My new EA has already let me down

Propertyfan

I changed to a new EA because the last one never told me about the buyer's mortage. My new EA seemed pleasant and nice enough. I signed the contract, a floor plan was done, photos taken, it's up on their website and I've had some views. So why am I let down?

Well, when the guy came to see me to offer his services he said "...and we have a 24 hours feedback policy. We will get in contact with you within 24 hours and tell you the feedback from the viewings."

I had viewings on Thursday and Friday - a total of five for which I'm grateful, don't get me wrong, but they haven't replied with any feedback. I never heard of this 24 hour feedback policy. It sounds a lot of nonsense and I guess it is!

If people don't want to contact the EA to give their opinion of the property they visited then fair enough, I didn't always contact an EA after I saw a property but the EA doesn't have to feed me the bull***t about getting in touch after 24 hours. It made me think "that sounds cool, I'm looking forward to getting some feedback on Friday and today, Saturday." But I've had nothing. Nada. Zilch. A bit fat zero.

Had he never mentioned about "within 24 hours feedback" I wouldn't be waiting. In the past I didn't expect every person viewing my property to reply to the agent. Oh well... more stuff I've learned about this EA lark! They say one thing but mean another.

Propertyfan

I found an actual quote online:

We realise that communication is paramount so we will provide you with feedback after every viewing

http://www.martyngerrard.co.uk/lettings/

That page is to do with lettings, not selling a property, but the EA said to me "we will provide you with feedback after every viewing and within 24 hours."

And the EA on that website is the EA instructed to market my property. That's who I am using. The proof is on their website "we will provide you with feedback after every viewing" so why make this claim when it's not true. Meh.

Wyndham

If someone views a property, they may want to think about it, see a few others, take their time. I'd therefore be automatically suspicious of a 24 hours feedback policy - it feels rather worthless and unobtainable.

gazter

Propertyfan wrote: »

I changed to a new EA because the last one never told me about the buyer's mortage. My new EA seemed pleasant and nice enough. I signed the contract, a floor plan was done, photos taken, it's up on their website and I've had some views. So why am I let down?

Well, when the guy came to see me to offer his services he said "...and we have a 24 hours feedback policy. We will get in contact with you within 24 hours and tell you the feedback from the viewings."

I had viewings on Thursday and Friday - a total of five for which I'm grateful, don't get me wrong, but they haven't replied with any feedback. I never heard of this 24 hour feedback policy. It sounds a lot of nonsense and I guess it is!

If people don't want to contact the EA to give their opinion of the property they visited then fair enough, I didn't always contact an EA after I saw a property but the EA doesn't have to feed me the bull***t about getting in touch after 24 hours. It made me think "that sounds cool, I'm looking forward to getting some feedback on Friday and today, Saturday." But I've had nothing. Nada. Zilch. A bit fat zero.

Had he never mentioned about "within 24 hours feedback" I wouldn't be waiting. In the past I didn't expect every person viewing my property to reply to the agent. Oh well... more stuff I've learned about this EA lark! They say one thing but mean another.

What kind of EA doesnt chase viewers for feedback? Every viewing i have had, the EA has rang me to ask me what i thought, would i be making an offer, should i keep it in mind, was there anything about the property that you liked disliked.

I understand this is a pretty significant part of the job, and quite lengthy as well.

Dan-Dan

Most estate agents offer this `service` , in reality , its not going to happen , if there is feeback to give , you`ll get it , once your on their books , promises like this are just another hook `em tactic

ognum

Propertyfan wrote: »

I changed to a new EA because the last one never told me about the buyer's mortage. My new EA seemed pleasant and nice enough. I signed the contract, a floor plan was done, photos taken, it's up on their website and I've had some views. So why am I let down?

Well, when the guy came to see me to offer his services he said "...and we have a 24 hours feedback policy. We will get in contact with you within 24 hours and tell you the feedback from the viewings."

I had viewings on Thursday and Friday - a total of five for which I'm grateful, don't get me wrong, but they haven't replied with any feedback. I never heard of this 24 hour feedback policy. It sounds a lot of nonsense and I guess it is!

If people don't want to contact the EA to give their opinion of the property they visited then fair enough, I didn't always contact an EA after I saw a property but the EA doesn't have to feed me the bull***t about getting in touch after 24 hours. It made me think "that sounds cool, I'm looking forward to getting some feedback on Friday and today, Saturday." But I've had nothing. Nada. Zilch. A bit fat zero.

Had he never mentioned about "within 24 hours feedback" I wouldn't be waiting. In the past I didn't expect every person viewing my property to reply to the agent. Oh well... more stuff I've learned about this EA lark! They say one thing but mean another.

Oh Propertfan, time to chill a bit I think otherwise you will have had a heart attack before you get a buyer.

First important point of house selling is all EAs are selective about the truth, they will no doubt say the 24 hours doesn't cover weekends, days when it rains or days when the sun shines!

Try to be a bit more laid back, I say this because when EAs become fed up with you they cease to take your calls, won't show your house to anyone and get generally stroppy so try to keep them on your side.

Find the way they like to communicate best, phone, email, text and contact them in that way.

IMO feedback is not so useful, EAs only pass on what they want you to know!

bylromarha

I'm with you OP - if the EA promises, the EA should deliver, even if it's to say "we've tried calling for feedback, but had to leave a message as no one picked up"

The EA should be on top of it - you're paying them enough!

pinkshoes

I think you sound like the house selling version of bridezilla!

gazter

pinkshoes wrote: »

I think you sound like the house selling version of bridezilla!

More like a Vendorsaurus....

Full_of_angst

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect feedback, nor to chase it up when it's not forthcoming. Ok, 24 hours is probably a bit unrealistic in terms of turn around; however, if it was an EA accompanied viewing then 24 hours is possible as they can ask the viewer for their thoughts at the end of the viewing. Otherwise, it's not unreasonable to expect the EA to wait a couple of day then contact the viewers for constructive feedback -it's one of the things we are paying them for - when my sale goes through the EA is going to take quite a big chunk of the proceeds.

When I had viewers I would leave it a day or so then if I hadn't heard anything I would contact the EA to chase it up. Does that make me a nightmare vendor? I don't think it does; it makes me genuinely interested in what potential buyers thought of the home I'm trying to sell.

I would take the advice of the others; relax on the 24 hour turnaround, it's probably unrealistic, but by all means if you haven't heard anything after a couple of days then no harm in chasing up.

Propertyfan

I'm a chillosaurus. They're known for their chilled out nature but general aversion to all things Estate Agent.

From my own experience I know viewings don't result in immediate feedback. I went to see one property and the EA rang me about three weeks later to ask what I felt about the property. I think he forgot about me.

Some EAs did ring me a day or so after I saw a property, certainly within a week, to ask what I thought and I'd usually have to find some reason not to be interested in a second viewing. "Er... the house is too round.... the swimming pool's shade of blue water doesn't sit well with the rest of the house's colour scheme.... my Rolls-Royce won't fit in the garage, the dimensions are too small..."

If this new EA gets a punter to make a genuine offer and a sale proceeds I will be eternally grateful. However if I get zero offers and not many more viewings I will mention the lack of '24 hours feedback' - assuming I don't get much or any feedback - when my contract expires. I have a four week contract with the EA.