A vent at Estate Agents

googler

"Useless the lot of 'em.

Twice I've had them not show up for viewings, that was bad enough but both times they rang me the next day asking for my opinion on the property."

So your verdict on "the lot of 'em" (countrywide) is based on just two viewings?

Willsnarf1983

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Two working days is not long enough to organise viewings via e-mail. Even if the EA check their e-mails daily, they won't pick up until part way through Thursday, then need reply with properties, pick up your response on Friday, then need to try to contact vendors who may not be contactable at work! If you want to organise viewings at short notice it's sensible to do so by telephone.

I disagree, they could have at least acknowledged the email in the first place and if they really wanted the business they would have tried. Either way I'm gonna go into their office on Monday and try and get them to show me some there and then...that'll be interesting

Will

chickmug

Willsnarf1983 wrote: »

I disagree, they could have at least acknowledged the email in the first place and if they really wanted the business they would have tried. Either way I'm gonna go into their office on Monday and try and get them to show me some there and then...that'll be interesting

Will

The truth may be that EA's get worn down by some of the unbelievably rude people they have to deal with. I recall those who called just as the office was closing asking for viewings to be made at several places the following day.

I recall some people emailing a viewing request at a certain time of day asking if they could view in the next hour or two but before a specific time when they had to do the school run.

I recall those who turned up late without an apology, those who didn't turn up at all and often their excuse was they did get to the area, didn't like it, but didn't come to the property as they didn't want to waste their time. Er what about the vendors time and when we confronted them they said "well the vendor would be in anyway".

I recall those who had unaccompanied viewings such as Sunday PM and left a message on our answerphone earlier on the Sunday PM to say they couldn't make it.

Then we had the sellers who decided it was sunny, or something, and went out even though they knew there was a viewing arranged - so knocking on the door of a empty house was no joke.

Not excuse, just letting off steam, as we were very flexible and willing but became increasingly fed up with those that were rude. A bit like EA's some spoil it for the rest?

Willsnarf1983

hi

Yeah I agree that most are probably decent, I'm just annoyed that basically I'm gonna have to do the 1 hour each way journey again after monday when I book times....I was hoping not to have to do that tbh

Will

Fire_Fox

Willsnarf1983 wrote: »

I disagree, they could have at least acknowledged the email in the first place and if they really wanted the business they would have tried. Either way I'm gonna go into their office on Monday and try and get them to show me some there and then...that'll be interesting

Will

How can you disagree? You didn't manage to organise viewings via e-mail in two working days, therefore it obviously wasn't long enough. I do agree the EAs should have acknowledged your e-mail.

Willsnarf1983

Fire_Fox wrote: »

How can you disagree? You didn't manage to organise viewings via e-mail in two working days, therefore it obviously wasn't long enough. I do agree the EAs should have acknowledged your e-mail.

I disagree that viewings cannot be made in 2 days via email as is my perogative to disagree....simple!

chickmug

Willsnarf1983 wrote: »

I disagree that viewings cannot be made in 2 days via email as is my perogative to disagree....simple!

I acknowledge the frustration you face, as a serious buyer, as the service will only be as good as the agent that particular seller has employed.

Like with all agents the seller/s will not realise how good or bad thsi agent is to be until they are snared into the selling agreement.

It really is very very hard in some parts of the counrty to find an agent that ticks every box and often that agent may not be entirely to the sellers and buyers approval

Romani_Ite_Domum

From experience I would say that EAs are an unnecessary buffer between the vendor and buyer.

If you are savvy enough to be reading this then you could probably do quite well without one.

Emmzi

As a single woman selling my house I'm very glad to have a buffer to
a) filter out weirdos and show round people I may not feel comfortable with and
b) deal with all the questions - I don't really have time to (selling as I work a long way away and aren't always about to give quick replies)
c) know what to price at and where to advertise - I don't have a clue!

Plus they nudge me for things like surveyors, remind me who I need to chase up to keep legal and get to completion.. (in partnership with solicitor)

I'm not anti - EA. My selling agent has been great. He had a handy reserve viewers list for when my sale fell through - and a stack of peope lined up to visit within 2 days.

The EAs of places I've been looking to buy - not so good. I like replies to emails, people to be on time, them to have told the office that yes, they are coming to meet me.. and not to spam my phone with texts even when i have asked them to stop!