Room Sizes Only in Metres

googler

If any EA is using software which doesn't convert metric to imperial for them (or vice versa) in order to generate and populate both in their schedules, then either their software needs an upgrade, or they need new software.

techno12

PenguinJim wrote: »

And visiting other countries is fantastic - finally, road signs in metres (by the time I've converted an "Exit - 300 Yards" sign into a real distance, it's whooshed by!)

Not so hard to convert as a yard is roughly the same as a metre.

Just like m to ft for me is "about 3x plus a bit", and mi to km is "double, minus a larger bit" ;-)

At least, that's how I look at it. Was at school 70s/80s so we were taught both, but all metric as the years progressed.

I remember when Blue Peter has a vote on whether to switch to metric for when they were doing a "make or cook something" feature, or to leave them in imperial. Metric won.

AdrianC

techno12 wrote: »

Not so hard to convert as a yard is roughly the same as a metre.

...and sq ft to sq m is roughly divide by ten.

TBagpuss

I can (and do) do the conversions, but my personal preference is for Imperial measurements for rooms because I find them easier to visualise. For me, it is mildly irritating to have to convert if I am browsing properties, as it's an extra step I have to take (albeit a small, and easy step).

For me, it's on a par with poorly written particulars, where the agent can't spell, or doesn't know what a word means, or cannot punctuate correctly. It won't stop me viewing a house, but I will be slightly irritated.

And I do think that there are still sufficiently large numbers of people for whom it is a more familiar system, and/or who don't find the conversion easy, that it is sensible of agents to use both, as they are then not excluding any potential clients.

purdyoaten

AdrianC wrote: »

...and sq ft to sq m is roughly divide by ten.

Does anyone else remember the rhymes?

A litre of water is a pint and three-quarter!

Two and a quarter pounds of jam weighs about a kilogram!

mgarl10024

It's not as bad as those EAs who fail to supply floor plans. It's like doing half a job!

Davesnave

TBagpuss wrote: »

it is sensible of agents to use both, as they are then not excluding any potential clients.

This is the crucial bit. Anyone who's done retail knows that there's no place for one's own crusade to alter the behaviour of the masses.

When I was selling, my labelling was in imperial and metric, with the imperial first, because the majority of my customers were older. The labels were a mere 100 x 25mm, but I used that format because it was appreciated.

Nowadays, I suspect the metric might come first, but both would still be there.

Those of you saying conversion is easy are missing the point, but to keep you happy, "Yes, it is!"

See? I'm an ex-trader, I want to please everyone. :A

-taff

AdrianC wrote: »

What are "stones" used for in engineering?

To build walls?

AdrianC

Davesnave wrote: »

When I was selling, my labelling was in imperial and metric, with the imperial first, because the majority of my customers were older. The labels were a mere 100 x 25mm, but I used that format because it was appreciated.

Not 4" x 1"?

So which is a higher priority? Clarity and legibility of the floorplan, by not covering it in numbers, or saving a small percentage of the likely buyers from having to join the current century?

I'd suspect more people would pass semi-interesting details by because of a cluttered and illegible plan, than because their preferred measurements weren't on it.

Pixie5740

I wish the UK would go fully metric. I'm an engineer so I'm used to working in both metric and imperial units but driving in mph yet buying petrol in litres seems daft. Likewise, spirits and wine are measured in ml at the pub yet beer is still bought in pints.

I agree with AdrianC that having 1 set of measurements on the floorplan is best otherwise you end up with a very cluttered floor plan. Alternatively 2 floorplans could be generated, 1 metric and 1 imperial.