I was with Coldwell Banker from 1985 to 1990.  Century 21 from 1990 - 1992.   Then I opened my own company. 

     I encounter those Brokers, and the agents of those companies, from time to time.   All is well.

We remain friends with all who leave, they will be back someday.  And since we are encouraged to self brand our clients never call the office to look for us so if we leave the clients will just continue to reach us at our cell phone numbers.

I'm still in close contact with a lot of agents from my old brokerage - in fact, I'm in the middle of a cross-sale with one of them. 

They know I'm alive and well!

Hmm.  Interesting question, Paul.

I have always assumed that once I left I was "dead" to them on some level. But that being said, as my only phone number on my marketing material has always been my cell, I don't believe I've lost any clients over it. I can't remember the last time someone looking for me called the company number and not me directly. Must be more than 15 years.

I have received some disappointing reports.

The thought never crossed my mind Paul. I don't burn bridges when I leave and have continued contact with previous brokers, associates and administrators. I don't expect them to forward info to anyone. That's my responsibility.

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, - and I do not know why they do so!

It is all about relationships and they do not respect once you leave them!

We probably are 'dead' to our old brokerage, though I met some really nice people, during our short time there Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS,.  I personally could not call, because they would recognize my voice, or my laugh, whichever came first - HA!  I can guarantee they would not give forwarding information to a potential client, and our existing clients know where we are, as our phone number has not changed.  Good question! 

My first broker and I adore each other to this day and are great friends. BUT. She's a Scorpio, if you know anything about astrology--always in control. The office was sternly instructed that when an agent leaves, if someone asks for them, 'they are no longer with us, how can I help you?'
Simple retention of what was accomplished while under that brokerage. I never blamed her.
Of course my clients were always instructed to contact me directly--and one of the first things I did when I left that office was get an 800-number.
This was way before the days of Google Voice.

One office not only said I was no longer there, the caller was told that I was no longer in the business.  This was done by a so-called "friend". 

I call my office, on a regular basis, to ask where I am.  They're not sure, either.

LOL, my peeps know where to find me; they follow the man, not the company. Plus, I don't move often, in fact I averaged 6 years per company so far totaling 3 moves.

I started with Coldwell Banker and YES, I was dead to them once I left. Couple of customer told me that they had called the office and they did not give my information. They were told that they had no clue as to what had happened to me. I remember when some one would call and they had left, I would look up their information and give to the person asking. They were appreciative of the information. It is called being a professional. Since we know that happens, it is important to keep in contact with your customers.

I have always been with 1 company which i bought out 20 years ago

The days when you are dead if you leave are all but over. It is too easy for people to find you. 

Honestly, you are dead & gone & that's the way business is held. I know that if it is personal, they take the name & number & then call me.

I think you should be more concerned how the people that work with you now give you your calls lol.

It has been my experience they don't tell.

No, I have seen other agents that have left our office and they way they are treated and that's not the case.

I am not sure and not sure if I will found out someday or not... but its interesting food for thought 

You bet I am. Just like when I left my former profession, once you walk out the door everything changes

Paul,

Some offices will not give out where you are because they assume the caller could be a prospect, and some do cheerfully.  We told people where someone's new office was and phone number.  A

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, I believe they should give forwarding information, but many do not.

that's sad.... In 40 years, I've changed offices 3 times....and I could go back to managing any one of those offices right now... I left professionally.... the broker/owner and I sat together and discussed my reasoning...it was always for an advancement and a different way to conduct my business....

I always left quickly and did not solicit anyone in the office, even if they followed me from my last office.... 

The first company I was with is closed now and I've been with Coldwell Banker United since 1995 so don't have any issues.

I lived those days but not anymore....Today, ask me

Michael Jacobs nailed this one!

The 'office' I interpret to mean broker, managing broker and staff, NOT the agents.

What I have observed as common practice in real estate offices is the attempt to cannibalize  the departing agents business. Calls coming for the departed agent is responded with, "Paul is not available but Mary can help you now."

What I have witnessed the broker do is distribute the departing agents contacts entered into the brokers CRM to the remaining agents.

Brokers as I have stated so many times and in so many ways, it what is wrong with real estate today.

The agents, however, understand it is business as usual.....UNLESS the reason for the departure is directly related to a remaining agent.

Then it's, "Let the cat fight begin."

And, the sand box rules state, "Never speak badly of a past broker."

How absurd is that! 

I wouldn't say dead to the office but one manager never talked to me again.

Good advice.

When I left my old office, they KNEW where I went, and got an email from a client stating they had no idea.     SAD they treat like that!

I started with one company and since they were run by 6 owner/agents they never really forgave me for leaving.  I don't hold any animosity against anyone and appreciate all that have positively impacted my career.

Our former broker was not happy when our team left. We continue to enjoy good relationships with the Realtors who were our former associates.

I don’t have an office phone number. My cell is the only number that I have given out for quite some time.

I still maintain contact with agents I worked with at previous Brokerages... and I have had transactions with a few of them ..not so much with the Brokers, as they were the reason I left...

No, it's a reasonably small regional community, changes happen frequently, everyone usually knows; all good.

When I left my first office the agents there would say they had no idea of where I went.   I wa the top prducer and they wanted that.  It took a short time to get people to realize where I was

Thankfully when I left my old office i was the Realtor Association President which allowed people to find me. They also can find me on the Internet if they Google.

It's been awhile

All is well.  I dont think the old broker needs to share where you went.  In the age of the internet, people should be able to find you ny your name.  For this reason, never have your main web page be the one spondored by your broker. HAf3ev your own page from day 1

In the old days (before pagers, let alone cell phones) if you only gave out the office number, when you left the office it was a crap shoot if you'd get your calls.  Most of the time the broker was under no obligation to send them your way.  I remember we had to do a lot of "we've moved" marketing when we switched companies back in the day.  Working from home wasn't a serious choice back then either.  Once pagers came around, the smart ones started giving those out and the same with cell phones later on.  Then with personal emails it became much easier to move from company to company.  Now I advise new agents to NEVER give out the company contact info and ALWAYS use their own.

All of my old offices are defunct.  I got out before they closed or were shut down.  I think I'm good.  

Usually, they say, "Dee is not in the office, can I have another agent assist you?"