FTB - unhelpful estate agent

honey9

Sorry to resurrect this thread! So after looking around other agents we haven't found anything we like at the moment. So I thought I would call up the original agent and ask abut the places we were interested in that we were told were under offer. Got through to a very helpful woman who checked the database (heard her tapping away) and told me one was under offer but accepting viewings and the other one wasn't under offer at all. Excellent, I thought - told her we'd be interested in viewing asap and she said she would check the diary and call me back.

A little while later, no call and it occurred to me I'd given her my maiden name not my married one - not long married and still getting used to that! So I called back and this time the guy we originally saw answered. He told me both places were under offer. I asked him why the woman I spoke to said one wasn't (this was one he told us was under offer when we first visited so you'd think the database would show that by now) and that they don't have anything in our range/preferences at the moment. This despite there being 5 places of exactly the kind we want and at the right price on their site and Rightmove that are not listed as under offer or SSTC!

He said the woman was at their central office and it was an 'overflow' switchboard you get diverted to when everyone in the office is on the phone. Fair enough but is it too much to expect them to have the same data??

I'm just a bit baffled as to why he really seems so unwilling even to entertain any of our interest. Maybe we made a mistake in telling his we didn't need to move right away but surely the fact we have an agreement in principle, solicitor etc would show we are serious? I can't work out if he's trying to play hardball, is telling the truth or has taken a dislike to us for some reason Also another question - if a place is under offer then is it normal to not have anyone else viewing? I am not into gazumping at all but you'd think if an offer falls through they would want to have someone else lined up.

Aaaagh! I hope the whole process isn't going to be this awkward!!!

Vent over, thanks for listening! (well, reading )

Doozergirl

Go and stick a note through the doors of the relevant houses. It's as good as you can do. If the vendor is still looking for a buyer, they will call you.

greenmoneysaver_2

Good idea Doozer, it may also give the vendors the heads up on what is going on, they may have no idea people are being turned away from viewings!

Don't apologise for resurrecting, keep us posted!

betmunch

Could you go via a different branch explaining the issues you are having with this one neg and just want to know if the properties are available or not and if so you would like to view?

honey9

I think we will stick note through the doors, and also maybe try a different branch or just speak to the manager of this one. I really never expected it to be so hard just to set up a viewing!!!

nollag2006

It really is a sellers market at the moment in large parts of SW London, so may EAs don't really feel the need to push too hard to sell quality apartments (I would have thought your wish list of attributes to be very typical of what many other buyers want)