out of the middle of this, and for them to contact their agent. If they claim that they can't get a hold of their agent then I take it from there. If they haven't been able to get a hold of their agent in 2 weeks, then as long as there is not an agent agreement in place, we'll show them the home. I don't need other agent's clients (or their headaches)

I would tell them to call the agent they said they are working with. I do not step on other agnet's clients. I would also take it one step further and call the agent and ask them to show my listing to their client.

I would show them the listing and strongly suggest that they use their own agent to represent them in the transaction.

First, do they have a signed buyer rep agreement.  If yes, I can't help them.  If no, do they intend to have one with this agent.  I can't tell you how many times I have shown one of my listings and the offer magically shows up, written by the agent they said they didn't have.

Make sure they aren't under an agreement with the other agent.  If not, show the house and write the offer.  If they are under contract and the agent didn't say "No, I won't show it to you" then tell them to use their agent.

If the buyer has an agent, why they even call you to schedule a showing?

btw, I appreciate the honestly, I had calls from some buyers who stated that they do not have an agent, but an agent magically appeared to write an offer. 

Doesn't sounds like a buyer I would like to work with!

First and foremost you ask if they have signed a buyers contract.  Then I ask WHy?  Then a call to that agent would be in line and go from there

I would love to show that home to you, but first...

"I will need to talk to your agent before I show it to you, and if you need a new agent then I will need to see some paperwork showing that you are no longer under contract with them."

I've handled it two ways. Like Barbara Todaro, clearing it with the other agent and writing the offer but paying the agent the fee. And like Candice A. Donofrio  (including her "ugh, hate"!).

I would tell them they need to call their agent.

Depends on state law or rules. In Oklahoma we are a total transactional state so this can be done. 

Richard,

This is a hornet's nest.  They need to do the dirty work, and fire their agent or rescind the agreement if they have signed one.  I would stay out of it.  A

Ask them if they have signed a Buyer Broker Agreement with the other agent.

If not, ask them if they are willing to sign one with us.

If no....NEXT!!!!

If they have an agency agreement with an agent, I would refer them to their agent.

Richard L. McKinney P.A. if it is convenient for you, it's okay to show, knowing that this may result into a sale of YOUR listing - which is our primary job.

Now if that happens for everything, you may want to draw a line somewhere.

First establish if they have a signed buyer representation agreement with the other agent. If they do, hands off. If not, I would want to know their motivation for using me (supposedly a stranger to them) to buy my listing. I don't like being a dual agent and will always remind them that my first loyalty is to the seller.

I think Barbara Todaro has the right answer.  

To some extent this might be a legal issue, check with your state reg's.Clarify what "working with another agent" means and act within the scope of your local laws (Buyer Agency, Transaction Agency, etc.). In CT, for example, I believe you would be permitted to show the home since it is your listing, but the other agent should be aware if there is a Buyer Agency agreement in place and the buyer will remain that agent's client. If there is no signed agreement, you could presumably take over the client relationship or this could be a referral situation. Not sure what happens in states that have transaction broker arrangements or "no brokerage relationships" as Florida does, for example. If someone knows, please respond, I'd love to learn!

1)  My listing -- I am available to show it to any qualified buyer regardless if they are represented or not.

2) If they don't like the house --- Case Closed.   No Problem.

3) If they like the house -- Many more questions will need to be asked.

I am contracted to sell my Clients home. If someone wants to see it I will show it to them and work everything else out afterwards.

Newbie opinion (a.k.a. not reality-tested at all): I would show them the house (for benefit of the seller) and then refer the buyer back to their own agent for more or tell that I'd be happy to refer them to another agent within the company to work with them when their current agreement expires (or if they have a valid reason to cancel it). I don't think I'd care to try being a transaction broker until I have a quite a few transactions w/ agency status under my belt. 

Like any relationship... if it's not working out, respect all parties, cut the ties  move on. If the would do it to their currant Realtor,  they just might do it to you after you have put time and money in.