Who feels sorry for Estate Agents ?

Davesnave

Some good points made here.

The agents I've employed in the past few years have not fitted the stereotypes at all, nor have most of the rural ones I've dealt with as a property viewer. I haven't been pressurised or cajoled in any particular direction, though I may have been fed the odd bit of BS, which I see as no worse than the sort of thing that happens in any commission-based sales situation.

I think someone had it right when they said we get the EAs we deserve. Lazy sellers have helped create a breed of shoddy, spivvy agents, probably city-based, but we don't have to employ them. I am not an apologist for bad agents, just a hater of stereotyping which, if it's accepted, denies the possibility of the change & improvement everyone claims to want.

The altered market has made most buyers much more confident, which is a good thing; so if you've had good service from the agent, tell the seller. Likewise, if you think they are being short-changed let them know. I've given negative feedback about agents in the past year, though only about laziness or simple incompetence as that's all I have to complain about. I've had some really good service & advice too; Parry Lowarch in Shrewsbury being an example that comes to mind.