Industry introductions with past/current colleagues, what has been your experience helping past colleagues (say intros to potential buyers you know) and how they have helped in return - story included

Hey guys,

Am a few years out of undergrad, was curious what your experience has been with introducing past coworkers to potential buyers or helping them in any way and what you have received in return if anything when you needed it?

My first role was in brokerage and then I moved to the principal side, was unfortunately let go somewhat recently. Over the past 6 months and in general since I left my brokerage role I’ve stayed in touch with some brokers at my old shop whether it’s seeing what deals they had for us as an owner we could buy or in general connecting them to potential buyers I caught up with and thought they could have deals for. 
 

Overall I’ve connected 3-4 buyers, people I’ve caught up with and somewhat know with brokers at my old shop to help both sides out. Happy to do that it takes 2 minutes to write an intro email.

Since I lost my last job, some of those brokers were helpful in connecting me with people that they knew were looking. Others said they would help, but from past experience it’s just lip service and others were helpful with individual connections (ex I’m interested in talking to someone at x firm, and they would make the intro). Recently reached out to one who I asked a similar request to and it was read/ignored. 
 

Curious what everyone’s experience has been with this, helping out past colleagues to their and somewhat your benefit/but if you need something in return they’ve been silent? If you do something for someone like an intro, have you expected reciprocation when you have a need?
 

I have made 3-4 intros at minimum to potential buyers that could help this broker over the past year and then they ignored me when I asked for help (see if the firm they’re close with are looking/could make an intro). From what I’ve seen going from brokerage to the principal side it’s a very selfish view from people who are looking for deals when you’re a broker. I’ve had people who I had somewhat of a relationship with completely ignore me when I reached out for job advice at their firm (maybe not the right exp/fit but still)/general catch up after I left brokerage. Also, have heard when people are down (say a big real estate owner gets in trouble or maybe retires) some say that the phone rings a lot less/not at all from people they’ve known for 30 years and thought they were close with. It seems especially in major markets people are out for themselves and will fake relationships to get to their goals.

What’s everyone’s thoughts on this/experience in general? I’m assuming it’s going to be move on/it’s the industry/use common sense don’t let people use you, and maybe I’m being too soft.