Contacting listing agent directly - RE protocol

[Jim Stardust]

I have a broker that I work with off and on, she got information that I contacted an agent directly (I just needed very specific information on a property and didn't want to bother her) and she sent me a somewhat nasty email saying that I should have enlist her to do my DD, that's what she's there for, and that there are certain protocols among agents, etc. I haven't replied to it yet, I didn't tell the listing agent anything except that I wanted a couple of questions answered, so it's not like I'm going around her back to buy something with her knowledge, what am I missing?

[Karen Margrave]

Technically, you aren't bound to an agent, unless you've signed an agreement with them to exclusively represent you in the purchase of a property. However; if you want your agent to work for you and beat the bushes for properties, then you should go through her for all your inquiries, etc. If on the other hand you don't think your agent is working for you, for whatever reason, discuss it with her, and then go it on your own, or find another agent. In your case, you did nothing wrong, and your agent should have used a little tact when contacting you, rather than causing a problem and making it uncomfortable to work with her in the future.