OMG! BBC Whistleblower - Estate Agents

Doozergirl

I saw a trailer for this program being shown on BBC1 on Tuesday night. It's the usual journalist getting a job undercover to expose unscrupulous practice. Interesting for anyone interested in seeing exactly what they get up to, but get this...

I know one of the agents being shown! :eek: In fact, I saw and spoke to him yesterday!

I'll be watching with interest. I hope he hasn't been too naughty, though if they can make TV out of it...

Do the subjects of these programs know about it beforehand, do you think?

MyUserNamesTaken

As far as I know, they normally ask those featured if they have anything they'd like to say before the programme is aired.

tinkerbelluk

Yeap - Having worked for a company that was the subject of a HUGE watchdog investigation many moons back they do ask you before if you would like to comment but they don't tell you exactly what they are planning to say about the company!

AndrewSmith

They did that to an ex-collegue of mine, I STRESS THE EX lol, just before he was shown by secret video telling someone to lie about their income on a Self Cert mortgage. They told him it was a simple documentary about financial services.

I think he should be eligible for early released any time now.

stanmoresaver

I maybe going out alone on a limb here but this type of programme make my blood boil.

I do not condone lazy, shoddy and bad practice amongst any profession, but the simple aim of these programmes are to be sensasionalistic, and get the highest viewing figures in order and to sell the advertising space at the maximum price if on a commercial network, or compete with them to justify the licence fee if on the beeb!

The bi-product is to reduce consumer confidence in any trade or profession which tars the professional and honest members of that industry and encourages scepticism of the whole industry, whether it be E/A's, Financial Advisers, Mortgage Brokers, Plumbers etc.

As you can guess, I won't be watching and adding to their ratings.


:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

hazy1

stanmoresaver wrote:

I maybe going out alone on a limb here but this type of programme make my blood boil.

I do not condone lazy, shoddy and bad practice amongst any profession, but the simple aim of these programmes are to be sensasionalistic, and get the highest viewing figures in order and to sell the advertising space at the maximum price if on a commercial network, or compete with them to justify the licence fee if on the beeb!QUOTE]


Anyone who appears on a TV programme has to sign a release and consent form giving their permission to appear otherwise the programme makers get into trouble. The only reason that TV channels are able to show people's images without their permission is when it is in the public's interest (and you need to really be able to prove that's it's in their interest otherwise they can get sued). This is why programme's like Donal McIntyre are able to get away with showing people's faces without their say so. The programme's may be sensasionalistic but in the end of the day serious bad practice has to be happening before any broadcaster will risk a court case. You simply cannot get away with putting someone's image on telly with out thier permission unless it is in the public's interest.

eurows

Anyone who appears on a TV programme has to sign a release and consent form giving their permission to appear otherwise the programme makers get into trouble. The only reason that TV channels are able to show people's images without their permission is when it is in the public's interest (and you need to really be able to prove that's it's in their interest otherwise they can get sued). This is why programme's like Donal McIntyre are able to get away with showing people's faces without their say so. The programme's may be sensasionalistic but in the end of the day serious bad practice has to be happening before any broadcaster will risk a court case. You simply cannot get away with putting someone's image on telly with out thier permission unless it is in the public's interest.

Rubbish. They are making a programme that happens to be truthful. The only way they can get in touble is if they misrepresent it.

Doozergirl

stanmoresaver wrote:

I do not condone lazy, shoddy and bad practice amongst any profession, but the simple aim of these programmes are to be sensasionalistic, and get the highest viewing figures in order and to sell the advertising space at the maximum price if on a commercial network, or compete with them to justify the licence fee if on the beeb!

Somehow I don't think it's a coincidence that the agent I know looks and sounds like a totally stereotypical London Estate Agent. Dresses like Del Boy, drives a nice Audi convertible and has a real "Wheelin' ana Dealin', Duckin' ana Divin', Alrigh' Maaaate, Saff Londin" accent.

Stereotyping just perpetuates the myth. He's an obvious target.

zag2me

Finally someone exposing all the lies these estate agents spin! I used to know a co-worker at my old job who was a former estate agent. His salary was based on commission and some of the stories he used to tell us on how he gained the maximum commision where shocking. Inventing mystery buyers, valuing properties high, not telling buyers about obvious problems in the chain.

IN_LIKE_EVERYONE_ELSE!

I am confused, why would anyone, especially the BBC suggest that some estate agents are as bent as nine bob notes?

Blimus !!

ILEE

linlin_3

Having recently sold our home, I suspect the EA concerned of malpractice but can do nothing to prove it. Now in the process of buying a house, amazing that every house we are interested in has "a similar offer in the pipeline" and "also from a cash buyer". Offers are made after accepting what the EA has told us e.g. the vendor is willing to move (rent) to our timescale, but once the offer is accepted they have a sudden change of circumstance!!!!
Liars one and all