Is it ok to ask about someones reputation?

[Matthew Paetz]

Are there any written or unwritten rules about asking fellow BP members about someones reputation? I don't want to cross any lines by using names, but I do have an issue with how I have found some people doing business and would like to know if anyone else has had a similar experience?

[Rich Weese]

Be careful. References sometimes don't mean much. I had someone ask to be my colleague a few days ago and also posted that he was following my posts. Yester day, he asked to list me as a reference. In reading the explanation under the post for that, BP said I should have a relationship with that person. I turned down the request on that basis. I would hope all BP members would not accept the reference request lightly. It is obvious that some members pay attention to that. Rich
p.s. This turned out to be a RE company or agent